On September 27, 2006, the Sophos Antivirus system has replaced the Symantec Antivirus system as the University's standard Antivirus and Malware protection system. The Sophos antivirus system is not as well known in the United States as Symantec, but it has been used in European countries as a de facto Antivirus system for years. The Sophos antivirus system not only protect its users from virus such as worms or trojans, it also protects users from many common and exotic variations of spywares, adwares, rootkits as well as other malwares. The Sophos Antivirus system is distributed as a free download for all VCU students, faculty and staff.
It is highly recommended for you to have at least one type of antivirus system on your computer. If you do not have an antivirus system, or if your current antivirus system is out of date, then please give the Symantec Sophos Antivirus a try.
(Microsoft Windows)
(MAC OSX )
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Lavasoft Ad-Aware Personal Edition Version 1.06
The Lavasoft Ad-Aware is one of the pioneer software that offers protection against spyware as well as malware and some strains of viruses. Lavasoft Ad-Aware offers a simple to use interface with the ability to customize your search as well as the ability to update spyware definitions.
If you are looking for a good anti-spyware software to take care of all of those pop ups, Ad-Aware should definately be your number one choice. Ad-Aware can also be used in conjunction with other anti-spyware software for extra protection.
(Microsoft Windows)
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Spybot Search and Destroy is another very popular anti-spyware software. It offers a variety of services in addition to its excellent spyware scanner. Spybot Search and Destroy can provide registry backup, as well as a realtime spyware scanner that can "immunize" your system against known threats.
When used in conjunction with other anti-spyware software, Spybot Search and Destroy can be a very powerful tool against spywares and malwares.
(Microsoft Windows)
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The Microsoft Windows Defender replaces the original Microsoft Anti-Spyware, and it is another excellent anti-spyware software. This software is developed by Giant, which is a daughter company to Microsoft as well as tone of the top Anti-spyware development company. Overall, this anti-spyware software does it all. It will notify you of any suspected or attempted intrusion, it can lock your homepage when a browser hijack is detected, and most of all, it works great with the Windows XP SP2 Firewall. Please note, you must have a valid copy of Microsoft Windows in order to download this software.
(Microsoft Windows)
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The Ewido Anti-Malware program is developed by Ewido, the newcomer of the Anti-Virus / Anti-Spyware market. Although new to the market, Ewido Anti-Malware is no pushover. This software boasts some of today's best Trojan detection / prevention technologies, and is met with rave reviews from security experts and critics world-wide.
This software is distributed as a free-ware, with the option to purchase. In this download, you will receive a 14 day trial of the full version of the software. If you do decide to purchase, you will retain the full functionality of this software after 14 days. Otherwise, If you decide to keep the free version on your computer, you will lose the memory scanner capability after 14 days.
(Microsoft Windows)