Any device connecting to the University of Cambridge network or systems, must have anti-virus software installed.

Computers managed and supported by CSCS

CSCS is now running the University Managed Desktop (UMD) service and as such, this comes with anti-virus pre-installed, so there is nothing you need to do, as this is managed & updated centrally.
- If you are on a Windows device - you will have the University managed Windows Defender already installed.
- If you are running macOS - you will have the University managed Trellix EDR already installed.
- If you are running Linux- you will have the University managed Trellix EDR already installed.

Computers not managed or supported by CSCS

If you are connecting to the University network , using is a University owned device (one that has been paid for by your department, the University or through a grant) but it is NOT running the University Managed Desktop (UMD) then it is important that you should use the University’s managed anti-virus solution called Trellix.
See the installation files & guides below on how to install it, for your computer's operating system:

To download the software when on the University Network (ie. on a wired connection or when using Eduroam & the UIS VPN) click the link here - Trellix software (Linux - on network)
To download the software when outside the University network (eg. at home) click on the link here - Trellix software (Linux - off network)
To install the software, you will need to:
- Extract the install package
- Open Terminal, then switch to the location where you copied the installdeb.sh file
- $chmod +x ./installdeb.sh , $sudo ./installdeb.sh -i OR $sudo ./installdeb.sh

To download the software when on the University Network (ie. on a wired connection or when using Eduroam & the UIS VPN) click the link here - Trellix software (macOS - on network)
To download the software when outside the University network (eg. at home) click on the link here - Trellix software (macOS - off network)
Follow the guide here to install it - https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/security/antivirus/mac

To download the software when on the University Network (ie. on a wired connection or when using Eduroam & the UIS VPN) click the link here - Trellix software (Windows - on network)
To download the software when outside the University network (eg. at home) click on the link here - Trellix software (Windows - off network)
Follow the guide here to install it https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/security/antivirus/windows

After installing Trellix please email the Service Desk with your computer name and username you used so that we can set it up on our end.

If you want a free anti-virus solution for a home/personal computer, you can install free Trellix (McAfee) from the University Website.

What is managed anti-virus software?

This is software owned & managed by the University where the installation, updates are all managed centrally and monitored through a central console so that if a computer gets attacked, an infection, or an installation problem, for example, IT staff will get alerted and will contact the person running the computer.

It is important to respond to CSCS support staff contacting you about an alert or infection regarding your anti-virus software on your computer.

How to tell if my computer has anti-virus software?

On a CSCS managed Windows device, select the upward arrow icon in the bottom right of your screen, near the clock which takes you to the system tray. A menu will expand that displays icons for programs running on your PC. If a blue and white shield icon appears which means Windows Defender is installed and running correctly.
On a CSCS managed macOS device, you will see an icon that looks like a blue and green forward slash
, meaning you have Trellix installed and running correctly.
You can select the icon to see further information or run a scan.