Antivirus Software
Active/up-to-date antivirus software should be installed on any computer accessing the Fitchburg State University network.
Windows users should turn on Windows Defender for antivirus protection.
macOS comes with built-in security, however, it is always wise to protect your computer with antivirus software. Check the reviews on TechRadar to find the best free antivirus software available for macOS.
The Help Desk is available to help you maintain your system and encourages everyone to be safe in the Internet and network environments.
Security Updates
Keep your operating system up-to-date by installing security updates. We recommend you configure your computer update settings to automatically check for and install updates.
macOS
Click on the Apple icon on the upper left of your computer. Choose "App Store..." and click "Updates" to download any available updates.
Windows
Use Windows Update to download and install available updates from Microsoft.
Upgrade Your Operating System
Upgrade your computer operating system to a newer version if the version installed on your computer is old and no longer supported by the manufacturer.
macOS
The latest version of macOS is available for free through the Apple App Store.
Windows
Faculty, staff and students can purchase current versions of Windows at a discount. Visit our software discounts page for more information.
Computer Maintenance Tools
CCleaner clears your system of temporary internet files, history, cookies, recently viewed documents, and more. CCleaner includes a registry cleaner, a startup program editor, and an advanced uninstall tool.
An alternative to the built-in defragmenting utility in Windows, Defraggler provides an informative visual interpretation of the fragmentation of your hard drive and includes the ability to defragment individual files.
An anti-malware program that removes spyware, adware, viruses, trojans, and some rootkits. Scanning and updates must be started manually. Spybot S&D provides an immunization feature to block known harmful websites and cookies.
Spyware Blaster blocks malware before it enters your computer by using blacklists of known bad websites and cookies to bolster your browser security.