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
- 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:
- From the
Applicationsfolder, openSymantec AntiVirus.
- On the left, click
Schedule.
- In the
Symantec Schedulerwindow that appears, clickNew.
- From the pull-down menu that appears, choose
Product Update.
- In the text box, enter a name for the task, such as
Update virus definitions daily.
- From the pull-down menu under "Choose a product to update", select
Virus Definitions.
- From the pull-down menu next to "Set a Frequency", choose
Daily.
- Using the text box and/or the up or down arrows, choose a time of
day for the update.
- Click
Save, and then close the window.
Symantec AntiVirus 9 for Mac OS X
Note: Symantec AntiVirus 9 is no longer available from IU. The University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends using Symantec AntiVirus 10, available to IU students, faculty, and staff for free from IUware Online, or for $5 on the IUware CD.
By default, Symantec AntiVirus 9 is set to automatically update virus definitions once a month. To change the schedule for updating your virus definitions:
- From the
Applications/Symantec Solutionsfolder, openSymantec Scheduler.
- In the
Symantec Schedulerwindow, under "Scheduled Events", highlightUpdate Virus Protection, and then clickEdit.
- In the
Update Virus Protectionwindow 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).
- From the pull-down menu under "Choose a product to update:", make
sure
Virus Definitionsis selected.
- From the pull-down menu next to "Set a Frequency", select
Daily.
- Next to "Set the time:", select the time of day you would like
LiveUpdate to run.
- To save your changes and close the window, click
Save.
Scheduling weekly virus scans
Symantec AntiVirus 10
- From the
Applicationsfolder, openSymantec AntiVirus.
- On the left, click
Schedule.
- In the
Symantec Schedulerwindow that appears, clickNew.
- In the pull-down window, click
AntiVirus Scan.
- In the
Add AntiVirus Scan Taskwindow, type a name for the task, such asWeekly hard drive virus scan.
- Select an item to scan, such as your hard drive, either by using the
Browsebutton, or by dragging the item's icon into the text box.
- Using the slider tool, set a priority for the task.
- Using the pull-down menu, select
Weeklyas the frequency for the virus scan.
- Select a day of the week for your virus scan by clicking the
corresponding button (
Sun-Sat).
- Choose the time of day your virus scan should run by using the
text box or the up or down arrows.
- 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.
Also see:
- In Mac OS and Mac OS X, how can I protect myself from viruses?
- Using Norton AntiVirus for Mac OS or Mac OS X, how do I immediately scan a file, folder, or drive for viruses?
- What is security software?
Last modified on November 14, 2008.






