Play It Safe
» Install Symantec Anti-virus and Anti-spyware Tools
Why you should care:
Because malware (spyware, adware, viruses, worms, etc.) is everywhere, a hacker could make your life miserable, data could be destroyed, your identity could be compromised, and you could lose your network privileges.
What you can do:
- Know thy enemy
A computer virus is a program that can copy itself, attach itself to other programs or files, and performs unwanted and unauthorized tasks. Many viruses are created to intentionally damage files or your entire hard drive, whereas others may cause minor annoyances. Unfortunately, even seemingly innocuous viruses can trigger unexpected side effects and system crashes. [ more about Viruses ]
The presence of a virus may not be easily detected and can be widely spread through the sharing of files, disks, and email. In addition to updating your computer's operating system, it is important to protect your computer with an anti-virus program. Brown provides comprehensive anti-virus protection, free of charge, for all its students.
Note that for those who wish to scan their disks, Symantec AntiVirus is installed in the clusters. - Download SAV
Symantec AntiVirus for Windows | Symantec AntiVirus for Macs | documentation
- Don't get own3d! - thwart the spies
If your computer slows down to a crawl, it might not be an infection but spyware instead.
Spyware can hog system resources as it busily tracks your computer activity: gathering information about the web sites that you visit, logging your keystrokes, capturing your passwords, and more. Your computer might be "own3d" (compromised) and now part of a "botnet" (a network of zombie machines used to pirate illegal software, pornography, etc.).
How do get "own3d"? Spyware could be downloaded when clicking on one of those ubiquitous pop-up ads, or when installing other software. Some software license agreements will indicate that installing a product also grants permission to install adware or tracking software on your computer, so understand what you're agreeing to before you click OK.
Windows users should download and install either Windows Defender or Spybot Search & Destroy. This free software lets you scan your computer for spyware and immunize it against potential spyware attacks. Mac users can find products on the Apple site, such as the spyware removal tool MacScan.
- Using wireless? Use a Brown-Secure wireless connection.
Connection instructions for Windows and Macs
- Test your knowledge. Take the Beware of Spyware Quiz:
- Or the Invasion of the Wireless Hackers Quiz:
