Protect your PC

Before connecting to the network you must protect your PC from viruses (with current anti-virus software), run regular system updates and change a number of security settings as advised below. Note: this is automatically applied on student PCs and staff managed desktops.

Steps to protect your PC

  1. Install anti-virus software with the latest virus definitions and run a full scan
  2. Install adware and spyware protection
  3. Essential security settings on your PC:
    1. set passwords on all user accounts on your computer, including the administrator account
    2. disable the Guest account if you have one (this is normally disabled by default)
    3. turn off any file sharing
  4. Update your computer with the latest service packs and security updates(there is no need to do this if you have automatic updates enabled or have recently visited the windows update website)

Run a security scan now to check it out

Installing software

Students or staff

Mac users:

You are required to install anti-virus software before connecting your computer to the Kent network. Check the Apple website for recommendations, or install iAntivirus

If you already have any anti-virus software on your Mac, please make sure it is up-to-date. If it is not up-to-date, please remove it before installing iAntiVirus:

Download and install iAntiVirus software
Windows users:

Never try to install more than one anti-virus program as this causes serious technical problems.

The University provides anti-virus software (F-secure) free to students. You need to install this if:

  • you have windows PC and do not already have up-to-date anti-virus software on it
  • the software you have is out-of-date: if you are no longer receiving regular anti-virus updates, you need to remove your old software so that you can install F-secure
How to install F-secure:
  1. Before downloading the new program you need to check that you do not already have anti-virus software on your PC. If you install more than one anti-virus program, your computer will not work. If you need F-Secure, you will need to uninstall the software you have:
    1. Click on Start button, Control Panel double-click on Add/Remove Programs if using Windows XP, Programs and Features icon if using Vista.
    2. You will see a list of programs on your PC: check for Norton, McAfee or any other expired anti-virus programs.
    3. To remove a program, click the Remove button next to the program in the list.

      There may be several components to remove and they must all be removed for a full uninstall.
  2. Download F-Secure and run a full virus scan. A healthcheck DVD containing F-secure is also available from IT reception.

Software for University guests & visitors: avast!

System requirements: Windows 2000, XP or Vista

To install avast!
  1. Remove existing anti-virus software before downloading the new program (or your PC may not work):

    To remove a program (using Windows XP):
    - click Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs
    - from the list of software (under Change or Remove Programs) select the software you wish to remove and click Change/Remove. There may be several components to remove and they must all be removed for a full uninstall.

  2. Download avast!: click Open/Run if prompted.

Removing viruses from your PC

Scanning and removing viruses, adware and spyware: if you suspect your PC is infected, use F-Secure (or your current up-to-date anti-virus software) to scan for viruses, adware and spyware. Further help with removing viruses should be in the help section of your anti-virus program.

Additional virus removal tools