Keep Symantec AntiVirus protection current on your Windows computer

Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition relies on up-to-date information in its virus definitions files to detect and eliminate viruses. One of the most common reasons virus problems occur is that users do not update the virus definitions files after installation.

Symantec updates virus definitions files weekly through LiveUpdate and also whenever a major virus threat emerges. Symantec's Intelligent Updater service is more cumbersome to use than LiveUpdate, but it updates virus definition files on a daily basis. See the Symantec Security Response Website for details about Intelligent Updater.

C&IT recommends that you update virus definitions at least once a week using LiveUpdate. Scheduling LiveUpdate to run automatically is the easiest way not to forget (see the scheduling instructions that follow). In addition, always update virus definitions immediately when you hear about new viruses in the news (see the immediate update instructions at the bottom of this page).

Scheduling virus protection updates with LiveUpdate

Your computer must be running and have access to the Internet when an update runs. By default LiveUpdate is scheduled to run automatically once a week. However, you can change the frequency and time to fit your needs.

To set LiveUpdate schedule options

  1. Click Start —> Programs —> Symantec Client Security —> Symantec AntiVirus to display the Symantec AntiVirus main window.
  2. In the Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition main window, on the File menu, click Schedule Updates.
  3. In the Schedule Virus Definition Updates dialog box, check Enable scheduled automatic updates and then click Schedule.
  4. In the Virus Definition Update Schedule dialog box, specify the frequency, day, and time that you want LiveUpdate to run.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Finish.

To update virus protection immediately

  1. In the Symantec AntiVirus main window, in the left pane, click Symantec AntiVirus.
  2. In the right pane, click LiveUpdate.
  3. Click Next to start the automatic update.
  4. Click Finish to complete the automatic update.
  5. Click Exit.

Support

If you need help using Symantec AntiVirus, contact the C&IT Help Desk by phone, (313) 577-4778, or e-mail to helpdesk@wayne.edu.