Anti-virus FAQs

Last Updated: 06/18/08
IS&T Associate Provost/Information Security

Is the privacy of my workstation compromised when I install Symantec antivirus software and it is centrally managed?
Not at all. The automatic software updates are made by machines - University servers - not individuals.

Can I install antivirus software on my computer without uninstalling my current version?
Whether you need to uninstall, or not, depends on the software currently installed on your machine. Follow these guidelines to be safe:

Do NOT uninstall if:
-your current antivirus software is Symantec (and the version is 7.6.0 or newer). The upgrade process will automatically remove any existing software.

Uninstall if:
-your current antivirus software is Symantec (and the version is older than 7.6.0) or,
-your current software is from a vendor other than Symantec (MacAfee, Trend Micro, Panda, etc).

If you question whether or not you currently have an antivirus software installed on your machine, contact the Help Center (404-413-4357) for advice.

Can I install Symantec antivirus software on my home machine?
Yes, but you will need to remove any other installed antivirus programs prior to doing so.

Will I notice when an automatic update, or a scan, takes place?
No, automatic updates are not visible to the individual user. It is, however, important to know when your machine is scheduled to scan or update in order to confirm that your computer is turned on during the process. Scans and updates only occur when the machine is on.

How long does a scan take?
A scan can take up to an hour or more, depending on the setup of your individual computer.

Which version of antivirus software should I have installed on my Windows system and how do I check to find out which version I’m running?
You can find out which version you’re currently running by ‘double-clicking’ the gold shield at the bottom right of your taskbar. Look at the Program Versions box to determine which version of the program you are running (see below):

We periodically update the antivirus software program and so you should check every 6-9 months for new versions available on this site for download.
If you are on a Mac computer and have Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh installed, you can also click on the gold shield at the bottom of your computer screen and the Product version will be displayed.)

How do I know if my antivirus protection is up to date?
Double-click on the gold shield at the bottom right of your taskbar once to view the Virus Definitions File Version. As in the screenshot displayed above, the last date that your virus signatures were updated will appear. If the date displayed is over 72 hours old, click on the live update button and update your antivirus protection to the most current available. While we automatically update your antivirus protection, on occasion you may find that the update process didn’t take place and need to run a live update.

(If you are on a Mac computer and have Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh installed, you can also click on the gold shield at the bottom of your computer screen and the Virus Definitions File date will be displayed. If the date is over 72 hours old, click on the live update button to update your software to the most current protection available.)

What if I don't know which antivirus software, if any, is currently installed on my machine?
help@gsu.edu). A technician will help you determine what (if any) antivirus software is currently installed on your machine.

If you have questions, or need assistance, please contact the Help Center (404-413-4357 or email help@gsu.edu)

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