Student Antivirus Software Requirement

Effective immediately, all Windows and Macintosh computers connected to the University Network (via ResNet, dial-up, or wireless) must be running up-to-date antivirus software. If you do not have antivirus software, the University can provide it at no cost to you.

About antivirus software:
The increasingly rapid proliferation of new viruses on the Internet, combined with the high infection rate of student computers in the residences which harms those machines, as well as the performance of the University Network and the Internet connection, make it necessary to require that all computers now run antivirus software.

Antivirus software runs continuously "in the background" on your computer, watching for any data that may infect your computer with a virus. Antivirus software can also search your hard disk looking for any virus that might already be running on your system, and can often automatically "disinfect" your computer.

The University of Hartford uses Symantec's Norton AntiVirus on its own faculty and staff computers, and is now offering the same software to students. The University's antivirus system is "managed", so that any time your (Windows) computer is connected to the University's network, all new antivirus updates are automatically pushed to your system as soon as Symantec makes them available -- you don't have to do anything special to keep your system up-to-date with the latest protection! (Note, Macintosh systems do not automatically update, and you must occasionally click the update button in the antivirus program.)

Do I have to use the University's software?
No - if you are already using a reputable, up-to-date antivirus software product on your computer, you do not have to use the University-provided software. However, you are responsible for keeping the software up-to-date, and extending your software vendor's update subscription when your software updates expire (most software packages only provide one year of updates from the date of purchase).

How can I get the software?
The software is fully downloadable and installable from our Student AntiVirus server by pointing your web browser to http://StudentAV.hartford.edu and entering your Hartford email name (without the @hartford.edu part) and email password when prompted (Windows computers only, Macintosh users must sign out an installation CD at the Computer Support Center in CC113). You must be connected to the University network via ResNet, dial-up, or wireless to access the web page. Step-by-step installation instructions are available by clicking a link on that web page. (Faculty and staff should contact the Computer Support Center at x5999 for instructions on accessing the faculty/staff antivirus server.)

Can I get help installing it?
Yup! Just call or visit the Computer Support Center (x5999, room CC113). Information about the Center and its hours is available at http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/its/services.htm.

How do I keep it up-to-date?
Once you install Norton AntiVirus onto your Windows PC from the StudentAV server, your system will be automatically updated from the server any time it is connected to the University Network for as long as you are a registered student at the University. (Macintosh users must use the "update" feature in the antivirus software from time to time to get the latest updates.)