Antivirus Software
All computers are susceptible to viruses, spyware, and malware. It’s important to protect your computer from potential viruses by installing antivirus software. All PSU managed computers have antivirus software.
PSU-managed computers use CrowdStrike Falcon, a lightweight agent that runs in the background to detect and quarantine malicious activity without requiring user interaction. For more information about CrowdStrike and PSU managed computers, see our Antivirus at PSU: CrowdStrike Falcon article
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Antivirus Software Overview
Antivirus software uses a scanning process to keep your computer secure from harmful viruses, worms, and attacks. The software detects suspicious websites and files that contain malicious programs before they enter your computer, and blocks malicious tracking software from being downloaded to your system.
Fake Antivirus scams
Sometimes identity thieves attempt to use fake virus warnings (also known as FakeAV, Rogue AntiVirus, Rogues, or ScareWare) to install a virus on your computer. The primary way you can protect yourself from fake antivirus scams is by being aware that they exist, and by not interacting with pop-up windows that warn you in alarming language that you have a virus.
Free Options for Personal Computers
As a best practice, you should install and regularly update a legitimate antivirus product and keep your operating system, browsers, and browser plug-ins up to date.
A wide range of free and paid antivirus software is available. Paid antivirus software often requires annual renewal fees. The following are our recommendations of free antivirus software for the Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Each is licensed and supported separately by third-party developers.
Note Many computers come with antivirus software pre-installed. Before you install new antivirus software, begin by removing any other antivirus software that may be installed on your computer.
Microsoft Windows
Note Windows Defender comes built-in on all supported Windows operating systems. All other antivirus software, including trial versions, must be removed in order for Windows Defender to monitor your computer.