Any computer connecting to LetNet from on campus or via remote connections must have an approved antivirus product installed with current definitions.
University-owned Computers
All university-owned computers are protected by Windows Defender or Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection. If you have any questions about whether your university-provided computer is protected, please call the Information Technology (IT) Help Desk at x3500.
Personal Computers
It is your responsibility to make sure that your personal computers are protected from viruses. They best way to do this is to make sure you are running antivirus software with current virus definitions.
We recommend avoiding "Security Suite"-type products as they will often attempt network scans and other aggressive actions which may cause your computer to be detected as a potential problem on the LETU network.
Microsoft Security Essentials (free for Windows 7) or Microsoft Defender (included automatically with Windows 8 and beyond) are the recommended solutions. Any additional antivirus suites installed by your laptop or computer manufacturer (such as McAfee Internet Security, etc) should typically be uninstalled unless you understand computer security services and have specific reasons for running more complex products.
Recommended Antivirus Products:
- Microsoft Security Essentials (use this or Windows Defender whenever possible on Windows machines; it's built-in and FREE)
Symantec (No longer recommended due to frequent security issues)- McAfee (No longer recommended due to the larger McAfee security suite behaving poorly on larger networks)
Only products listed here are considered adequate for purposes of satisfying the requirements of the LetNet policies. You may install any antivirus program on your computer as long as it is able to keep your computer virus free. If your computer experiences an infection while running an antivirus program not listed above, we will recommend that you install one of these programs before performing extensive troubleshooting.
Virus Hoaxes
As the number of viruses has increased, so have the number of virus hoaxes. LetNet users should not forward virus warnings they receive to anybody. It is IT's job to review and distribute virus warnings if necessary. Virus warnings that come from others sources should be ignored.
Virus Infections
Computers that are identified by IT as being virus-infected will be quarantined or disconnected from the network without prior notice. For all personal computers, it is the responsibility of the owner to clean the infected computer. For students living in the residence halls, IT may recommend having your computer professionally disinfected by one of several available local repair shops. For first-time infections, IT will reactivate your computer on the network based on your word that you have cleaned your computer of all infections. On any repeat infections, you will be required to provide proof (a receipt) of professional disinfection. If you are unable to obtain virus disinfection from a professional, you will need to provide a signed note from the person who cleaned your computer.
An excellent cleaning utility is Malwarebytes Antimalware. Download the free version, choose not to get the free 30-day premium trial during installation, and run a Quick Scan. This will remove most infections 9 times out of 10.
For university-owned computers, IT will be responsible for cleaning all viruses.