Print this page
Technology

Viruses/Spyware


Today's internet environment is awash with potential infection. To keep clean, good practices and solid anti-virus software are a must. Without them we must battle viruses after infection and although not impossible, virus removal is much more difficult and time-consuming than prevention.

Antivirus Software

At the School of Law we insist on some form of anti-virus software installed on your computer. NYU provides, free of charge, Symantec Antivirus. The latest version can be downloaded from NYUHome (after you sign in, click "Ask ITS" and then click "Anti-virus & Anti-Spyware Software"). This corporate edition of Symantec does not have a subscription run-out date so you won't have to pay for subscription fees. The default settings for this installation include automatically updating your virus definitions when connected to the internet.

To install Symantec Anti-virus and ensure the definitions are up-to-date:

1.   Download Symantec Anti-Virus installer to your computer
2.   Disconnect from the Internet
3.   Uninstall your current Anti-Virus software and reboot if necessary.
4.   After restarting, run the install file with all the defaults selected.
5.   Once installed, connect to the internet and continue to run LiveUpdate to get your latest virus definitions.

If you have Symantec already installed and wish to check if you have the latest virus definitions, simply get online and run LiveUpdate. To run LiveUpdate, double-click on the Symantec icon in your system tray, click Live Update, and select Next. This should ensure you have the latest virus definitions and software updates for your anti-virus.

Spyware/Malware

In addition to battling viruses there is software that scans more explicitly for adware, spyware and other more ambiguous malware. Since the definition of what comprises malware isn’t always agreed upon by software manufacturers and since the catalogue of malware is constantly evolving, one piece of anti-malware software usually won’t find everything on your system.

In cases of infection we can recommend any of the following pieces of anti-malware software to help clean your system. While these aren’t the only pieces of software on the market, they are known, trusted and effective:

If you suspect your computer is infected it is good to scan your machine with at least one of these products in addition to a Full System Scan with Symantec Antivirus. It is also suggested to scan your computer from Safe Mode since any running infections in regular mode may not be deleted. To enter Safe Mode, reboot your computer and keep pressing the F8 key until bootup options appear. Select "Safe Mode" and press 'Enter'. Then press 'Enter' to select your version of Windows. You may then run your scan(s) from there.

Other Best Practices

Here are some effective tips to secure your computer from the hazards of the internet:

  • Install all security updates for your operating system and software.
  • Use a more secure browser than Internet Explorer, like Mozilla Firefox. You can be sure to download the latest version by going to www.getfirefox.com.
  • Don’t open attachments in emails, even from friends, unless you expect them. If their machine is infected, it may be sending you an infected attachment. Simply contact them back to ensure that this is something they intended to send to you.
  • The same goes for instant messaging links and attachments. Don’t click on links or pictures coming from friends’ IM accounts unless you know specifically what they’re sending you.
  • Be wary of popup windows. Especially if you go to non-mainstream websites and pop-up windows abound, don’t click on them. Right-click on the item in your task bar and select 'Close' from the context menu. Any part of the pop-up window that you click on may be capable of installing malware. Mostly they are links to advertisements, but ultimately much of malware comes from the advertising industry.
  • Other sites to be wary of include those advertising free content. Free screensavers and desktop backgrounds are prime examples of sites that malware developers may target or spoof in order to infect your computer.

top of page