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Security Information

Virus Protection

Note: This is general virus protection information for computers NOT on the CSUSM network. IITS already takes these precautions for all systems on the CSUSM network.

Computer viruses and worms cause computers to lose data, perform poorly and infect other computers. To prevent worms/viruses from infecting your computer, take these steps to get your computer in good working order:

1. Install latest patches.

Determine if you have a virus/worm and remove it.

3. Install an anti-virus tool.

4. Set up automatic install for future patches.

5. Install personal firewall. (optional)

1. Installing latest patches:
Go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com and install all the critical patches for your system. This will require a reboot and you may have to do it several times to install all the necessary patches.

 

2. Determine if you have a virus/worm and remove it:

Step 1: To see if you are currently infected, use this utility: Symantec  This will remove infected files, but there may still be some cleanup necessary.

Step 2: If you determine in step one that your computer is infected, go back to the Symantec site and get detailed removal instructions.  These instructions will help you remove all remaining parts of the virus/worm.

 

3. Install an anti-virus tool:
If you already have an anti-virus tool and wish to keep running it, make sure that it's configured properly and is receiving updates. If you don't have an anti-virus program or are not sure if the one your running is any good, CSUSM licensed Trend Micro OfficeScan for PC users in the University Village Apartments. Before you install OfficeScan, un-install any other anti-virus software running on your computer. Click on the link below to install OfficeScan. Once you've installed OfficeScan, it will automatically update with the latest virus definition files.

Install Trend Micro OfficeScan

 

4. Set up automatic install for future patches:

Turning On Automatic Updates (Windows XP/2000/ME)

Take advantage of Windows Automatic Updates which can be set up to automatically download the latest Microsoft Security updates to your computer while it is on and connected to the internet. Follow the instructions below to turn on Automatic Updates for your operating system:

Windows XP users:

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel

  2. Click Performance and Maintenance (If the Performance and Maintenance category isn’t visible, click Switch to Category View on the upper left of the window)

  3. Click System to open the System Properties dialog box.

  4. On the Automatic Updates tab check Keep my computer up to date….

  5. Click Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed

  6. Click OK

Windows 2000 users:

  1. Click Start, click Settings, and then click Control Panel

  2. Double Click Automatic Updates

  3. Check Keep my computer up to date….

  4. Click Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed

  5. Click OK

After you setup Automatic Updates, you will see a notification balloon like the one below when new updates are ready to be installed.  Click the notification balloon to install the downloads.

New Updates Are Ready to Install Balloon

Windows ME users:

  1. Click Start, Click Settings, and then click Control Panel

  2. Click Automatic Updates

  3. Click Automatically download updates and notify me when they are ready to be installed

  4. Click OK