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Security and Virus Protection

Obtaining virus protection

Anti-virus protection is absolutely critical. Viruses can be passed through disks, email, websites, networks, and more. New viruses come out every day, meaning that having obtaining virus protection also means routinely updating your software with new "virus definitions".

SO WHICH ONE? While Pepperdine University avoids making recommendations of specific brands, it should be noted that Pepperdine offers the Officescan virus scanner from Trend Micro. Servers, including your Pepperdine email and staff and lab machines are also protected by the Trend Micro virus scanner. Pepperdine has also been a heavy user of McAfee VirusScan in the past.

SO WHERE? 

• The Trend Micro virus scanner is available to students. It can be downloaded at http://law.pepperdine.edu/lcs/antivirus.
• The Pepperdine University WaveNet Computer Store offers software such as virus scanners: http://www.pepperdine.edu/it/techdeck/products/software.htm.
• Anti-virus protection--particularly updates to your purchased scanner--can often be downloaded from the Internet. See, for example, http://www.mcafee.com or http://www.norton.com.
• Virus scanners can also be purchased in most computer, electronic, and office supply stores.

BE INFORMED!: "Update subscriptions". When purchasing virus protection, you may be asked to purchase a year of "virus updates" or "updated definitions". These things are very important! However, virus definitions--the more critical thing you need to keep updated--can usually be downloaded from the scanner creator's website for free. What you are purchasing with that "year of updates" is the capability of setting up your computer to automatically install updates every time you connect to the Internet, which can be invaluable nowadays when new viruses come out every day. Particularly if you connect to the Internet often, or if you feel you may forget to download virus definitions frequently, we recommend that you purchase the updates.