Protect and Clean your Computer

Before you use your computer on campus, there are steps you must follow to protect your computer from security threats, and clean your computer's system of compromising programs.

Use one of the links below for a step-by-step guide based on your device.

 

For computers exhibiting signs of an infection:

  • If you are a University employee whose university-owned computer exhibits signs of an infection, you must contact the IT Professional for your unit/department for help. Do not follow this guide. No fees apply. Read this FAQ page for more information.

  • If you are a University employee or student whose personal computer exhibits signs of an infection, you may follow this guide or make an appointment to have your computer cleaned. Submit a Help Ticket Request or call the IT Support Center at (302) 831-6000. Charges apply. Read this FAQ page for more information.

 

Steps to Protect Your Computers and Devices

 

Windows 10

One-Time Tasks

 

Ongoing Tasks

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macOS

One-Time Tasks

 

Ongoing Tasks

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Mobile Device Anti-virus Recommendations

Currently, UD does not have a site license for an anti-virus application for smartphones and other mobile devices.

You should exercise similar caution with your smartphone or tablet as you do with your computer:

  • password protect your phone or tablet
  • apply updates to your phone's operating system and apps as they become available
  • don't download apps from untrusted sources
  • don't click untrusted links
  • watch out for phishing and "vishing" scams that try to trick you into surrendering personal information.

Do Android™ devices get viruses?
Yes, the Android operating system is relatively open and can get infected when apps are downloaded. Google had to remove 50 apps that had DroidDream attached, malware that passed sensitive data such as passwords to a remote server. And in June 2014, ransomeware trojans appeared for the first time. Our anti-virus recommendation for an Android device is Lookout Mobile Security Free.

Do iPhone® and iPad® mobile devices get viruses?
So far, only iOS devices (iPhones and iPads) that have been unlocked (jailbroken) have been vulnerable to system hacks. We have seen very few security issues with iPhones and iPads--so long as the iPhone or iPad is password protected.

There have been reports of vulnerabilities in some Apps downloaded from the App Store.

Because Apple prevents "anti-virus" and "anti-malware" software from being made available in the App Store, we do not have a recommendation for Apple iPhone or iPad anti-virus software. For further information, contact the IT Support Center.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

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Details

Article ID: 577
Created
Fri 1/3/20 3:37 PM
Modified
Tue 6/2/20 1:49 PM