Computer Support recommends that you download and install Windows Defender as PART of a spyware/malware prevention process. Defender will remove malware programs as well.

College of Ag Sciences faculty and staff should install (or update to) the current version of Symantec AntiVirus as well. If you don't have SAV installed, you should follow the steps from How To Install and Configure SAV Corporate Edition 10.x.

These steps are written for computers with Windows XP Professional.

Download the Software

To download the SpywareBlaster installer exe, perform these steps.

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Go to the Windows Defender home page.
3. Click the DOWNLOAD IT HERE button.
4. Click the Continue button. Wait for your copy of Windows to be validated.
   
5. Click the Download button. You should be prompted to click Save. Then click the Desktop button. (This will copy the WindowsDefender.msi Installer to the desktop). Click Save.
   
6. If a Download Complete window appears, click Close. Exit Internet Explorer.
   

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1. Close all running programs. (ex: Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.).
2. From the desktop, double-click on the WindowsDefender.msi file.
3. If you are asked "Do you want to run this file?", click Run.
   
4. Click Next on the Welcome Screen.
5. At the Validate screen, click Validate.
6. Click "I accept the terms ... " and then click Next.
7. Click "use recommended settings" and then click Next.
8. Click "Complete" and then click Next.
   
9. Click Install.
10. When installation is completed, un-check the "Check for updated definitions and run a quick scan now" box.
11. Click Finish.

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The first time that Defender is run, a Wizard will run to help you with the configure process.

1. Click Start, then All Programs, then Windows Defender.
2. Click the Check for Updates Now button.
3. Wait for this process to complete. This will take several minutes. When the process completes, the "Check for new definitions" alert shield will turn into a green checkmark.
   
   Note: One benefit of Windows Defender is that its updates are part of the normal Windows Update process. You won't need to scan for and apply updates as you did with SpyBot and SpywareBlaster. After the initial update process completes, you no longer need to scan for updates.
   
   Note: The default Defender settings may be left as is. If you would like to explore these settings, please continue.
   
   
4. At the top of the Windows Defender window, click on the Tools link once.
5. In the Settings section, click Options.
6. In the Automatic scanning section, you can select how frequently you wish Defender to scan your computer for threats, what time you would like it to start the scan, and which type of scan you would like it to perform. If desired, you may change these settings but this is not recommended.
   
7. If you made no changes, click Cancel.
   If you made changes, click Save.
8. In the Settings section, click Microsoft SpyNet.
9. Select "I don't want to join Microsoft SpyNet at this time."
10. Click Save.
    
    NOTES ON USAGE:
    • To perform a manual scan with Defender, open Windows Defender. Click the arrow to the right of Scan at the top of the window and then choose Full Scan.
    • Defender will not allow you to schedule more than one automatic scan. If you would like Defender to perform a Full Scan rather than a Quick Scan, click the Tools link, then click Options. In the Type drop-down list, choose (Full system scan). From the Frequency drop-down list, choose a day of the week. Click Save.
    • To read more on Windows Defender, see this article "Protect Your Computer with Windows Defender" from September 28, 2006.
      

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