AntiVirus
To prevent computer viruses spreading within the Kalamazoo College Network, all computers connected to the Kalamazoo College Network are required to have a current, up-to-date antivirus application installed. This requirement includes all computers whether they be student-owned, faculty- or staff-owned, or college-owned computers.
Student Computers
Kalamazoo College provides all students with a version of Symantec AntiVirus software paid for by the College. The software, subscriptions and definition updates are provided at no cost to students while they are enrolled at the College. RCCs in each residence hall are available to assist in the installation of this software.
Download software and updates here.
New PCs usually come pre-installed with a trial version of antivirus software; typically after 90 days this trial period expires, the software no longer updates and your computer is vulnerable to viruses.
If you have an antivirus package installed on your system already, please ensure that your subscription is current and active in order to protect your system from viruses. If your subscription has expired, either follow the manufacturer’s procedure for purchasing a subscription renewal or uninstall your current software and install the provided Symantec AntiVirus package. This license is valid only while you are enrolled at Kalamazoo College. If you graduate or withdraw from the College, you must remove this version of Symantec AntiVirus from your computer and should replace it with a personally purchased AntiVirus program.
If it is determined that a student computer has a virus and it does not have an antivirus program installed, its antivirus subscription has expired or its virus definitions are more than a month out of date, the computer’s network port(s) will be disabled without warning and a
$100.00 fee will be assessed to the computer owner’s College account. The network port(s) will remain disabled until the virus is verified removed by a member of Information Services or a Residential Computer Consultant (RCC). If an infected computer is connected to another network port before it is verified as free of viruses, that port will also be disabled until the system has been cleaned.
Computers Maintained by Information Services
All computers maintained by Information Services have Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition pre-installed. This software is centrally managed and virus definitions are updated automatically. All college computers are also automatically scanned for viruses once a week, typically at noon on Mondays.
If a computer maintained by Information Services becomes infected with a virus, it may be necessary to remove the computer from the network (possibly by disabling the computer’s network port) until Information Services personnel can clean the computer. If you suspect your computer is infected, please unplug it from the network port and call the Information Services Help Desk at x5800.
Computers not maintained by Information Services
Other computers such as faculty or staff personal computers or college owned computers not maintained by Information Services must also have up-to-date antivirus software installed. It is the responsibility of the owner to purchase and maintain this software.
If it is determined that a computer has a virus and it does not have an antivirus program installed, its antivirus subscription has expired or its virus definitions are more than a month out of date, the computer’s network port(s) will be disabled without warning until Information Services personnel can verify the computer has been cleaned of all viruses and a
$100.00 fee will be assessed to the computer’s owner. Fees may not be paid with institutional funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked virus questions here.