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The Necessity of Anti-Virus Protection in an Insecure Digital World

In today's ever-changing digital landscape, the threat to personal data due to sophisticated malware is substantial. Viruses, worms, trojan horses, and ransomware necessitate robust anti-virus protection. Keeping anti-virus software up-to-date is vital for safeguarding personal information and ensuring the integrity and performance of devices connected to the internet.

Guidance for Older Operating Systems

Operating systems that no longer receive security updates represent a severe security risk. While essential, anti-virus software alone cannot fully protect such systems. Upgrading to current, supported operating system versions is strongly recommended to maintain secure coverage. Devices running outdated or no longer supported software should not be connected to NKU's digital environment or network, as they pose a risk to not only the individual device but also to the integrity of the university's digital infrastructure.

Anti-Virus Software for Students and Non-NKU Owned Computers

NKU requires all individuals, including students, to use anti-virus software on non-NKU owned computers accessing the NKU's digital environment or network. This requirement is a key aspect of our collective security responsibility.

Note: NKU does not officially endorse any specific anti-virus product. Your choice should be informed by careful research, considering your needs and usage patterns. Cybersecurity is multifaceted; alongside anti-virus software, maintain regular updates, strong password practices, and vigilance against phishing and social engineering.

NKU-Owned Computers and Anti-Virus Protection

NKU ensures the security of university resources by installing licensed anti-virus software on all NKU-owned computers. This measure is part of our commitment to safeguarding institutional data and the technological ecosystem of the university. Our IT department continuously monitors and updates these systems to address new threats as they arise, providing a secure and reliable computing environment for all university operations.

Signs of a possible infection

  • Erratic program behavior or unexpected crashes
  • Sudden, uninitiated system reboots
  • Slow internet connections with light usage
  • Anti-virus software issues
  • Blocked access to security websites
  • Unexplained loss of hard drive space
  • Booting issues or unusual graphics and pop-ups

If your system has a virus

  • Perform a full anti-virus scan
  • Potentially re-image your machine (complete re-install of the operating system)
  • Change passwords on any computer you use, as well as online passwords
  • Visit https://staysafeonline.org/ for further tips and information
  • Contact the IT Helpdesk if the anti-virus scan fails to eliminate issues