To protect your computer, you should install anti-spyware software and keep it up to date. Unless you
don't use the internet at all, spyware will get installed on your computer. There is no way to prevent
it completely. Therefore, you need to scan and remove it periodically. Spyware causes two problems. It
tracks your movements on the internet and shares this information back to the internet. The information may
be used to send you pop-ups you probably don't want as well. A worse problem is caused when spyware
builds up on your computer. Each of these processes slow down your computer and your internet connection
and in extreme cases can cause conflicts in your system.
University Owned Computers on Campus
Will have Symantec Endpoint Protection(SEP) installed on the computer which includes both anti-virus and anti-spyware.
A scan will automatically run each week. If your computer is off at that time, SEP will run the scan
the next time the computer is turned on.
Please contact the Help Desk to have SEP installed on your computer.
Personal , Dorm and Off Campus
We recommend the free utility Ad-Aware or Windows Defender if your anti-virus software doesn't include anti-spyware.
If you run the spyware removal tool every two weeks, they should help keep your computer running better. Click
the appropriate links below.
Note: Ad-Aware is not legal on university-owned computers unless you purchase the professional version.