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Why should you use anti-virus software? Because computer viruses can:
- Delete files, format disks, or affect your computer's general performance.
- Provide hackers access to your computer.
- Make your computer act in unexpected ways, such as exhibiting strange sounds and images or slow startup and performance.
Why should you avoid spyware?
- Spyware can monitor your computer activity, web habits, and even your keystrokes and transmit this information without your knowledge.
- Spyware takes up memory and can slow down your computer or cause other problems.
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To avoid viruses, spyware, and the problems they cause:
All laptop and desktop Windows and Mac computers connected to UCSC's network must run current, up-to-date software to detect viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Windows servers must run current, up-to-date anti-virus software. Anti-virus and anti-spyware sofrware is recommended for other devices where readily available and as appropriate.
- Install anti-virus software on your computer and run daily updates to remove viruses, quarantine and repair infected files, and prevent future viruses.
- Most anti-virus programs can be set to auto-update daily.
- Periodically, check to see if your anti-virus is up to date by opening your antivirus program and checking the "Last updated" date.
- Regularly scan your computer with an anti-spyware program.
- Test your computer for some common viruses at Symantec or McAfee.
- Delete spam and suspicious emails; don't open, forward or reply to them.
- Don't download or install unknown or unsolicited programs or files, click on links in ads, pop-up windows or unsolicited email, open unexpected email attachments, or open IM attachments. These can all infect your computer.
- Back up your important data to separate media (such as a CD, an online back up service, flash drive, or a server) and store it in a safe place.
- See below for free anti-spyware and anti-spyware software for UCSC faculty, staff and students.
Free software for UCSC faculty, staff and students:
GETTING HELP:
Contact the ITS Support Center if you would like your computer configured to meet these requirements. For fastest response, open a request. You can also email help@ucsc.edu or call 459-HELP (4357).
Contact the ITS Support Center or your ITS Divisional Liaison with questions or concerns about any of this information.
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