To activate the Windows XP firewall, follow the instructions below:

1. Click Start, click Run, type firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
2. On the General tab, click On (recommended), and then click OK.

If you have multiple network connections on your computer (ethernet, wireless, etc.) make sure they are all protected by the Windows firewall by following these additional steps:

3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Place a check mark next to each network interface.
5. Click OK.

Once you complete these steps, your computer will be protected by the WinXP firewall.

1. Under the apple menu, select System Preferences
2. Click Software Update
3. Click Check Now
4. Click Install

Email hoaxes/scares often have some of the following characteristics:

• They describe the payload of a nasty virus. The descriptions are often quite extreme, outlining horrible scenarios of data loss.
• They use technical-sounding language to give the impression that the sender really knows what he is talking about. The name of a major company, like Microsoft or Symantec, might be thrown in to add weight to the “seriousness” of the warning.
• They use common, everyday language to make it seem as if someone “just like you” got hit by a nasty virus.
• They tell you to delete a specific file from your computer.
• They tell you to forward the message to everyone you know so they can protect themselves or so you can earn money.

If you ever receive a message like this, don’t forward or reply to it! You will simply extend the life of the hoax. Also, do not delete any files from your computers. If in doubt about the veracity of a particular message, do a Web search about it or contact Help Desk. Additionally, if a strange email message comes with an attachment that purports to help you clean a virus, never open it. It is likely that the attachment is a virus. Simply delete the message and attachment.

To read more about hoaxes, visit the Sophos hoax list.

See also: About viruses, Malware.

Viruses usually spread through email, though they can travel on floppy disks, CDs, or any other medium containing infected files. Beyond having up-to-date antivirus software, there isn’t much to do to avoid getting a virus from a floppy disk or CD. However, you can avoid getting viruses via email. If you get an email attachment from a strange address, simply delete the message and the attachment will go with it. If you get an unexpected attachment from someone you know, open it at your own risk. It’s a good idea to confirm with the sender that she actually sent you the attachment before opening it.

See also: Malware, Spam.

About Antivirus Software

The way that antivirus software protects your computer is by distinguishing between legitimate programs (e.g., the Windows operating system, Microsoft Word, and Firefox) and illegitimate programs (i.e., viruses). To make these distinctions, antivirus sofware relies on virus definitions. Since new viruses are created all the time, antivirus software manufacturers constantly update their definitions.

Implication for computer users: You’re only as safe as your latest definitions update. Since the existence of viruses is an unfortunate given, any data loss resulting from virus infection is the fault of the computer user. It is the user’s responsibility to download and install new virus definitions with some frequency (more often being better than less often). At the very least, you should update your definitions once per month.

SLC provides free antivirus software for Windows and for Mac OS X to qualifying members of the college community. Those in other groups may download and use Microsoft Security Essentials (for Windows only).

1. Click on the Start button in the lower left of the screen.
2. Select either “Control Panel” OR “Settings” then “Control Panel.”
3. In the window that comes up, double click “Add or Remove Programs.”
4. On the list in the window that opens, scroll down to the current antivirus program installed on the computer.
5. Highlight the name of the program, then click “Remove.”
6. If prompted, agree to uninstall the application completely.
7. If prompted, reboot the computer once the uninstall has finished.

1. Right click on the blue sun icon in the system tray (lower right of the screen next to the clock).
2. Select “Exit” from the menu that pops up.
3. Click on the Start button in the lower left of the screen.
4. Select either “Control Panel” OR “Settings” then “Control Panel.”
5. In the window that comes up, double click “Add or Remove Programs.”
6. On the list in the window that opens, scroll down to “Remote Update.”
7. Highlight “Remote Update”, then click “Remove.”
8. Click “Next” and Remote Update will begin its uninstall.
9. Click “Finish” to finish the uninstallation.
10. The Add/Remove Programs and Control Panel windows can now be closed.

Sophos Anti-Virus is free to install for current faculty, and staff. These instructions apply only to Mac OS X.

Installing Sophos on Mac OS X

First, uninstall any other antivirus software currently on your computer, for example: Norton, McAfee, AVG. If prompted to reboot the computer, do so.

If you have a previous version of Sophos Anti-Virus, you do not need to uninstall it before proceeding. The old version will be removed and replaced with the new version. Follow these steps.

Students

Here are links to some free Anti-Virus programs

1. Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition (Mac) http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/free-mac-anti-virus/
2. ClamXav (Mac)http://www.clamxav.com/
3. Avast Anti-Virus (Mac & PC) http://www.avast.com

Faculty and Staff

If you have a previous version of Sophos Anti-Virus, you do not need to uninstall it before proceeding. The old version will be removed and replaced with the new version. Follow these steps.

1. In a web browser, go to: http://sophos.slc.edu:81/SophosRemote/savosx70sa.dmg
2. Enter your SLC network username and password (the password you use to log in to campus PCs and access your H: drive). If you do not know this password, please see Help Desk.
3. OS X will mount the drive “Sophos Anti-Virus”.
4. Open this “Sophos Anti-Virus” then double click on the file “Sophos Anti-Virus.mpkg”.
5. Click Continue, continue, continue, continue, select the destination drive, click install, type in your OS X password. This will install the needed files for Sophos. Click close after the software is successfully installed. Once Sophos is installed, a blue shield will appear next to the clock.
6. Click on the sophos icon at the top of your screen then click on Open Preferences.
7. Select the AutoUpdate tab. Click on the lock (lower left corner) to unlock the options with your OS X password.
8. Select “Company web server” and paste the following:
   http://sophos.slc.edu:81/SophosRemote/CIDs/S000/ESCOSX
9. Enter your SLC network username and password (the information you use to log in to campus PCs and access your H: drive) in the User name & password fields.
10. Click Set to confirm the selected options.
11. Sophos will then begin the update process on its own. It will take a few minutes. If you wish to force Sophos to update click on the Sophos shield then click on Update Now.

Periodically, Sophos will update itself in the background. The blue shield icon in the taskbar will flash green while the update is occuring: You must be connected to the internet in order to recieve updates.

Sophos will run a full virus scan at 9 AM and 9 PM daily. The scan runs in the background, and will only give a report if any viruses are found.

Running a full virus scan

1. To run a full system virus scan, first open Sophos by going to the Applications, then Sophos Anti-Virus.
2. The Sophos control panel will open. Select Scan Local Disks.
3. Sophos will scan your computer for viruses.

At the conclusion of the scan, Sophos will report on what it finds.

Some errors may be reported when Sophos cannot read certain files. Those errors are generally nothing to worry about.

Sophos may report that it has shredded, quarantined, or deleted a file. This is good, it has been able to successfully clear you system of that virus.

If you recieve the message that Sophos was unable to deal with a certain file where it found a virus, try restarting the computer and running another scan. If the virus is still unable to be eliminated, contact Help Desk for assistance.

Anti-Virus is free to install for current student,  faculty, and staff. These instructions apply only to Windows 2000, XP, and Vista operating systems.

Installing an Anti-Virus

First, uninstall any other antivirus software currently on your computer, for example: Norton, McAfee, AVG (How do I do this?). If prompted to reboot the computer, do so.

For Students

Here are links to some free Anti-Virus programs

1.      Avast Anti-Virus  (Mac & PC)   http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

2.      Avira Anti-Virus (PC) http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

3.      Microsoft Security Essentials (PC) http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

4.      Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition (Mac) http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/free-mac-anti-virus/

5.      ClamXav (Mac) http://www.clamxav.com/

For Staff and Faculty

If you have a previous version of Sophos Anti-Virus, you do not need to uninstall it before proceeding. The old version will be removed and replaced with the new version. Follow these steps.

1. In a web browser, go to http://sophos.slc.edu:81/SophosRemote/savw_90_sa_sfx.exe.
2. Enter your SLC network username and password (the password you use to log in to campus PCs and access your email). If you do not know this password, please see Help Desk.
3. Choose to Run or Open the file.
4. If prompted with a security warning, click Run.
5. Sophos will begin extracting the files it needs after the download completes.
6. The Sophos installation Wizard will begin. Click Next to start installation.
7. Click Next to install to the default folder.
8. Copy the following link and paste into the Address box to replace the text “Sophos”: http://sophos.slc.edu:81/SophosRemote/CIDs/S000/SAVSCFXP/
9. Enter your SLC network username (as admin\username) and password twice (the information you use to log in to campus PCs and access your email).
10. Click Next to confirm the selected options.
11. Sophos will then begin the installation process. It will take a few minutes.

Once Sophos is installed, a blue shield will appear in your system tray next to the clock.

Periodically, Sophos will update itself in the background. The blue shield icon in the taskbar will flash green while the update is occurring: You must be connected to the internet in order to receive updates.

Sophos will run a full virus scan at 9 AM and 9 PM daily. The scan runs in the background, and will only give a report if any viruses are found.

Running a full virus scan

1. To run a full system virus scan, first open Sophos by going to the Start menu, select All Programs, then Sophos, Sophos Anti-Virus, then select Sophos Anti-Virus.
2. The Sophos control panel will open. Select Set up a new scan.
3. Click the box next to My Computer so a checkbox appears next to it.
4. Click Configure this scan at the bottom of the window.
5. Select Extensive and make sure Scan inside archive files, Scan all files, and Scan for potentially unwanted applications are all checked.
6. On the Cleanup tab, check Automatically clean up items that contain a virus and below, select Delete, and check Automatically clean up potentially unwanted applications.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Save and start.

At the conclusion of the scan, Sophos will report on what it finds.

Some errors may be reported when Sophos cannot read certain files. Those errors are generally nothing to worry about.

Sophos may report that it has shredded, quarantined, or deleted a file. This is good, it has been able to successfully clear you system of that virus.

If you recieve the message that Sophos was unable to deal with a certain file where it found a virus, try restarting the computer and running another scan. If the virus is still unable to be eliminated, contact Help Desk for assistance.

Troubleshooting / FAQ

Why is there a red X over the Sophos icon next to my clock?

If a red X appears over the Sophos icon in the system tray: , an update has failed. Please verify that you are connected to the internet, then double click the shield icon to try the update again. If a “could not connect to server” message appears or the red X persists, right click on the blue shield icon, select Configure Updating, and confirm that the fields are filled in correctly. If you’ve changed your network password, you must update your password in the Sophos Configure Updating screen.

Why is Windows Security Center reporting that my antivirus protection is out of date?

See the answer to #1 above. Also, if you have recently graduated from, withdrawn from, or terminated your employment from Sarah Lawrence, Sophos will no longer update. At this point, you must purchase a commercial antivirus program and subscription.

I have a Mac. Is there antivirus protection for me?

Generally, having an antivirus application installed and running on a Mac is not as crucial as on a PC. Because of the larger market share that Windows PCs hold, viruses generally are not written to exploit Macs, so there is somewhat less of a threat. It is recommended, however, that you install Sophos for OS X. Also, run Software Update regularly and you will avoid most problems.

What if, after installation, Microsoft Anti-Spyware or another program asks if Sophos should be allowed to run or start up with my computer?

If Microsoft Anti-Spyware or any other program that monitors changes to your system asks if Sophos may run or start up, click OK or Yes to allow Sophos to start up and run.

First, make sure you have installed antivirus software. Current students, faculty, and staff, SLC provides Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows and for OS X.

Learn more about viruses.

Stay up to date automatically by enabling automatic updates for XP, Vista, and OS X (Software Update). This will help keep your machine free of viruses and malware.

Windows users, make sure your firewall is enabled.

Protect yourself against other forms of malware. We recommend Spybot and Ad-Aware for all Windows operating systems.

Be cautious online. Do not click OK in every window. Many pop-ups look like legitimate warnings. Learn to spot a virus hoax.