Using anti-virus

Why should I use an Anti-Virus program?

Whether you use Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris, or another operating system, chances are someone has written a program to attack and exploit it. Viruses are an ever-changing threat that can evolve into a criminal enterprise. Viruses can enter a computer through email, web browsing, file sharing programs (e.g. Bearshare, Morpheusm, Limewire), open vulnerabilities in the operating system or other software, removable media (e.g. CD-ROM, flash drive, thumb drive), and may even come from free programs posing as games or entertainment. What a virus can do varies from popups to destructive deletion of files. Viruses can also be used to steal personal or sensitive data, passwords, usernames, and company data. Using an anti-virus program can help reduce or eliminate these threats and meets one of the minimum security standards as outlined in UCSF policy 650-16, Addendum B.

Where can I get an anti-virus program?

There are many anti-virus solutions. Sophos anti-virus is provided to the UCSF community to help users meet the minimum security requirements. Sophos is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris, and several other operating systems. If you are not already running an anti-virus program visit the OAAIS Sophos page to download and install Sophos (UCSF student or staff ID required).

How do I keep my anti-virus program updated?

Anti-virus programs have two pieces. The first piece is the anti-virus application which scans and protects the computer. The second piece is the virus definitions that the anti-virus application uses to decide if a file is infected. Virus definitions are updated frequently and are the key to protecting a computer from new viruses. The frequency with which new virus definitions are available depends upon when new viruses are detected and deciphered by an anti-virus provider and how dangerous the virus is. The anti-virus application needs to be updated from time to time. Check with your anti-virus provider to determine if there are updates or upgrades. UCSF Sophos users can check the OAAIS Sophos page for updates. The Sophos anti-virus program provided by UCSF for all operating systems is configured to download and install new virus definitions automatically. Contact OAAIS Customer Support for more information.

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Looking for information on specific virus threats?  Take a look at the Sophos threat analysis website.

Did someone send you an email you think might be a hoax?  There are lots of stories and hoaxes that circulate the internet and several websites that maintain a database of these frauds -> Sophos, truthorfiction.com, Hoaxbusters