Safe Computing - Antivirus Software

Whenever you open an email attachment or download a file from the Internet, you are in danger of getting a virus on your computer.  A virus is a piece of programming code usually disguised as something else that causes some unexpected and usually undesirable event.

Viruses can potentially send themselves to everyone else on your email list, damage/delete files and programs on your disk drive, or install hidden programs that allow an intruder to remotely control your computer.  This is why it is very important that you install anti-virus software.  Once installed, be sure to keep it updated.  Antivirus developers continually release updates or virus definitions that help catch new viruses.  Faculty, staff, and campus lab computers have antivirus software installed and should automatically update.