Protect and clean your computer: Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard)

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

If you are a University employee whose University computer exhibits signs of an infection and you do not feel comfortable following the listed steps, you should contact the IT Professional for your unit/department for help. No fees apply.
If you are a University employee whose personal computer exhibits signs of an infection and you do not feel comfortable following the listed steps, you can make an appointment to have your computer cleaned (charges do apply). Submit a Help Ticket Request or call the IT Support Center at (302) 831-6000.
If you are a student whose personal computer exhibits signs of an infection and you do not feel comfortable following the listed steps, you can make an appointment to have your computer cleaned (charges do apply). Submit a Help Ticket Request or call the IT Support Center at (302) 831-6000.

Activate the Mac OS X firewall
Use up-to-date McAfee anti-virus software
- Install McAfee VirusScan
- Scan for viruses
Set software updates to check for updates daily
- Use Software Update to keep your Apple software current
- Use AutoUpdate to keep Microsoft Office current
Set up desktop security
- Disable file sharing
- Password-protect all accounts on your computer
Ongoing tasks
- Change your account password periodically
- Back up important data: Mac 101: Time Machine (links to Apple's Web site; requires an external hard drive).
- After installing any new software, use Disk Utility to Repair Disk Permissions
- Obtain critical security updates for other applications (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader) installed on your computer.

For further information about computer security, go to the UD computer security home page.