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
- Web download for Windows or Mac
- 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 Symantec AntiVirus 10 for 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
Note: Symantec AntiVirus (SAV) for Mac OS X (10.5 through 10.6.x) is available from IUware Online (requires Indiana University Network ID).
In Mac OS X, from the Applications folder, open Symantec
AntiVirus (SAV), and click LiveUpdate. 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:
- Download the latest virus definitions from Symantec's
download page.
- Under "Filename", click the first file in the list (it begins with
the year and has a format similar to
20100115_018_i32.exe). Save the file to your desktop.
- 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.exewhereyyyyis the four-digit year,mmis the month, andddis the day. For example,20100115-018-i32.exewould be the file created on January 15, 2010. 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 Mac OS X, look in the following directory:
ftp://ftp.symantec.com//public/english_us_canada/antivirus_definitions/norton_antivirus_mac/
From this page, download the
.zipinstaller for the most current definitions. The filename format will be similar toNavM_Intel_Installer_yyyymmdd_US.hqx, whereyyyyis the four-digit year,mmis the two-digit month, andddis the two-digit day. TheNavM_Intelupdates are for current Norton and Symantec AntiVirus applications on Intel Macs. The files starting withNAVM9are for Power PC and older versions of these applications.
Web download for Windows or Mac
From Symantec's Virus Definitions & Security Updates page, download the appropriate virus definitions for your version of the Symantec or Norton AntiVirus application.
Contact Symantec directly
If you prefer, you can contact Symantec customer support for additional options; see Symantec Support.
Last modified on January 06, 2010.







