VIRUSES & SPYWARE
Computer viruses
are software programs that install themselves on your computer without your knowledge or
consent and have the capability to replicate. Most viruses also have other
effects, ranging from mildly annoying to highly destructive. Viruses are typically transmitted
via email or shared document or PDF files. Malware (also known as spyware and parasiteware) is very similar except it does not replicate itself.
ITS has been advising Smith students, faculty, and staff to install McAfee VirusScan to protect their personal and office computers from viruses and malware - but that has changed.
If you have a Windows computer, we now strongly recommend switching to Microsoft Security Essentials. Security Essentials is free, simple to install, and easy to use. It also uses fewer system resources than VirusScan and updates itself automatically.
Smith's McAfee site license expires in late June 2013. If you don't switch to Security Essentials by then, your copy of McAfee VirusScan will continue to function for the next several months, but ITS will no longer be supporting it. Staff and faculty with Smith-issued PCs are strongly urged to migrate from McAfee to Microsoft Security Essentials before the start of the fall semester.
Windows 7, XP, and Vista users:
- If you currently use McAfee VirusScan, we've created a program that automatically uninstalls VirusScan and replaces it with Security Essentials. You'll find instructions and links in the top part of Smith software page.
- If you currently use a different anti-virus program and want to switch to Security Essentials, be sure to manually uninstall the other AV program first. You can then install Security Essentials directly from the Microsoft download page.
- Once the program is installed, don't forget to set your weekly scan time.
- Double-click the castle icon in the lower right corner of your screen to open the program.
- Click on the Settings tab, then choose your preferred day and time for a weekly scan. Note that the scan cannot run if the computer is turned off, so we advise picking a time when it is likely to be on but not actively in use, such as your lunch hour on a weekday.
- Save your changes and you're done.
- Double-click the castle icon in the lower right corner of your screen to open the program.
Mac users: If you are using OS 10.6 or higher, you already have some virus and malware protection built into your operating system. If you would like to take additional precautions, ClamXav is a popular free anti-virus solution for the Mac that you can download here: http://www.clamxav.com
Note: If your computer seems bogged down and is running very slowly, use the following rapid-removal tools to clear parasiteware and other unwanted and unneeded programs from your system:
- CCleaner
- MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
- Spybot Search & Destroy
To download any of these programs, visit the Smith software page.
