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Viruses and spyware are a prevalent aspect of today's computing environment that must be acknowledged. There are countless numbers of viruses and related issues, such as spyware, that can reach and infect a computer in a variety of ways.
Because computer viruses and spyware can compromise security, corrupt data, slow down networks, and disrupt the work environment, it is important that every individual take appropriate measures to protect their computer and place of business.
Dartmouth's Peter Kiewit Computing Services currently recommends Symantec AntiVirus software. It is available from the Software Downloads page for installation on both Macintosh and Windows computers.
AntiVirus software can detect and disinfect or quarantine viruses, regardless of whether the file comes from an e-mail enclosure, a CD, or via the Internet. In order for antivirus software to be the most effective, it should be updated regularly and scheduled to automatically check for updates each day. When setting the scheduled update time, be sure to set it for a time that your computer will be consistently on.
For spyware, if your Windows computer does not already have LANDesk Management Suite, Computing Services recommends you talk with your department's computing support office about installing Microsoft's Windows Defender program.
In addition to viruses, you will also find that spam mail, hoax viruses, and e-mail scams are prevalent in today's computing world. These unsolicited e-mails are equivalent to junk mail and do nothing more than clutter up our e-mail In Boxes.
Computing Services currently provides a spam mail filtering option (SpamAssassin) that can help reduce or eliminate these junk e-mails from your e-mail In Box. SpamAssassin settings can be configured using the BlitzMail e-mail client or users of third-party e-mail clients such as Thunderbird can configure SpamAssassin using the settings; see Configuring SpamAssassin Using a Web Browser.
For more information or for instructions on how to configure SpamAssassin, see SpamAssassin.
For general information on viruses and spam, go to http://www.trendmicro.com/en/security/general/virus/overview.htm.
If you are having problems with spam mail or think your computer has a virus, please contact the IT Service Desk (Help Desk) at 646-2999 and select from the options provided, send electronic mail to help@dartmouth.edu, or call your department's IT support office.
For more information related to this topic, see:
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