Every student connecting a computer to the campus network is required to take precautions to ensure the security of his or her system, and installing anti-virus software is one of the best ways to do this. Kutztown University has made this simple by providing Network Associates VirusScan software free to all university students.

However, many students who use VirusScan (or any other anti-virus software, for that matter) aren't aware that new virus definition files (i.e. DATs) are released at least once a week. Failure to update your anti-virus software as these new definition files are released leaves your computer vulnerable to infection.

Fortunately, VirusScan includes an "AutoUpdate" feature which can automatically download and install these new virus definition files at scheduled times, even when you're not around. Follow the steps below to schedule VirusScan automatic updates:

Note: The instructions provided below are for VirusScan v4.5.1. VirusScan can be downloaded from the ResNet software downloads page. You need to provide a username and password (available from the ResNet helpdesk) in order to access the installer.

VirusScan only runs on Windows PCs. Macintosh users can download and install Virex, also available on the ResNet software downloads page.

Click here for instructions on configuring automatic updates for VirusScan 8.0.

From the Start menu, select Programs:Network Associates:VirusScan Console (or double-click the VirusScan Console in the system tray). In the console window, double-click the AutoUpdate task.

In the Task Properties window, click the Configure button. You should see Network Associates listed as an update site. Select it and click the Edit button.

In the Site Options window, make sure you check the box to enable the site. If necessary, change the values to those specified below. Click OK when finished.

Back on the Task Properties window, click the Schedule tab at the top and enter your preferred schedule for when the automatic updates should happen. We recommend choosing either the At Startup or Weekly option (the Hourly and Daily options produce excessive network traffic; the Once and Monthly options leave your system too vulnerable).

If you choose the Weekly option, pick a time when network traffic is generally not too heavy (e.g. early mornings, late nights, weekends) and you're not typically using your computer. Also check the box to enable randomization. This lets the computer pick a random time, close to the time you picked, to perform the updates. This can be helpful in avoiding congestion on the update server if too many people try to run updates at exactly the same time. In the example below, the 9:00AM start time with a 2 hour randomization allows the computer to run the update any time between 7:00AM and 11:00AM on Sundays.

Click OK when finished setting the update schedule. You can check the VirusScan Console to see when AutoUpdate last ran and when it's scheduled to run again. If everything looks okay, simply close the window.

If you need assistance configuring VirusScan's AutoUpdate feature, contact the ResNet helpdesk at x31310.