IT Help

IT Help
Student Help Desk

Antivirus Software Information

Sophos Anti-Virus software is installed on all Bowdoin owned Mac and PC workstations. A great security feature of Sophos is that it performs automatic updates to the virus definitions on your computer. It also ensures that all documents, email attachments, and internet downloads will be scanned before allowing access to them. You can receive automatic updates for Sophos if your computer is connected to the campus network. You may also download Sophos for home use by pointing a web browser to: http://www.bowdoin.edu/it/agreements/index.jsp.

If you have questions please visit the Antivirus Instructions page at http://www.bowdoin.edu/it/help/sophosinstructions.shtml or call the IT Help Desk at 725-3030.

Sophos FAQ

What is Sophos Anti-Virus and what platforms does it run on?
Sophos Anti-Virus provides cross-platform (PC and Macintosh) computer virus protection. It offers easily updated and flexible solutions to battling destructive computer viruses on desktops, laptops, workstations, servers and email systems.

How do I download Sophos Anti-Virus or scan my PC for viruses?
Go to the Antivirus Instructions page at http://www.bowdoin.edu/it/help/sophosinstructions.shtml

What is Intercheck?
Intercheck is a component of the Sophos Ant-Virus program. Once installed, on access scanning is active by default. Intercheck ensures that all documents, email attachments or internet downloads will be scanned before allowing access to them. If a file is found to be infected Intercheck will report that the file has a virus and will not allow access to that file until it has been disinfected or deleted.

Why does Sophos ask me to update to a newer version when I turn on my computer?
This is one of the many great security features of Sophos. Each night the server goes out to the internet to check with the Sophos corporation and retrieve the latest released virus definitions. Everytime you start up your computer it checks with Bowdoin�s servers for new virus updates. If an update is available it will install automatically. This update may be for 1 or 2 new viruses or to update the whole Sophos program to a newer version. You must be connected to the Bowdoin Network for this to take place. It is best practice to say yes to the update, otherwise Sophos will continue to ask you to update every 100 minutes. While Sophos runs the update you may continue to use other applications on your computer.

I can�t type in my password when my computer starts up.
When the Sophos splash screen appears upon startup access to the keyboard is lost for approximately 2-3 seconds. As soon as the splash screen disappears you can begin typing.

I received a message saying that I needed to contact my system administrator what should I do?
When you receive this message it means Sophos has discovered a file or program that may be infected with a virus. Call the IT helpdesk at x3030 for assistance.

How often do I need to update the virus definitions and the Sophos software?
Sophos was chosen as the anti-virus program due to its efficiency and its security. When your computer is on the Bowdoin network all of the updates are done for you.