For Symantec virus protection software, what are my options for updating the virus definitions?

You can obtain the most recent virus definitions (sometimes called protection files or pattern files) from Symantec in several ways. The first option below, running LiveUpdate, is usually the easiest and most effective, but other options are available. Using one method of updating does not preclude the other. On the same computer, you can choose to schedule LiveUpdate automatic updates, and also manually use LiveUpdate or run Intelligent Updater whenever you wish to update your virus definitions.

On this page:

• LiveUpdate
• Intelligent Updater on the web (Windows)
• FTP
• Contact Symantec directly

LiveUpdate

UITS recommends that you schedule the LiveUpdate component of your Symantec program to update your virus definitions daily. See the appropriate link below:

• In Symantec Endpoint Protection, how do I schedule automatic updates and virus scans?
• In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus for Windows, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?
• In Norton AntiVirus for Mac OS or Mac OS X, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?

You can, however, update your virus patterns using LiveUpdate at any time by following the appropriate steps below:

Windows

• Symantec Endpoint Protection: On the left, click Live Update. The window will close automatically when the update process is completed.
  
  
• Symantec/Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition: From the File menu, select LiveUpdate... . If necessary, choose the way you will connect to the LiveUpdate server by clicking Configure... . If relevant to your version of SAV/NAV, check the boxes that apply to what you wish to update (e.g., virus definitions, LiveUpdate).

  Click Next. When the process is complete, click Finish.

Macintosh

1. In Mac OS X, open NAV, which will probably be in your Applications folder. In Mac OS 9.x and earlier, from the Apple menu, choose Control Panels, and then select Norton AntiVirus.
   
   
2. In NAV 6, 7, 8, or 9, from the Utilities menu, select LiveUpdate. In NAV 5 or NAV 10, from the Tools menu, select LiveUpdate... .
   
   
3. In NAV 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, click Update Everything Now. In NAV 5, click Connect.

The LiveUpdate feature will download the pattern files from Symantec's site.

Intelligent Updater on the web (Windows)

On your Windows computer, you can obtain the most recent virus patterns by running Symantec's Intelligent Updater, an alternative to LiveUpdate (which automatically updates your computer's virus patterns). Intelligent Updater is less convenient to use than LiveUpdate, because it is a manual process. Additionally, it may require a larger download, which may be inconvenient if you have a slower speed/lower bandwidth connection (e.g., dial-up). To use Intelligent Updater, follow these instructions:

1. Download the latest virus definitions from Symantec's download page.
   
   
2. Under "Filename", click the first file in the list (it begins with the year and has a format similar to 20070315_018_i32.exe). Save the file to your desktop.
   
   
3. Double-click the filename (if prompted, click Run). Follow the prompts to install the file.

FTP

Symantec also maintains an FTP site.

• For Windows, look in the following directory: ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/antivirus_definitions/norton_antivirus/

  From this page, download a file with a format similar to yyyymmdd-xxx-i32.exe where yyyy is the four-digit year, mm is the month, and dd is the day. For example, 20050915-018-i32.exe would be the file created on September 15, 2005. Always choose the file created most recently.

  If you need to download the virus patterns onto floppy disks, use the files with formats such as yyyymmdd-xxx-i32-1.exe, yyyymmdd-xxx-i32-2.zip, and so forth. They are the files described above, but will fit on 1.44MB disks.

• For Macintosh, choose the directory: ftp://ftp.symantec.com//public/english_us_canada/antivirus_definitions/norton_antivirus_mac/

  From this page, download the BinHex-encoded installer for the current month's definitions. The filename format will be similar to NavMn_Installer_yyyymm_US.hqx, where n is the NAV version number, yyyy is the four-digit year, and mm is the two-digit month. If there is more than one version of the installer, download the most recent one.

Contact Symantec directly

If you prefer, you can contact Symantec customer support for additional options. See the Symantec support page.

Also see:

• In Windows, how do I safely upgrade to the latest Symantec Endpoint or AntiVirus software?
• What is security software?
• In Symantec Endpoint Protection, how do I run a scan for problems?