Students must agree to the Anti-Virus policy (below) before downloading or acquiring a CD from Audio Visual.

Computer viruses range from relatively benign to extremely destructive. In order to help protect against computer viral infections, all Macintosh and Windows platform PC's in WIU's computer labs have the latest Norton Anti-Virus software installed. In addition, all computers that are the property of WIU have virus protection installed. As new viruses develop and evolve, this virus protection software is updated to deal with potential new threats. This does not guarantee absolute protection. However, it greatly reduces the possibility of infections spreading to other computer systems.

UCSS strongly recommends that students who own personal computers install and maintain virus protection on their personal computers, regardless of whether the computers are located on or off campus.

If a virus is detected by UCSS technical staff, and it is determined that it is originating and spreading from a student owned personal computer in a residential hall, the steps outlined below will be taken.

1. When a virus or DoS (Denial of Service) attack is detected, the port that the student PC is connected to will be disabled by UCSS staff, and a Helpdesk ticket will be entered with what information we have in regard to the situation.
2. UCSS staff will identify the building and room number and attempt to contact the student to schedule an appointment.
3. A ResNet technician will meet with the student and assist with a clean up of the PC.
4. Once the technician believes the machine is fixed, UCSS will enable the port.
5. If the problem does not reoccur UCSS will leave the port on.
6. If the problem DOES reoccur, then the following will happen: If the ResNet technician CANNOT remedy the situation, the user will remain disabled until they have their system serviced by a 3rd party. In the case of a virus problem, the 3rd party must either remove the virus, or rebuild the system and reinstall the student's software. A DoS attack may make changes to the registry that cannot be located by even the best technicians. In that case, the 3rd party will again have to rebuild the system and reinstall the student's software.
7. Any and all of the above steps may remedy the situation, but they will not by any means guarantee that the student's system will not be infected again, in which case all of the steps above will be repeated.

UCSS has arranged to provide Norton Anti-Virus software to students who wish to install it on their own personal computer systems. Students should be aware that potential software problems do exist in regard to installing anti-virus software. For example, if a personal computer system already has another type or brand of anti-virus software installed, it may cause software conflicts. If a computer is already infected, this may also potentially create software conflicts.

UCSS provides the Norton Anti-Virus software as is, with no liability expressed or implied. It may ONLY be installed and used by any currently enrolled WIU student.

The WIU Norton Anti-Virus software for PC's may be acquired at the following web page:

(This method is NOT recommended for installation over a dial-up link.) You will be prompted for your ECOM username and password in order to download this software. Updates to the anti-virus software can be obtained by clicking on the LiveUpdate button once Norton AntiVirus has been installed.

Students may also obtain an anti-virus for PC's CD (on loan) if they wish to install from CD rather than from a web page. (Macintosh users MUST install from a CD, as installing from the web link is not an option.) These CD's will be available for check out from the Audio Visual department in the basement of the Library 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.