If a virus or spyware is found on your computer, you can remove it yourself by following the instructions on the vendor’s website. If you have any older antivirus software you must uninstall it prior to installing a new A/V product.

Students must install their own software if it did not come installed when the computers was purchased.

If you’re experiencing a virus/spyware infection please contact the IT Service Desk immediately, do not attempt virus removals yourself. We do not encourage sensitive users or users with sensitive data (such as social security numbers, passport photos, etc.) to remove viruses themselves.

Faculty and staff have computers that are managed by the IT Department, the updates and scanning are done automatically.

In addition, if they remove something which was necessary for your PC there are often a quarantine area where you can restore files from. Typically, these products will allow you to run a scan and then prompt for the removal of infections. Often these scans can slow down your PC and occasionally take lengthy amounts of time to complete, however they can remove unwanted viruses and spyware which can cause pop-ups and security threats. Depending on what product you’re using for virus/spyware removal we recommend that you run monthly security scans with products like System Endpoint Protection Center, Windows Defender, or Avast antivirus. Both Windows and Macs can get infections. The IT Service Desk recommends antivirus software as well as an antispyware solution to combat today's viruses/malware.

Should i run windows defender and avast