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

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You can obtain the most recent virus definitions (also known as protection files or pattern files) from Symantec in several ways. Running LiveUpdate (the first option below) 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

UITS recommends scheduling LiveUpdate to automatically update your virus definitions daily. For instructions, see:

Additionally, you can run LiveUpdate any time you want to update your virus definitions.

For Windows:

In Symantec Endpoint Protection, on the left, click Live Update. The window will close automatically when the update is complete.
In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition, from the File menu, select LiveUpdate... . If necessary, choose which 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.

For Mac OS X:

Note: Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) for Mac OS X (10.4 through 10.6.x) is available from IUware (requires Indiana University Network ID).

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

In Mac OS X, from the Applications folder, open Symantec Solutions, and then click LiveUpdate. LiveUpdate will download the virus definitions from Symantec's site.

Intelligent Updater on the web

Symantec's Intelligent Updater is an alternative to LiveUpdate for obtaining the most recent virus definitions. 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 low bandwidth connection.

To download and use Intelligent Updater, on Symantec's Virus Definitions & Security Updates page, under "Download Definitions by Product", use the drop-down list to:

For Windows, click Symantec Endpoint Protection. On the Symantec Endpoint Protection page, client installation downloads are sorted by platform (e.g., Windows 32- 64-bit, Unix). Locate the platform that matches your system, find the .exe file that supports Symantec Endpoint Protection, and then double-click it to download it to your hard drive. On your computer, locate the downloaded .exe file, and then double-click it to run the Intelligent Updater.
For Mac OS X, under "AntiVirus for Macintosh", select the download for the application you have installed.

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/
Download the file with the format yyyymmdd-xxx-i32.exe (for 32-bit systems) or yyyymmdd-xxx-i64.exe (for 64-bit systems), in which yyyy is the year, mm is the month, and dd is the day. Always choose the file created most recently.
For Mac OS X, look in the following directory: ftp://ftp.symantec.com//public/english_us_canada/antivirus_definitions/norton_antivirus_mac/
Download the .zip with the format NavM_Intel_Installer_yyyymmdd_US.hqx, where yyyy is the year, mm is the month, and dd is the day. Always choose the file created most recently. Update files starting with NavM_Intel are for current Norton and Symantec AntiVirus applications on Intel Macs. Files starting with NAVM9 are for Power PC and older versions of these applications.

Contact Symantec directly

For additional options, contact Symantec customer support directly.

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Last modified on August 31, 2010.