Information about antivirus software

Important Security Information

• Without an Antivirus software your computer can become severely infected. These infections can install programs, steal information, slow down, and limit your access to the Internet and other aspects of your computer.
• Although you have an Antivirus on your computer please understand that your computer may still become infected.
• The University requires all computers that connect to the UW-Platteville campus network (wired or wireless) have up to date Antivirus software and virus definitions installed.
• University-owned computers must contain specific versions of Antivirus software as noted in the required software for University owned computers document.

Antivirus

• A few free Windows antivirus options for students, staff, and faculty include, but are not limited to:
  • Windows Security - Antivirus already built into Windows
  • Avast! Free
  • Avira Antivirus
  • AVG Free
• A few free Mac antivirus options for students, staff, and faculty include, but are not limited to:
  • Avira Antivirus
  • AVG Free
  • Avast! Free
• Please note: It is not safe to install two antivirus programs on your computer at the same time. This can interfere with all functions of your computer. Installing an anti-malware application such as Malwarebytes along with the built-in Windows Security can be beneficial, however.

Malware Removal

• ITS uses a few useful programs to remove harmful programs and files from computers.
  • Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a scanning tool which finds and removes infected files from your machine. Download the Free Version of Malwarebytes.
  • CCleaner is a free tool that can be used to clean up the files on your Windows PC. Download CCleaner at CCleaner.com
• As with any free software, please read installation dialogs carefully so as to not install software add-ons.  Software vendors often provide free versions by bundling additional sponsor software with their own.

*Most new laptops or desktop systems come with trial versions of antivirus software. These trial versions work well but do expire. When they do, you can install a new, no cost antivirus program from the above mentioned sites.

Need help?

If you have questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 608.342.1400 or helpdesk@uwplatt.edu.  You may also visit the Help Desk on the first floor of the Karrmann Library.