Malware Protection

Overview

Notice of Software Expiry!
UBC currently offers Sophos Antivirus free of charge to UBC students and employees, however UBC’s license agreement with Sophos expires on July 29, 2020.

To avoid the possibility of being without malware protection please read the guidance on this page.

 

UBC options for malware protection


If you need assistance or more information, see the Support section below.


Why is malware protection software necessary?

Malware protection software (also known as antivirus software) is an important tool to help prevent cyberattacks. In fact, UBC’s Information Security Standard #7 (Securing Computing and Mobile Storage Devices/Media) requires that computing devices used for University Business* must have up-to-date anti-malware software installed, and configured to update at least once per day.

Not every type of cyberattack can be prevented with malware protection software, but it can be a great asset when trying to prevent intrusion into a computer.

Malware protection software should have the following features enabled:

  • Regular updates with new signature files;
  • Scanning for all files;
  • Real-time protection;
  • Scheduled system scans; and
  • Alerting.
*University Business means activities in support of the administrative, academic, and research mandates of the University.

Getting Started

UBC Employees

I am using a computer that is supported by UBC

Applies to: Faculty, staff, researchers, student employees and contractors with a UBC-owned laptop or desktop computer that is:

  • Supported by the central IT Department (UBC IT) in Vancouver or Okanagan
  • Supported by a Faculty, Department or Research IT Department

What do I need to do? Nothing!

IT Support Staff at UBC will ensure that your computer has up-to-date malware protection solution installed. The software is updated automatically and no action is required on your part to keep your software up-to-date and compliant with UBC’s Information Security Standard #07.


NOTE: If you currently have Sophos Antivirus installed, your IT Support Staff will migrate your computer to Cisco AMP for Endpoints before UBC’s Sophos license expires on July 29, 2020.


IMPORTANT! UBC Executive has mandated certain software be used by all UBC Faculty and Staff which supersedes the advice on this site. Please read for more details before proceeding.



I am using a computer that I support myself

Applies to: Faculty, staff, researchers, student employees and contractors with a laptop or desktop computer that is:

  • Owned by UBC, but supported/managed yourself
  • Personally-owned, but used for University Business

What do I need to do? Install anti-malware software on your computer.

You are licensed to install UBC’s recommended and preferred anti-malware solution, Cisco AMP for Endpoints, which can be downloaded through UBC’s Software Downloads site.


You can also choose to manually install alternative malware protection software. A list of some popular no-cost optionsis provided below.


NOTE: If you currently have Sophos Antivirus installed, you must migrate to alternative anti-malware software before UBC’s Sophos license expires on July 29, 2020.


Looking for malware protection for your personal computer that is NOT used for University Business? Install one of the popular no-cost options listed below.


Students and other members of the UBC community

Applies to:

  • UBC students with a personally-owned computer
  • Non-employee UBC affiliates and members of the UBC community with a personally-owned computer
  • UBC employees with a personally-owned computer NOT used for University Business

What do I need to do? If you wish to protect your computer against malware, you must manually install your own anti-malware software. A list of some popular no-cost optionsis provided below.


NOTE: If you currently have Sophos Antivirus installed, you must migrate to alternative anti-malware software before UBC’s Sophos license expires on July 29, 2020 to avoid the being without up-to-date malware protection.


As a reminder, UBC’s Information Security Standard #7 (Securing Computing and Mobile Storage Devices/Media)requires that computing devices used for University Business must have up-to-date anti-malware software installed, and configured to update at least once per day.




Popular no-cost anti-malware programs

Below is a list of some popular no-cost anti-malware/antivirus programs. This list is by no means exhaustive as there may be other antivirus programs that will work for your system that are not listed.


This list is provided as reference only as UBC IT at both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses cannot provide support for these products.


Preferred alternatives


Other popular free programs (in alphabetical order)


NOTE: When installing your own software, ensure it is purchased/downloaded from a reputable source, and that the following features are enabled: