In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus for Windows, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?

Note: The Indiana University Information Technology Security Office (ITSO) recommends that you run the latest version of Symantec/Norton AntiVirus (SAV/NAV) software (available to IU students, faculty, and staff for free via IUware Online, or for $5 on the IUware CD) for your operating system, being sure to upgrade safely (see In Windows, how do I safely upgrade to the latest Symantec Endpoint or AntiVirus software?), and that you update your virus definitions daily and scan your computer weekly.

After you have followed the appropriate set of instructions below, SAV/NAV will run LiveUpdate (which updates your virus definitions, sometimes called protection files or pattern files) and scan for viruses automatically at the time and day you set. If you are connected via Ethernet, LiveUpdate will use that existing Internet connection. If you are connected by modem and have a PPP connection, LiveUpdate will automatically get the updates from Symantec. If LiveUpdate prompts you to choose how to connect to the Symantec web site (in order to obtain the latest virus pattern files), choose the default setting Find device automatically. (A less commonly used option is to set LiveUpdate to get the information by dialing the Symantec update phone number; in this case, you will be billed for a long distance call.)

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

The instructions for scheduling regular LiveUpdates and virus scans vary according to your operating system and which version of SAV/NAV is installed on your computer. For help determining your version of SAV/NAV, see In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus, how do I check the version number of the program and the age of the virus pattern update?

Note: For best results, run security software scans in Safe Mode. If you don't scan in Safe Mode, the software may not be able to detect or remove each security threat it finds. For more information about Safe Mode and how to enter it, see In Windows 2000 or XP, how can I boot into Safe Mode?

On this page:

• Windows 2000, XP, and Vista
• Windows NT
• Windows 95, 98, and Me

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Windows 2000 and XP

Symantec/Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, and 10.x

To schedule a time to automatically update your virus pattern files:

1. From the Start menu, select Programs or All Programs, then Symantec Client Security or Symantec/Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition, and then Symantec AntiVirus Client or Symantec/Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition.

   Alternatively, in the system tray portion of the Taskbar (typically on the lower right of your screen), right-click the Symantec/Norton AntiVirus icon (which looks like a shield) and select Open Symantec/Norton AntiVirus... .

2. From the File menu, choose Schedule Updates... .
   
   
3. Make sure the box labeled Enable scheduled automatic updates is checked. Click Schedule... .
   
   
4. You can now schedule a specific time for updates to occur. UITS recommends setting the "Frequency" to Daily. When you are done, click OK.

To schedule a virus scan after your virus pattern files have been updated:

1. Launch SAV/NAV as in step 1 above.
   
   
2. From the Edit menu, choose New Scheduled Scan.

   In 10.x, you will next be prompted to choose the type of scan. Do so, and click Next.

3. In the field labeled "Name:", type the name of this scan (for example, Weekly Scan). Click Next.
   
   
4. Make sure that the box labeled Enable scan is checked. You can now schedule how often and at what time of the day you want the scan to occur. UITS recommends setting the "Frequency" to Weekly. Click Next when done.
   
   
5. Note: This step may not appear in 10.x.

   You will be prompted to select the drives you want to scan. UITS recommends scanning all your hard drives Check the box next to each drive you want to scan. The Options... button will allow you to configure what file types you wish to scan and what actions you wish to take upon finding a virus. UITS recommends leaving these at the default settings.

6. Click Save to finish scheduling your virus scan.

Note: You may also wish to configure SAV to scan for extended threats such as spyware and adware. See How can SAV for Windows scan for spyware and adware, as well as for viruses?

Windows NT

Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.x, 8.x, and 9.x

To schedule a time to automatically update your virus pattern files:

1. Click Start, then Programs, and then Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition. In the resulting submenu, again click Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition to start NAV.
   
   
2. Click the File menu and then Schedule Updates.
   
   
3. Make sure the box labeled Enable scheduled automatic updates is checked. Click Schedule.
   
   
4. You can now schedule a specific time for LiveUpdates to occur. UITS recommends setting the "Frequency" to Weekly. Click OK, and then in the next window, click OK again. In the Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition window, click Exit.

To schedule a virus scan after your virus pattern files have been updated:

1. Click Start, then Programs, and then Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition. From the resulting submenu, again select Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition to start NAV.
   
   
2. Click the Edit menu and then New Scheduled Scan.
   
   
3. In the field labeled "Name:", type the name of this scan (for example, Weekly Scan). Click Next.
   
   
4. Make sure that the box labeled Enable scan is checked. You can now schedule how often and at what time of the day you want the scan to occur. UITS recommends setting the "Frequency" to Weekly. Click Next when done.
   
   
5. You can now select what drives you want to scan. UITS recommends scanning all your hard drives. Check the box next to each drive you want to scan. The Options button will allow you to configure what file types you wish to scan and what actions you wish to take upon finding a virus. UITS recommends leaving these at the default settings. Click OK to exit this screen.
   
   
6. Click Save to finish scheduling your virus scan. In the Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition window, click Exit.

Note: You may also wish to configure SAV to scan for extended threats such as spyware and adware. See How can SAV for Windows scan for spyware and adware, as well as for viruses?

Norton AntiVirus 2000

1. Click Start, then Programs, then Norton AntiVirus, and then Norton AntiVirus 2000.
   
   
2. In the Norton AntiVirus window that appears, click Scheduling.
   
   
3. Click the New Event... button, and follow the instructions on the screen to schedule regular LiveUpdates and/or scans. UITS recommends weekly scans.

Norton AntiVirus version 5.02

1. Click Start, then Programs, then Norton AntiVirus, and then Schedule a Scan or LiveUpdate.
   
   
2. In the Scheduled Tasks window that appears, double-click Add Scheduled Task. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to schedule your regular LiveUpdate and/or virus scans. UITS recommends weekly scans.

Norton AntiVirus version 5.01 and earlier

1. Click Start. From the menu that appears, select Programs, then Norton AntiVirus, and then Norton Program Scheduler.
   
   
2. Highlight Run LiveUpdate (for Norton AntiVirus) or Scan for Viruses. If neither is listed, click Add, then Type of event, and select Run LiveUpdate (for Norton AntiVirus) or Scan for Viruses.
   
   
3. Select the frequency, day of week, and time you wish NAV to perform these events. UITS recommends weekly scans. If you are in the Add Event window, make sure that Enable this event is selected. Click OK.
   
   
4. When asked if you'd like to save your changes, click OK.

Windows 95, 98, and Me

Note: UITS recommends that you use a current version of Windows on computers connected to the Indiana University network. For more information, see For Windows computers on the IU network, why does UITS recommend Windows 2000, XP Professional, or Vista Enterprise or Ultimate? Security features on the IU network prevent Windows 95, 98, 98SE, and Me computers from authenticating to ADS, printing to some network printers in departments and campus housing, and mapping drives to other computers.

Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.x, 8.x, and 9.x

To schedule a time to automatically update your virus pattern files:

1. Click Start, then Programs, and then Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition to start NAV.
   
   
2. Click the File menu and then Schedule Updates.
   
   
3. Make sure the box labeled Enable scheduled automatic updates is checked. Click Schedule.
   
   
4. You can now schedule a specific time for updates to occur. UITS recommends setting the "Frequency" to Weekly. Click OK when done.

To schedule a virus scan after your virus pattern files have been updated:

1. Click Start, then Programs, and then Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition to start NAV.
   
   
2. Click the Edit menu and then New Scheduled Scan.
   
   
3. In the field labeled "Name:", type the name of this scan (for example, Weekly Scan). Click Next.
   
   
4. Make sure that the box labeled Enable scan is checked. You can now schedule how often and at what time of the day you want the scan to occur. UITS recommends setting the "Frequency" to Weekly. Click Next when done.
   
   
5. You can now select what drives you want to scan. UITS recommends scanning all your hard drives. Check the box next to each drive you want to scan. The Options button will allow you to configure what file types you wish to scan and what actions you wish to take upon finding a virus. UITS recommends leaving these at the default settings.
   
   
6. Click Save to finish scheduling your virus scan.

Note: You may also wish to configure SAV to scan for extended threats such as spyware and adware. See How can SAV for Windows scan for spyware and adware, as well as for viruses?

Norton AntiVirus 2000 or version 5.02

1. Click Start. From the menu that appears, click Programs, then Norton AntiVirus, and then Schedule a Scan or LiveUpdate.
   
   
2. In the Scheduled Tasks window that appears, double-click Add Scheduled Task. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to schedule your regular LiveUpdate and/or scan. UITS recommends weekly scans.

Norton AntiVirus version 5.01 and earlier

1. Click Start. From the menu that appears, select Programs, then Norton AntiVirus, and then Norton Program Scheduler.
   
   
2. Highlight Run LiveUpdate (for Norton AntiVirus) or Scan for Viruses. If they are not listed, click the Add button. In the Add Event window, click Type of event. Select Run LiveUpdate (for Norton AntiVirus) or Scan for Viruses.
   
   
3. Select the frequency, day of week, and time you wish Norton to run the event. UITS recommends weekly scans. If you are in the Add Event window, make sure that Enable this event is selected. Click OK.
   
   
4. When asked if you'd like to save your changes, click OK again.

Also see:

• Using Symantec/Norton AntiVirus for Windows, how do I scan network drives for viruses?
• In Windows, why does Symantec software try to dial long distance during a LiveUpdate?
• In Symantec Endpoint Protection and SAV/NAV Corporate Edition for Windows, how do I change the settings for dealing with a detected virus?
• In Windows, why won't my computer wake up to run a scheduled Symantec AntiVirus scan?
• How can SAV for Windows scan for spyware and adware, as well as for viruses?
• What is security software?