Protecting against Viruses and Spyware |
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Back to Technical FAQ |
Step |
Issue |
Recommendations |
1 |
Firewall, Windows Updates and Antivirus |
Go to http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp and follow the instructions on their website to install/configure
You can read more about securing your computer at http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.mspx . |
2 |
Popups |
Install a free popup blocker like http://toolbar.google.com. If you have Windows XP SP2, you do not need to install this, since it already includes a popup blocker. |
3 |
Spyware |
Install an anti-spyware program such as Windows Defender from Microsoft (free, http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx). Faculty and Staff should install Webroot SpySweeper from our SSO downloads area (recommended). |
- If you are a faculty, staff or graduate student at the Computer Science department, you can download Symantec Antivirus software from SSO using your UNIX login and password.
- The following is a well compiled checklist for securing Windows at home http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/220. We strongly recommend you go through this list.
General Guidelines
- Make regular backups of your data and check that these were successful. CD recorders and DVD recorders are good ways to store your backup data.
- Check your disk and defrag regularly (Windows XP links below)
- To check your disk for errors go to
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315265&Product=winxp - To defrag your computer go to
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314848&Product=winxp
- To check your disk for errors go to
- Subscribe to an email alert service that warns you about new viruses and security updates. For example,
- Save any Word files in Rich Text Format (RTF) as opposed to DOCs. RTF files do not support the macro language and cannot carry viruses.
- For Excel spreadsheets the equivalent format is CSV.
- When emailing documents paste the text from the document into the body of your email wherever possible.
- Tell anyone you deal with that you would rather receive RTF or CSV files.
- Do not run or download executable files from the internet or any attached to an email.
- Ideally you should not allow the emailing or receipt of games, etc.
- You should not download games etc. from websites.
- Microsoft does not send patches or updates via email. Any such message and related file attachment is probably an attempt to compromise the security of your system.
- Change your CMOS bootup sequence so that rather than booting from drive A: if a floppy is left in the machine it will boot by default from drive C:. If you do need to boot from a floppy disk the CMOS can easily be switched back.
- Write-protect floppy disks before inserting them into other users' computers.
- Any floppies used on computers must be virus checked first.