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Critical message for on-campus Windows users: Sophos Anti-Virus
Filed under Technology Announcements
Posted by Technology, December 13, 2005
View all posts for December 2005
This message does not affect Macintosh users. All faculty and staff using Simmons Windows computers in their offices should read this message in its entirety.
Simmons has switched antivirus products, from Norton/Symantec Antivirus to Sophos Anti-Virus. All general access and lab computers on campus are already using Sophos. All remaining computers will be switched to Sophos by this Thursday, December 15. Impact on faculty and staff should be minor; we nonetheless apologize for the timing of this switch. We were unable to roll out this change earlier in the school year, and our Symantec license expires December 15.
There will be information for Macintosh users later this week.
The transition of Windows computers from Norton/Symantec to Sophos will be automated. Below please find instructions for
how to initiate the process
what you will see during the uninstall/install
how to check to make sure your computer is protected from viruses (It is essential that you complete this step. If the installation is incomplete, viruses may prevent your computer from functioning properly and you from completing your work.)
1. How to initiate the process
Please shutdown your computer when you are finished using it each day. Your computer will uninstall Norton/Symantec and install Sophos on startup Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning this week. Technology will "push" this update to groups of computer by department. We will notify your Technology Liaison when we have set the trigger for your department.
2. What you will see during the uninstall/install
After entering your username and password, a Windows Installer window entitled “Sophos” will appear for approximately 20 seconds. Upon logging in, the blue Sophos shield in the System Tray (lower right corner of your screen) will flash indicating activity. The yellow Norton/Symantec shield will also still be present.
Then, a series of other black windows will appear and disappear on the screen and run some scripts. This will take approximately 3-5 minutes.
The blue Sophos shield activity should stop within a few minutes which indicates that the installation is complete.
In some cases, you may need to roll your mouse over the yellow Norton/Symantec shield for it to disappear.
3. How to check to make sure your computer is protected from viruses
After the installation, please take time to follow these instructions. Not doing so could leave your computer at risk for viruses, which might incapacitate your computer.
Please check for four signs (A-D below) to see if there were any problems with your computer's switch. If you see any of these signs, please file a report with the Help Desk by calling 617-521-2222 (option 8), or sending email to helpdesk@simmons.edu, as soon as possible.
A. During the uninstall/install process, did you see any error messages? Please contact the Help Desk and describe what you can about those errors.
Look at your System Tray (beside the < symbol in the lower right corner of your computer screen).
B. Is there a blue shield?
If so, that's good, that's the Sophos shield. If not, and you know your computer tried to initiate the installation (described in #2 above), please contact the Help Desk.
C. Is there a blue shield with a red x through it?
If so, that's not so good (but not terrible). Double click the icon, or right-click and choose "Update Now" Is the red x still there? If so, that's bad: please contact the Help Desk.
D. Is there a yellow Norton/Symantec shield?
If so, that's not so good because it means the Norton/Symantec software is still installed. Please restart your computer. Is the yellow Norton/Symantec shield still there? If so, that's bad: please contact the Help Desk.
Thank you for your assistance with this transition. If you have any questions, or are experiencing any difficulty, please contact the Help Desk at 617-521-2222 (option 8), or send email to helpdesk@simmons.edu
-Technology at Simmons College