To ensure robust and cost-effective data security, the North Dakota University System is replacing the McAfee Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware it has traditionally provided for students, faculty and staff. New software will be available at no charge for NDSU-owned computers and for use on NDSU student and employee personal computers.
Chief information technology security officer Theresa Semmens emphasized the importance of installing the new anti-malware software on both work and personal computers used on the NDSU campus.
“Protecting your individual computer is key in protecting the university community’s IT resources from malicious viruses and other malware,” Semmens said. “The North Dakota University System provides anti-malware software at no charge to ensure access and protection for faculty, staff and students.”
For Windows users, a new anti-malware solution from Microsoft will provide protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious software. For NDSU-owned computers, the software is called Forefront. For personal use, a related Microsoft product called Microsoft Security Essentials is available at no charge. Macintosh users will be provided with ClamXav.
More information on how to access the new anti-malware programs is available at www.ndsu.edu/its/av.
Migration to these new anti-malware programs must be completed by March 2012, when campus licensing for McAfee expires.
The following policies require that appropriate software be installed on computers to prevent viruses and other malware:
N.D. University System policy 1901.2 – www.ndsu.edu/its/ndus-1901-2
NDSU policy 158 – available on the NDSU policy index page, www.ndsu.edu/policy