PCSC
Boston University
 

KEEP YOUR COMPUTER SAFE

Every day the IT Help Center helps people whose computers have been badly damaged by viruses and other malware. These problems are severe, but easily preventable. Follow these steps to help protect your computer.

  1. Install anti-virus software (free for the BU community).
    Anti-virus software is required on the BU Campus Network. BU has a site license for McAfee's VirusScan Enterprise for PCs and Macs, so you can download those packages for free. Whatever anti-virus software you use, make sure it is set to perform daily Automatic Updates.
  2. Remove malware (spyware and adware)
    Adware or spyware may have been installed on your PC without your knowledge. Learn what it is, how to detect it, and how to delete it.
  3. Use firewalls on both Macs and PCs.
  4. Windows users: run all Windows updates
    Microsoft software is frequently targeted by virus writers, and so Microsoft software is constantly being updated or "patched" to defend against security problems. Microsoft Windows Update by checks for the latest security patches and notifies you when an update is ready. Don't ignore these alerts!

    Macintosh users: be careful out there
    Although most current viruses are Windows-specific, Macintosh viruses do exist. Be sure to use a good anti-virus program such as McAfee VirusScan, which is free to BU students, faculty, and staff. To learn more about security issues on the Macintosh, please see the Apple Product Security page and the SecureMac page.

    Also, if you run Windows on your Macintosh, even if only occasionally, please take a moment to read this important security advisory.
  5. Be careful when opening e-mail attachments

    Boston University's mail servers contain filters that block viruses as soon as possible. However, there may be a window of time in which viruses get through to you before they are discovered and blocked.

    Please do not open e-mail attachments from unknown sources, and please avoid opening unexpected attachments, even from senders known to you.

  6. If your computer is infected with a virus (or if you think it might be), follow our removal instructions.

Also of interest...

Be aware of alerts and hoaxes
Read about the impact of the latest viruses and how to manage them. Also learn about virus hoaxes and how to avoid spreading hoax messages.

Filter unwanted mail (Spam)

Learn about blocked e-mail attachment types
Certain types of attachments will be blocked by the central mail servers. Review this page for more information.

Read Boston University's Safe Computing Guidelines
These guidelines provide information about protecting yourself from viruses and worms, no matter what type of computer you use. If you use Microsoft Windows, be sure to follow the link to BU's Windows Security Resources (including the CheckPC utility).