In Symantec AntiVirus for Mac OS X, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?

The Indiana University University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends that you update your virus definitions daily, and scan your computer weekly.

To configure LiveUpdate to automatically update your virus definitions, follow the appropriate steps below.

On this page:

• Updating virus definitions
  • Symantec AntiVirus 10 for Mac OS X
  • Symantec AntiVirus 9 for Mac OS X
• Scheduling weekly virus scans (Symantec AntiVirus 10 for Mac OS X)

Updating virus definitions

Symantec AntiVirus 10 for Mac OS X

To schedule a time to automatically update your virus definitions with LiveUpdate:

1. From the Applications folder, open Symantec AntiVirus.
   
   
2. On the left, click Schedule.
   
   
3. In the Symantec Scheduler window that appears, click New.
   
   
4. From the pull-down menu that appears, choose Product Update.
   
   
5. In the text box, enter a name for the task, such as Update virus definitions daily.
   
   
6. From the pull-down menu under "Choose a product to update", select Virus Definitions.
   
   
7. From the pull-down menu next to "Set a Frequency", choose Daily.
   
   
8. Using the text box and/or the up or down arrows, choose a time of day for the update.
   
   
9. Click Save, and then close the window.

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Symantec AntiVirus 9 for Mac OS X

Note: Symantec AntiVirus 9 is no longer available from Indiana University. The University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends using Symantec AntiVirus 10, available to IU students, faculty, and staff for free from IUware Online.

By default, Symantec AntiVirus 9 is set to automatically update virus definitions once a month. To change the schedule for updating your virus definitions:

1. From the Applications/Symantec Solutions folder, open Symantec Scheduler.
   
   
2. In the Symantec Scheduler window, under "Scheduled Events", highlight Update Virus Protection, and then click Edit.
   
   
3. In the Update Virus Protection window that opens, under "Enter a name for the task:", you may type a new name for the event if you wish (e.g., Daily LiveUpdate).
   
   
4. From the pull-down menu under "Choose a product to update:", make sure Virus Definitions is selected.
   
   
5. From the pull-down menu next to "Set a Frequency", select Daily.
   
   
6. Next to "Set the time:", select the time of day you would like LiveUpdate to run.
   
   
7. To save your changes and close the window, click Save.

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Scheduling weekly virus scans

Symantec AntiVirus 10

1. From the Applications folder, open Symantec AntiVirus.
   
   
2. On the left, click Schedule.
   
   
3. In the Symantec Scheduler window that appears, click New.
   
   
4. In the pull-down window, click AntiVirus Scan.
   
   
5. In the Add AntiVirus Scan Task window, type a name for the task, such as Weekly hard drive virus scan.
   
   
6. Select an item to scan, such as your hard drive, either by using the Browse button, or by dragging the item's icon into the text box.
   
   
7. Using the slider tool, set a priority for the task.
   
   
8. Using the pull-down menu, select Weekly as the frequency for the virus scan.
   
   
9. Select a day of the week for your virus scan by clicking the corresponding button (Sun-Sat).
   
   
10. Choose the time of day your virus scan should run by using the text box or the up or down arrows.
    
    
11. Click Save.

Symantec AntiVirus will run LiveUpdate automatically at the day and time 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. You can also 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.

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