NC State recommends using the antivirus protection provided by your operating system’s vendor; e.g. Windows Defender for a personally-owned Microsoft Windows 10 computer.

Alternatively, you may use a different antivirus product to comply with the university’s Antivirus Software Requirements, provided that OIT considers it to be approved as indicated below.

PLEASE NOTE:

• OIT does not provide technical support for any approved alternate antivirus product.
• OIT cannot endorse any antivirus product for Windows or OS X at this time.

Windows

OIT considers an alternate antivirus product for Windows to be approved if:

• It has been evaluated and certified by AV-TEST with a Protection score of 3 or higher (not the Performance or Usability score).
  See The best antivirus software for Windows Home User.

NOTE: The higher the Protection score, likely the more secure your computer will be.

OS X

OIT considers an alternate antivirus product for OS X to be approved if:

• It has been approved by AV-Comparatives during the current or prior year.
  See List of AV Vendors (Mac)

NOTE: Some of these products are available in the Apple App Store application, which may provide the best automatic updates.