Obtain Good Antivirus Software and Keep It Updated

"...The best way to combat virus attacks is to weekly check for then install any critical Microsoft updates and  maintain good anti-virus software".

Penn State provides Symantec Corporate Edition Antivirus software for all students free of charge.  

You may download from ITS or contact your local ResCom desk for a free installation.

 IMPORTANT: You must uninstall any existing antivirus program  before installing the Symantec Antivirus program. You can not have more than one anti-virus program running at the same time
  1. Understanding Viruses
  2. What parents should know
  3. What students should know
 "Don't Lose Data"
"Learn how to protect your computer"
"Maintain good virus protection"

Understanding Viruses:
ResCom is dedicated to helping the residence hall population keep their computers running smooth and virus free. Unfortunately computers viruses have become an everyday problem. All viruses take time, recourses, and different procedures to remove.  

Students living in the residence halls own their computers and are responsible to backup and protect their own data. Many new computers come with anti-virus programs, however these programs are usually "trial versions" of the software. These "trial versions" expire  and leave you vulnerable to virus attacks.

ResCom recommends that you uninstall the anti-virus program you are using and install the free Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition program the University provides.  The software is available on-line for download. The software will not expire and does not require annual subscription fees.  Other antivirus programs may require yearly paid subscriptions on top of the software costs.
  • Read our article of securing your Windows XP/2000 computer
  • Optimally configuring Symantec Antivirus
  • Spyware and Malware removers
  • Configure your music / file sharing programs properly

The most common viruses we see are spread via e-mail attachments.  Click here to read our section on virus infected e-mails.
 

Anti-virus programs require that you update your virus definitions so that they can detect new viruses you may encounter. A virus definition file is a collection patterns used to detect virus activity and how to locate associated files. If this file is old, it will not detect a newer virus or variant of an old one. Always perform a live update first then scan for viruses. Having updated and properly configured software will result in greater security against viruses and security compromise. Please keep in mind, there is no definite procedure to avoid security compromise.

Symantec Antivirus can be configured to automatically update it's definition file by itself.  Please refer to the link at the top of this page, "Optimally Configure my Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition software.


Never install more than one anti-virus program on your computer at a time. They are powerful programs that must insert themselves into your operating system's core. Using more than one will typically cause your computer to crash and be reloaded from scratch.

Using anti-virus is only the first step to avoid security compromise. Your operating system may contain vulnerabilities in which antivirus software will not prevent an attack.  Microsoft, Apple, and other various software vendors release software patches often. Some are recommended updates and others are "critical" updates.  Microsoft publishes weekly critical updates that must be installed to prevent vulnerabilities. Visit the Microsoft update site often and scan your computer for updates.  If you are not sure if your computer is properly configured to receive automatic updates or has the capability to do so, please contact ResCom as our team will be happy to make sure your computer is properly configured.

If any "critical" updates are listed, make sure you install those immediately. If your machine is patched then your level of vulnerability is reduced. "Always" install critical updates. If an update requires you to reboot your computer, return to the Windows site to check for more critical updates. Continue this until you have installed every critical update. It may take several times to complete

Install only what you may want in the recommended updates area (second line shown here).

ResCom does NOT recommend that you install any "driver updates" if listed. Please go to the manufacturer to get any updated software for a component in your computer.


What parents should know:
When you purchase a computer, please remember the computer more than likely has a trial version anti-virus included. You don't have to purchase a subscription to make it a full version because your student is entitled to they Symantec anti-virus product for free that will not expire and is free for them. ResCom will be happy to install it for them or they can download it to install on their own. Current viruses have the ability to e-mail themselves out to people on their contact list and you are probably on that list. If the virus program catches and cleans a virus before sending it to friends or family in your address book, it will save them and you a great deal of problems. Getting a virus that uses bandwidth will result in violations that can not be reversed. Please teach your student how to keep virus free.

Residential students tend to use their Ethernet connection to download music, movies, and software to excess.  Make sure your student is aware that downloading copyrighted materials is illegal and makes everyone's connection slower.

There are limits on the amount of "Internet" only traffic they generate or consume. These limits are enforced and include anything they do on or with the Internet. The biggest reason students go over their bandwidth limits is when they do anything involved with video and sound. Students should not watch TV shows on-line. YouTube video clips are entertaining but watching a lot of them add up fast. Listening to Internet radio won't use as much as video does but still uses a lot of bandwidth.

The most popular reason students go over the bandwidth limits is from of music sharing programs. Many of these programs operate in the background even if they don't have the program open. In many cases, if it is loaded on their machine, it will consume bandwidth as long as their computer is on. Have them turn off their computer when not in front of it. Even better, don't load these programs in the first place. They can and will loose their connection for the rest of the semester if they don't read anything or don't do anything to prevent a violation. Everything in moderation. We advise students to purchase their music CD's and movie DVD's or bring them from home instead of downloading them over our networks.   

Important:  Students are responsible for backing up their own data.  ResCom will not backup student data. It is a students responsibility to have and use their own backup scheme to preserve their data in case of a catastrophe. ResCom will not contribute to piracy of copyrighted materials.     

 
Corporations or companies in general, may not see viruses like the ones seen in the residence halls because companies have more rules about the use of the internet in the workplace. Often companies have enterprise wide virus protection on their e-mail and file servers almost eliminating the threat of viruses. They are cleaned as they appear on the server before the person ever checks their email or opens a file. Auxiliary and Business Services at University Park campus protects over 700 computers with Symantec enterprise anti-virus software. It has proven to be a tremendous value to us by saving us money and downtime. 

Students living in residence halls are connected through a Ethernet network 24 / 7. This is unlike the occasional connection from a home modem.  On campus, e-mail and AOL Instant Messenger are communication lifelines of students.  If one student gets infected with an auto emailing virus, it can automatically emails itself to everyone in their contact list. Those students not protected with updated definitions files, could get infected. Hundreds, even thousands of people can get infected within hours. Hackers that create viruses know that students in universities don't protect themselves very well and don't care much about security.  So hackers exploit it.  

"The best way to combat virus attacks is to weekly check for then install any critical Microsoft updates and  maintain good anti-virus software."  
Damage to files can occur from just about any computer problem. It could be related to viruses, hardware problems or even software glitches. Data loss can be minimized if the student has a plan and a way to back up their personal files.  Performing backups of your school papers and projects will save countless hours if files are lost or corrupted.  We suggest that when you purchase a computer, you should install some kind of backup media such as a CD or DVD burner, external hard drive or other method of choice.  


What residence hall students need to know:
Every student using a Ethernet connection in the residence halls is bound by the Housing connection agreement. When you register for and use the Ethernet connection in your room, the connection agreement applies. Please take the time to read it. The connection agreement  specifies the  Bandwidth Limits imposed on each connection. To prevent from violating these policies you must configure your computer properly and secure it from compromise. Check out the tech support page to configure your music / file sharing programs. Watching TV, YouTube video and use of music sharing programs are the biggest reason students go over the bandwidth limits. Every music / file sharing program needs configured as soon as you install it. www.rescom.psu.edu/pages/pctechsupport.htm.

You "own" the computer you bring to school. Therefore you are responsible for the programs loaded on it and how the computer is configured. Please take the time to learn about the programs you load and ask ResCom questions when in doubt. We would rather talk to you before or just after you load a new program rather than seeing you violate the policy. It only affects the student when a violations is enforced.

ResCom is a free service offered to resident hall students.  We will be happy to try and help any way we can.  It is the student's decision to have ResCom work on their computer and your financial responsibility if you take your computer to be repaired off campus with a professional. 

Penn State students are entitled to an educational discount on Microsoft software and other software.  For more details visit the Penn State's Computer Store.  

Students need to educate themselves about virus protection. ResCom fields thousands of requests to remove viruses from student computers. Most computers get infected through email. Students need to avoid clicking on unfamiliar emails. Use of good anti-virus software is essential. 

Students living off campus are just as susceptible to viruses as anyone else . If you haven't updated your definition file or turned off your anti-virus protection because you believe it slows down your computer, it is only a matter of time before getting infected.

Symantec Anti-Virus software is available free for Penn State students.  Make sure that only one anti-virus program is installed on your computer.  ResCom can uninstall your previous anti-virus software and install Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition for you.


Penn State Auxiliary and Business Services

For information about The Pennsylvania State University Ethernet Request Form,
please contact: rescom@psu.edu.

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This page was last updated on Saturday, January 14, 2006.
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