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Office of Information Technology (OIT) > Safe Computing > Security Tools and Downloads

Security Tools & Downloads

Antivirus Software

See Anti-Virus on UTools.
Microsoft Windows Defender, for Microsoft Windows 8 and greater
Microsoft Security Essentials, for Microsoft Windows 7
Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition, for Macintosh OS X.4 and greater (free for personal use)
Download Symantec Endpoint Protection AntiVirus (SEP), for current University of Minnesota faculty and staff only
Rapid Release virus definitions from Symantec. Definitions are normally downloaded and installed automatically by SAV. However, the Rapid Release definitions offer detection of known threats sooner than the usual definitions release cycle.
Uninstalling a Norton or Symantec product, instructions from Symantec
Virus removal tools for specific infections. These Symantec tools are tailored specifically toward known, named infections. To quickly find an item, sort the list by name or do a page search (press [Ctrl][F]).

Application Security Scanning

Scan for missing security patches for applications (programs) installed on your computer, such as Java or Adobe Reader. Includes help for fixing the security issue.

metaquark AppFresh, for Mac OS X
Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI), for Windows

Browser Software & Plug-ins Security Scanning

Scan for missing security patches or holes in browser software and plug-ins. Includes help to fix the security issues discovered.

Qualys BrowserCheck, for Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, and many other browsers (including mobile). Need to run this tool on each browser you have installed.

Browser Security

McAfee SiteAdvisor helps test websites for spyware, spam and scams. The tool adds safety ratings to your browser and search results.

Secure Password Storage

Password Safe, use a strong password/passphrase for the master password that opens your Password Safe and maintain a back up copy of your Password Safe.

System Security Check Up

Free Security Check Up Tools,Stay Safe Online provides links to free security checks for your computer
Symantec Security Check, a network-based scan that tests your computer's exposure to a wide range of online threats
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MSBA), a tool for Windows that helps you determine your security state in accordance with Microsoft security recommendations and offers specific remediation guidance

Secure File Deletion

R-Wipe & Clean: for University-owned Windows PCs only. R-Wipe & Clean securely erases the contents of the Recycle Bin, temporary files, browser cache, etc.
Mac OS X offers built-in secure file deletion through Finder: in the Finder menu, choose the "Secure Empty Trash" option. In Terminal, the "srm" program provides secure file deletion.

Spyware Removal Utilities

Windows Defender included with Windows Vista and Windows 7, but available for download for Windows XP and Windows 2003.

System Updates

Recommendation: use your system's automatic updating feature to download and install the critical updates for you. This helps ensure the updates are compatible with your system and are applied in the correct order.

Individual updates are available to download for later installation on another computer, to reapply a failed update, or to obtain updates not covered by the automatic update process.

Mac OS X

Mac OS X: Updating your software (see: "Scheduling an update"): using the built-in Software Update application
Individual updates
- Security Updates, for security fixes between releases of Mac OS X Updates
- Application Updates

Windows 7 or Vista

Get security updates for Windows (see: "Turn on Windows automatic updating")
Individual updates
- Windows service packs
- Microsoft Security Bulletin Search

Windows XP

How to keep your Windows computer up-to-date (see: "Automatic Updates feature")
How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
Individual updates
- How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
- Microsoft Security Bulletin Search

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Virtual Private Network (VPN): enables current University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff to connect more securely to the University network when you are using wireless or a non-University Internet Service Provider, transmitting sensitive data, or accessing restricted University resources

Advanced Tools & Guides

This section contains links to advanced tools and very technical guides. Users are advised to use these tools only if they are technically savvy or are under the guidance of 1-HELP support staff.

Norton Removal Tool: removes Norton products from Windows systems
Manually uninstalling Symantec Client Security or AntiVirus products, expert-level instructions from Symantec
Windows Sysinternals system diagnostic tools
Hosts File Recovery Tool
Windows TCP/IP and Winsock Fix Tool
Windows Scripts 5.6 Installer

Patches & Updates Roundup

Operating Systems & Applications

Windows & PC Office: Micrsoft- Windows Update & Security updates for the month
Mac Office: Microsoft- Updates for Mac Office
OS X: Apple- Updating your software
iPad: How to update and restore
iPhone, iPod & iPod touch: Apple- Updating and restoring
iPod: Apple Updating
Android: Check for updates
Windows Adobe Reader: Adobe- Updates
OS X Adobe Reader: Adobe- Updates
Flash Player: Adobe- Updates
Firefox: Firefox- Updates
Safari: How to update
Opera: Opera- How to update
Chrome: Google- How to update
Java: Java- Downloads for all operating systems
Windows iTunes: How to update iTunes on a PC
OSX iTunes: How to update iTunes on a Mac

Security Suites

Symantec: How to update your virus definitions
Norton: How to update your virus definitions
McAfee: Security updates
Kaspersky: Security updates
AVG: AntiVirus updates
Panda: Security updates
PC Tools: How to update
BitDefender: Desktop products updates
Avast: Download updates
Webroot: Security tool
Trend Micro: How to update
Microsoft Security Essentials: How to update
The Patches and Updates Roundup published by SANS Institute