Personal Anti-Virus Protection
New Recommendations in 2020 to migrate to Microsoft Defender
Every year we re-evaluate anti-virus software to make sure we are giving the best recommendations to our community members. In 2020, Computing came to the conclusion that Microsoft's built in Defender software has reached a level of excellence that competes well with Vipre Anti-virus. For this reason, we recommend using Microsoft's product since it comes built in with every current version of Windows. If you are running an older version of Windows that does not have access to Microsoft Defender, we recommend checking your computer's specs to see if you can update to the latest version of Windows. If you can't upgrade, and can't update your computer to newer hardware, we will continue to offer Vipre Licenses. This offer will eventually expire, though.
If you happen to run MalwareBytes, another software that we recommend running in parallel to Microsoft Defender, you may run into some issues. This article from How To Geek explains how to handle these issues.
Vipre Anti-virus for computers that don't support Microsoft Defender
In an effort to help protect our Faculty, Members, Staff and their families at home, the Institute for Advanced Study is now offering free Anti-Virus licenses for personal computers running the Windows operating system.
If you have a personal computer and would like to take advantage of this program, follow the instructions below.
This software only applies to personal computers running a version of the Windows operating system from Microsoft. If you have an IAS supplied computer, this or similar software has already been installed.
For SunbeltSoftware Product Technical Support, please call 800-688-8404 extension 500.
Questions or Comments, please email <security@ias.edu>
Windows 8.1 or Newer
You do not need VIPRE. Convert to Microsoft Defender.
Windows 8 or Older
Notice: Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020. Support for Windows 8 ended on January 12, 2016. If you are still using Windows 7 or 8, your PC may become more vulnerable to security risks. Although VIPRE antivirus may offer some protection, nothing can be done to fully secure unsupported Windows versions.
- Contact your help desk to obtain a license key.
- Download the latest version of VIPRE.
- Open the file you've just downloaded. Follow the instructions on screen, and enter your license key when prompted.