Security

Symantec AntiVirus

On behalf of the Johns Hopkins Institutions, IT@Johns Hopkins has licensed Symantec Endpoint Protection, available for Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.  Symantec Antivirus, the previous generation product, is also available for Windows-based systems and some Mac systems.

Johns Hopkins faculty, staff, and students may use this web site to download and use Symantec products on computers owned by the University or Health System, or on personally-owned computers, as long as they remain part of the Johns Hopkins community.  Personal use of the software must cease when the faculty member, staff member, or student leaves the University or Health System.

Download access is restricted to those with a valid JHED (Johns Hopkins Enterprise Directory) LID (login ID) and password. [Learn More]

Installation and setup information for new Symantec Antivirus users
(Uninstalling Competing Products, Installing and Configuring SAV, Symantec Antivirus Automatic Updates, Home Users)

More Symantec Antivirus Information

News/Alerts

  

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Current Virus Alert!: "Here you have" email worm (aka W32.Imsolk.B@mm)

Last Updated 12 September 2010 (removal tool available)

Malware Information and Advice

Malicious software include viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware and similar threats. "Malware" can slow down your computer or network access, steal private information, or be used by hackers to attack other machines.  It can be spread by opening e-mail attachments, visiting websites, using infected USB flash drives, CDs, or DVDs, or by installing disguised video players, playing infected media files, or even using purported anti-malware programs. Even careful and conscientious users can have malware on their computers. If you suspect that you have installed malware, you should:

  1. Ensure that your Windows operating system has been recently updated.
  2. Ensure that your anti-virus software is installed, working and up-to-date. Antivirus software and support information is provided at:
    http://it.johnshopkins.edu/antivirus/downloads.html
  3. Ensure that you have updated other programs such as Adobe Acrobat Reader (for PDF files), Java, Microsoft Office, Adobe Flash. Most computers that are managed by a desktop group at Hopkins maintain appropriate patch levels.
  4. Install and run an anti-malware tool, such as Malwarebytes, AdAware, SpyBot, ComboFix, Windows Defender, or Hitman Pro.  (NOTE: If your computer is supported by your local IT support professional or LAN Administrator, contact them first to check for and repair malware infections -- they may have increased rights to manage or install software on your system.)

Even if you do all of the above, you may still have malware installed on your machine. Here are three common and potentially damaging malware types that should be removed if found (more information is available on each of the links): Torpig, Conficker, and Antivirus 2010.


More Computer Security Information

For more information about Symantec Antivirus that you cannot find here or on the company's web site, or if you are on the Johns Hopkins networks and cannot download software, please e-mail Desktop Computing Services.