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Computer Virus Protection
at the University of Michigan
Computer viruses cause numerous problems both for you and the U-M computing
environment. To combat these problems, the University offers a number of
safeguards, including providing — at no cost — excellent commercial
anti-virus software programs.
Table of Contents
FREE! Anti-Virus Software
The first line of defense is maintaining up-to-date anti-virus software on your computer.
To make this as simple as possible, the University provides — at no cost —
excellent commercial anti-virus software to students, faculty,
staff, and U-M Online (UMOL) subscribers. Just download and install it. What could be simpler, cheaper, and more important?
FOR WINDOWS: Get McAfee VirusScan from our Blue Disc Windows download site. You'll need to authenticate using your uniqname and UMICH Kerberos password.
FOR MAC OS: Although there are currently no viruses that can infect Mac OS X, we think you should be prepared. Get Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X from our Blue Disc Mac OS X download site. You'll need to authenticate using your uniqname and UMICH Kerberos password.
Still using Mac OS 9 or earlier? You can obtain Virex 6.1 from the 2005 (or earlier) U-M Blue Disc CD Antivirus folder. Virex 6.1 also protects you when running Classic mode under Mac OS X.
How You're Protected
New viruses appear daily. Once detected, anti-virus software engineers create updated protections and distribute them —
usually within hours. Without these updates, you can — and will — become infected.
We've specially configured the anti-virus software we distribute to check for updates every hour and automatically installs them when found.
You always have the latest protection, and — should a previously undetected virus gotten to your computer — it gets zapped. You don't have to do anything!
Simple Steps To Help Yourself
- Install VirusScan or Sophos Anti-Virus. It's easy — and free — but you'll need to authenticate using your uniqname and UMICH Kerberos password. Please refer to FREE! Anti-Virus Software.
- Never open any e-mail attachment without directly contacting the "sender" — even if it's your
best friend or a relative. Many viruses are distributed through attachments, and it's way too easy for evil virus creators to forge someone's e-mail address.
And don't check by replying to the original e-mail! Send a new message or call.
- Beware downloading free items from the Internet, including those from peer-to-peer file sharing sites like Kazaa. This is another favorite way to distribute viruses.
- Subscribe to our virus alert messages so you'll know right away
if there's a severe virus outbreak within the U-M computing environment and when new protection is available.
What If You Forgot?
If you don't follow the simple steps above, computer viruses will be a fact of life. But all is not lost. We offer several ways to help you remove a virus infection:
- contact the U-M Virus Busters to receive free customized help for your computer's infection.
- call 764-HELP [4357] for free advice from an ITCS consultant.
- take your computer to the U-M Computing Showcase
where — for a charge — they will disinfect it and install the correct anti-virus program.
How the University Helps You
Some of these items have already been mentioned.
- Provides — at no cost — excellent commercial anti-virus software specially configured for U-M.
- Supports the reknowned U-M Virus Busters team.
- Offers free telephone (764-HELP [4357]) and online support through ITCS consultants
and departmental consultants.
- Offers — for a fee — a virus disinfecting service.
- Electronically scans e-mail attachments that pass through
the ITCS e-mail servers for viruses. Of course, neither your e-mail nor the attachment is ever opened or read.
- Provides a variety of online resources concerning computer security issues, including
Additional Resources
Visit ITCS's
Information System to obtain ITCS computer documentation
and other resources.
A list of relevant documents follows:
We welcome your comments; please send e-mail.
ITCS's Online Help Desk provides a variety of computing help resources.
For further help with the anti-virus software provided by the University, send e-mail or
phone (734) 764-HELP.
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