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Computer Virus Information
Computer viruses are a constant threat to the campus computing environment. Colorado State University encourages responsible computer use and the use of up-to-date antivirus software to help combat this threat.
In 2000, Colorado State University adopted Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition (SAV), formerly Norton Antivirus, as the standard antivirus program for use on Windows and Macintosh computers.
Symantec no longer supports SAV versions 7, 8 and 9. The currently supported version for Windows and Macintosh is SAV 10. Note that version 10 does not provide support for very old operating system versions (Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, and Mac OS 8 and 9), which is consistent with the Standards for Computing and Networking at Colorado State University.
Obtaining Symantec AntiVirus
For University Owned Computers
Under CSU's site license, members of the CSU community can purchase and license Symantec Antivirus with an educational discount through the campus Software Cellar.
For Personally Owned Computers
Under CSU's site license with Symantec, CSU faculty, staff, and students may install Symantec AntiVirus free of charge on their personal computers. You may download this software from the ACNS Downloads page. Do not distribute this software to anyone who is not affiliated with Colorado State University.
Minimum System Requirements
Microsoft Windows
- Pentium level PC
- Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista
- 64MB RAM (80MB for 64-bit systems)
- 55MB hard drive space (70MB for 64-bit systems)
Apple Mac OS
- PowerPC G3 Processor
- OS X version 10.3
- 192MB RAM
- 40MB hard drive space
Installing Symantec AntiVirus (Self-Help Guides)
Join the CSU Virus Email Listserv
CSU maintains an email list for information regarding virus threats and antivirus product updates. To join the list:
- Go to Mailing Lists (listserv) Web page.
- Click the 'Subscribe to a non-course-related listserv' link.
- Under 'Choose a mailing list' select 'Virus'.
- Fill out your email information and submit your request to join the list.
Virus Prevention Tips
- Practice safe computing. Use Symantec AntiVirus' RealTime Protection feature to scan floppy disks, your hard drive and downloaded files. Use Symantec AntiVirus's LiveUpdate feature to keep your antivirus software up to date.
- Treat all email attachments as potential virus threats. Never open an attachment by double clicking it. Always save it to your hard drive and open it from within the corresponding application, such as Microsoft Word for .doc files.
- If you're not expecting an attachment, call or reply to the sender before opening it to make sure they intended to send it to you and know what it is. Delete any attachment you cannot verify with the sender. Newer viruses can mail themselves using a person's email address book
- If you have any doubts at all, delete the mail message and ask the sender to give you the attachment on disk or via the Web.
- Back up regularly. Even the rules above cannot keep you completely safe. When a new virus appears it can take a day or more for antivirus manufacturers to respond to the threat and make a fix available.
Thanks to Peter C.S. Adams, University of Massachusetts Boston for these virus prevention tips.
Questions and Support
If you have problems, questions, or concerns regarding any of these procedures, please contact the Computing Help Desk