UCSF School of Pharmacy

Step 1: Get anti-virus software

Installing anti-virus software is a required step in ensuring computer security.

What is anti-virus software?

When properly configured, anti-virus software protects your computer from computer viruses.

Why do I need anti-virus software?

If your computer doesn't have properly configured anti-virus software, it could:

spread viruses to people listed in your address book
spread worms to other computers in your network or anywhere on the Internet
allow intruders to record your keystrokes or view or delete your data

-- all without your knowledge.

You have a responsibility to your community -- only you can prevent viruses from spreading from your own computer! See How Computer Viruses Work.

Does your computer have anti-virus software?

Not Sure	Ask the company or person you bought it from or consult a knowledgeable friend. Compare a list of Mac Anti-Virus Products or Windows Anti-Virus Products with programs you find on your computer. Windows users: See Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.
Yes	Congratulations! Proceed to Step 2: Update your anti-virus software.
No	Entering students: You can install Sophos Anti-Virus from the CD-ROM we provide to you at no charge during Orientation. Until then: Windows users: Install Grisoft's AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. You'll need to uninstall it before installing Sophos Anti-Virus when you arrive on campus. Mac users: Just keep your OS X firewall on. (Details in Step 4: Set up a firewall.) Continuing students: Download and install Sophos Anti-Virus (download requires VPN), which is available to the UCSF community at no charge through a site license. Proceed to Step 2: Update your anti-virus software.

Help? Feedback?

Try asking your question in the Craigslist computer forum. To provide feedback for this page, send the URL and your comments to Web & Data Services Manager Frank Farm at farmf@pharmacy.ucsf.edu.

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Go To: Computer Security

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Computer Security

Overview

Step 1: Get anti-virus software

Step 2: Update your anti-virus software

Step 3: Ensure that your computer is free of viruses

Step 4: Set up a firewall

Step 5: Install operating system updates

Step 6: Install Microsoft Office updates

Step 7: Remove spyware

Step 8: Finish