Run Software Update regularly
Update Anti-Virus Definitions regularly
Make sure Norton AutoProtect is turned on
Repair the permissions on your Hard Drive

For Macintosh Computers with OS 8 or 9:

Click Here

Run Software Update Regularly

Software update checks the Internet for the latest patches for all your software, including OS X. It’s important to run this and install the updates at least once per month. To run software update, go to the Apple menu and select "Software Update":

Once in Software Update, check every item that you want to install (you’ll generally want all of them) and then click "Install" in the bottom right corner. It will take a while to install the updates and optimize the hard drive, but it will be worth it!

Back to Top

Update Anti-Virus Definitions Regularly

Anti-virus programs are an excellent form of protection, but they are only as good as the most recent update. Even if you updated your definitions the week before a virus comes out, you are at risk until you get the latest update that protects against that new virus. On your Windows-based campus computers, Symantec AntiVirus connects to a special server and updates itself automatically every day. However, you will need to update your Macintosh, home, or dorm computer manually. The process generally takes less than a minute, and the Help Desk recommends running the updates at least once per week.

You will also want to make sure that "File System Realtime Protection" is enabled on your system. For instructions on enabling this option, Click Here.

To update Symantec/Norton’s virus definitions, open a Finder window, select "Applications" and then double click "Norton AntiVirus" to open the program:

Once Norton is loaded, click on "LiveUpdate" in the upper left corner:

Select the middle option, "Update Everything Now":

Once Norton AntiVirus is done updating, it will give you a summary. Click "OK":

Back to Top

Make Sure Norton AutoProtect is Turned On

You also want to make sure that Norton AutoProtect is turned on for the best virus protection. To do so, select the Norton icon in the top right corner of your desktop screen, move your mouse over "Norton AutoProtect," and click "Turn AutoProtect On." If this says "Turn AutoProtect Off," then it is already on and you should leave it alone.

Back to Top

Repair the Permissions on Your Hard Drive (once per month)

Many errors in OS X occur because of faulty permissions on the hard drive. You can generally prevent this by running the repair permissions function in the Macintosh Disk Utility. The Help Desk recommends running it about once per month. To repair permissions, open a Finder window, select "Applications," and then double click the "Utilities" folder to open it:

Find and double click "Disk Utility" to open the program:

Select the volume on which you’d like to run the repair (for most people, it will just read "Macintosh HD") and then click "Repair Disk Permissions" at the bottom. The process is automatic and will take around 30 minutes to complete.

Back to Top

For Macintosh Computers with OS 8 or 9

• Rebuild the desktop (once per month). To do so, restart the computer while holding down the Option and Command keys. Once you see the dialogue box notifying you that rebuilding your desktop will take a few minutes, let go of the keys.
• Consider purchasing a program like Norton Utilities to help maintain and clean up your hard drive. We strongly recommend this for Mac users running OS 9 or below.

* If your Mac is causing problems or generating frequent errors, try “Zapping the P-RAM.” Note, however, that this will reset your video and network settings and may cause problems with printing. To zap the P-RAM, restart the computer while holding down the Command, Option, “P” and “R” keys. Wait for your computer to chime twice, and then let go.

Last updated 07/12/04

Back to Top