You must protect your PC vigilantly against computer viruses and malware including Trojan horses and spyware because they affect not only the operation of your PC but also the performance of the entire campus network and the Internet. It is your responsibility to do the followings.
Keep your personal firewall turned ON to protect your PC from security threats. Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Firewall is turned on by default. Anti-Virus software with its own firewall program will disable Windows Firewall.
- Perform Windows Critical Update whenever new Critical Update is available (usually in the second week of a month).
- Install anti-virus software on your PC and update your PC with the virus definition file daily, preferably after your PC is started up (to get the latest virus definition).
- Please install Sophos Home Commercial Edition by doing a one-time registration and following the procedure here to complete the installation.
- Install anti-malware software on your PC and update it with the anti-malware definition file regularly. e.g.
- Microsoft Windows Defender – it is part of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
- If your PC is infected with a virus, the virus may disable your PC from accessing anti-virus web sites and so you cannot update your PC with the latest virus definition file. You must use another PC to download the special removal tools and the latest virus definition files (see FAQ).
- Do NOT install peer-to-peer (“P2P”) software because P2P software may auto-download and redistribute other software without authorization and would infringe others’ copyright and make your PC susceptible to network attacks such as port scanning, virus, Trojan horse or spyware.
- Do NOT open suspicious mail or attachment from unknown/suspicious source.
- Do NOT visit suspicious web sites or click on unknown web links.
- Always remember to switch off your PC and monitor when not in use for a prolonged period (e.g. when leaving office or home) to reduce the chance of your PC being attacked and if infected, to attack other computers or the network. This also saves energy and is environmentally friendly by extending the life of the PC.