This section contains answers to the most commonly asked questions about NC State University's antivirus initiative. More information about perform certain tasks with antivirus software is available in our Using Antivirus Clients section.  If you need assistance with troubleshooting specific issues with your Trend Micro product, check out our Troubleshooting Problems section. If you have other specific questions that aren't answered on this site, please contact the NC State Help Desk for assistance.

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• The Basics about NC State Antivirus Resources
• About NC State's switch to Trend Micro products

The Basics about NC State Antivirus Resources

• Does NC State really provide free antivirus software?
  Yes, Trend Micro OfficeScan for Windows and Intego VirusBarrier for Mac OS X are free to all current students, faculty and staff at NC State University.
• Can I keep using the University-provided antivirus software if I'm no longer affiliated with NC State?
  No, you must uninstall the antivirus software. Our licensing agreement with Trend Micro Corporation does not permit use by individuals other than current students, faculty and staff.
• Can I use Trend Micro antivirus products on an older operating system?
  OIT does not provide support for installing or using Trend Micro antivirus products on any operating systems prior to Windows XP or Mac OS X. To best protect your computer, we strongly encourage you to upgrade to Windows Vista or Mac OS X 10.5.
• Can I use another antivirus program?
  If your computer connects to the campus network, then you must use either the university-supplied Trend Micro and Intego antivirus products or one of the alternate approved antivirus products. Be aware that the NC State Help Desk does not provide technical support for any alternate antivirus products.
• Are any antivirus programs specifically not allowed?
  See the list of non-approved products compiled by the University IT Security Subcommittee.
• Can I be exempted from the antivirus requirement?
  For an exception for specific computer, or group of computers, please submit an Antivirus Exemption Request.
• Can I suggest an alternate antivirus program?
  To request that an alternative antivirus program be reviewed by the University IT Security Subcommittee, please submit an Additional Antivirus Software Request.

About NC State's switch to Trend Micro products

• Why did NC State switch to Trend Micro?
  The decision to switch to Trend Micro and Intego antivirus products occurred because they offer an improvement in virus detection, as well as more reliable software updates.  A team comprised of IT staffers from across campus evaluated several alternate products before selecting Trend Micro.  Extensive testing was done by NC State staff members to determine the success rate in catching actual viruses.
• I want to know more about Trend Micro OfficeScan.
  Find out about OfficeScan at Trend Micro's product website.
• I want to know more about Intego VirusBarrier.
  Find out about VirusBarrier at Intego's product website.
• How do I migrate from Symantec to Trend antivirus on my computer?
  To upgrade to the new Trent Micro and Intego products, visit our Download section and select the set of instructions for your operating system.  You will need to uninstall your existing Symantec product before installing a new Trend or Intego product.
• When did the switch occur?
  NC State formally began the switch on January 12, 2009.  It is a semester-long process, and users are encouraged to upgrade from Symantec products as soon as possible.
• What does this mean for my copy of Symantec AntiVirus or Symantec Endpoint Protection?
  OIT has discontinued Symantec services as of June 22, 2009.  The Symantec parent servers are no longer online.  If you received your copy of a Symantec product from NCSU, the virus definitions are no longer being updated and your machine does not have full protection.  You need to download and install a copy of Office Scan or Virus Barier as soon as possible.