IT Services

It's important to remember that viruses could affect you at home or at work, regardless of what you do online. A virus can be picked up in numerous ways, but some of the most common ways of infecting a computer include:

• accessing malicious links in an email or on a web page, including social web site postings
• using a USB stick which has an infected file on it.
• opening infected email attachments
• providing unsecured network services e.g. unprotected shared folders

You should never consider your PC as safe because you only use it for work purposes or only ever access 'reputable' web sites. Without anti-virus and firewall protection, your PC is vulnerable from the moment it is connected to the internet.

Up to date anti-virus software on both your University and home computer will help to minimise your exposure to viruses. As a member of the University, you can download Sophos anti-virus software for free for use on your home PC or laptop. You can install Sophos on your computer in minutes and as long as you are a member of the University, automatic updates are included.