AntiVirus Information

A computer virus is a piece of code intentionally written to cause damage to software or data files or to attempt to take control of a computer's resources to use it for malevolent purposes. Viruses execute on a given trigger, such as;

• • running a program
  • opening an email
  • or even simply visiting a particular website

ISS recommend that you use Microsoft Defender on personal Windows devices as an end-point security solution.

All personal computing devices that contain DCU data must have an end-point security application installed that offers real-time scanning protection to files and applications running on the target system.

This includes personal mobile phones and tablets using iOS or Android. The following apps are recommended to install in no particular order.

• McAfee
• Norton
• Avira 
• TotalAV
• Bitdefender

University Policy states that everyone in DCU is equally obliged to exercise due care and vigilance in combating the virus threat. It is in every ones interest to protect the information on their computers as some viruses can do irreversible damage such as deleting files.

Email

Information Systems Services have invested in comprehensive anti-virus scanning systems to ensure that all email entering and leaving College is scanned for known viruses and infected emails are quarantined or deleted where appropriate. Additionally, some file extensions which are known to be associated with viruses are blocked by the College Mail system.

Computers

McAfee VirusScan Enterprise combines antivirus, antispyware, firewall, and intrusion prevention technologies to proactively detect and remove malware. It reduces the cost of managing outbreak responses, stops zero-day threats, and mitigates the window of vulnerability—the time between the discovery of a vulnerability and when fixes are deployed

ISS constantly monitor the DCU Network for evidence of virus infections. Where a computer is identified as having a virus which may spread to other computers on the network, ISS may disable the computers network connection.

Users who suspect that their network point has been disabled for this reason should contact the ISS Service Desk. Once ISS support staff have confirmed that the machine is clear of infection the computers network connection will be enabled again.

All computing devices that contain DCU data must have an end-point security application installed that offers real-time scanning protection to files and applications running on the target system.

This includes personal mobile phones and tablets using iOS or Android. The following apps are recommended to install in no particular order.

• McAfee
• Norton
• Avira 
• TotalAV
• Bitdefender

Please contact ISS if you have any queries.

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Windows Defender

If you have Windows 10 or 11, you’ll get the latest antivirus protection with Windows Defender.

When you start up Windows for the first time, Windows Defender is on and actively helping to protect your PC by scanning for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats.

Windows Defender uses real-time protection to scan everything you download or run on your PC.

Schedule a scan in Windows Defender

Windows Defender regularly scans your PC to help keep it safe. If you want to set your own scan schedule:

1. Search for and open Schedule tasks.
2. In the left pane, expand Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows and then scroll down and double-click the Windows Defender folder.
3. In the top-center pane, double-click Windows Defender Scheduled Scan.
4. Select the Triggers tab, and then select New.
5. Set your time and frequency, and then select OK.