Malware (short for “malicious software) is any type of software created to harm or exploit another piece of software or hardware. Some examples of malware are viruses, ransomware, trojans and spyware. Antimalware or Antivirus software helps protect your computer from outside threats.

Brock University is dedicated to maintaining a malware-free environment in all of its labs, offices, and classrooms.

All faculty and staff office computers and ITS lab computers are protected by trusted antivirus programs. These computers have the most up-to-date protection as updates are automatically applied as they become available.

Users will need to maintain antivirus on their personal/home computers.

Students, and faculty or staff with home or personal computers should provide and maintain their own antivirus package.

Please be aware that antivirus packages can expire and may require renewal of subscriptions to continue to receive security updates. A list of free alternatives and other security resources are available here.

• Regular Updates: Ensure your antivirus program is set to update automatically. Some programs update weekly, while others do so daily. 
• File Scanning: Scan all downloaded or emailed files before opening, including compressed or attached files. 
• Frequent Scans: Perform scans regularly. If scans slow down your computer, schedule them for times when the computer is not in use. Many programs offer a quick scan feature for critical files. 
• Full System Scans: Schedule a full scan of all files on your hard drive at least once a week. If you’ve reduced the aggressiveness of your antivirus settings, increase the frequency of scans.