Symantec Endpoint Protection is Symantec's next generation of antivirus. This version combines Symantec AntiVirus with Symantec AntiSpyware prevention to deliver defense again malware for laptops, desktop and servers. It provides advanced protection against even the most sophisticated attacks that evade traditional security measures, such as rootkits, zero-day attacks, and mutating spyware.

Symantec AntiVirus is the supported antivirus software by the University of Connecticut due to its reliability and compatibility with University systems. It is available to UConn students, faculty and staff for University-owned and personal home computers. It is important to note that our contract with Symantec states that home use is limited to one install of the antivirus software.

Symantec AntiVirus software must be installed and regularly updated on all computers connecting to the UConn network. If you do not have antivirus software installed on your computer, you dramatically increase the risk of becoming infected by viruses which can destroy your personal data and harm other users connected to the UConn network. If you do not have antivirus software, go to the Antivirus page and select your Operating System from the menu to download the most current version.

Important note: For your anti-virus software to be effective, you need to update it regularly. As new viruses appear, each of these companies updates its virus library (dat file) and software and you have to install the update on your computer to be protected against the new viruses. In short, the list of viruses is always expanding, so be sure to keep your anti-virus software current. ( never click out of updating your software from “Microsoft” or “Symantec”).

The University will NEVER ask to email your Username/Password or any sensitive, personal information via email. Do not open or reply to the emails that ask you for your personal information. Most University websites use secure authentication which uses your NetID and Password, which has distinct look with "Single Sign-on" label and will have "https" at the beginning of the URL.

When dealing with Passwords, please remember the following:
• Always use strong passwords.
• If passwords must be written down on a piece of paper, store the paper in a secure place and destroy it when it is no longer needed. Also, DO NOT write and stick them on your Monitors, keyboards or desks! Stickies are awesome but this is dangerous!
• Never share passwords with anyone.
• Use different passwords for all user accounts.
• Change passwords immediately if they may have been compromised.
• Be careful about where passwords are saved on computers. Some dialog boxes, such as those for Outlook, Internet Explorer and other telephone connections, present an option to save or remember a password. Selecting this option poses a potential security threat; especially if the computer is a public or shared machine.
• Power off your machines when you leave your desk. This not only is safe practice but also saves electricity (All devices draw power, even when idling, sometimes by as much as 40% of normal use). If leaving for short moment, "Lock" the machine by holding onto "Windows/Command" key and then pressing letter "L" on your key board.

When Are You at Risk?

An independent study shows that, in 2006, IE users were vulnerable to online threats 78% of the time. Firefox users? Only 2%. “At risk” defined as publicly available exploits with no patch.
Source: “Internet Explorer users Unsafe for 284 Days in 2006”
Brian Krebs, Washington Post, 1/4/2007

Why you should make the switch?
• Open source means more hands patching up security holes.
• Smart Phishing Filter means protection against forgery.
• Instant website ID means clear, easy to see signs of secure sites.
• Malware protection to prevent website attacks.
• List is virtually endless, check the latest security features here.
• Make the switch now!

There are countless threats out there but few precautionary measures can help you deal with them all.


• No legitimate institution will ask you to fill out and send your personal information via email.
• Only University IT departments (i.e. GHC IT Service ITC or UITS) will send a University wide alert email about a potential virus threat or infected emails.
• If the message says "Send this email out to your Friends and Family to alert them of harm", it is likely that the message itself contains a virus.
• No legitimate University technical-alert message will ask you to spread the email among your college/family members.
• If you receive any alert emails from any sender, please DO NOT spread them, as they could be carrying a virus.
• If message has[SPAM] notation, it probably is a spam email. Do not open, reply to, or spread them.
• No one gives out Free prizes to random people!
• Nigerian king has no idea about the lottery you won either!
• There is no such thing as a Free Wii or an iPod for visiting a website!
• Some security alert messages look like real Windows security messages. So please READ BEFORE you Click.
• Do not open the attachment without first determining that it is safe to open it. Make sure it is an attachment that you expected to receive from a trusted source. Take a few precautionary steps to make sure that the attachment will not launch a "payload" virus or worm.
• Does the attachment icon look like an executable (program) file even though the file name indicates it's an image? If the attachment does appear to be an executable program, do NOT click on it. Doing so may launch a program that contains a virus.
• Look at the name of the attachment by right clicking on the attachment and selecting Properties. The three letters to the right of the period indicate what type of file it is: filename.xxx. Files that end with ".exe", ".ini", ".bat", ".pif". ".vbs" are a few extensions of executable files that can launch dangerous programs, although they are, of course, sometimes legitimate.