Understanding Antivirus for University-Owned Devices

Overview

The steps on this page provide guidance for University-owned devices. 

Detail

Steps You Should Take

• If your department has IT support, they will work with you to install Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on your University-owned device. Your IT support staff will let you know if you need to take any specific actions.  
• If your department does not have IT support staff—or you are unsure whether you have IT support staff—please contact the Technology Help Desk. We will help you transition your University-owned device to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.  
• If your department does not have IT support and you have admin rights to your device, you can contact the Technology Help Desk. 
• For maximum protection on Windows devices, Pitt IT recommends using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to guard against ransomware and zero-day attacks. 

Steps the University is Taking

• Pitt IT manages a number of University devices on behalf of departments. Whenever possible, we will automate the installation of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on the devices that we manage.  
• Pitt IT will work closely with departments that manage their own devices to provide guidance and transition tools to help those departments transition their users to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
• The Network Operations Center hosts a number of servers in its managed server hosting environment  We will be working closely with departments on a plan to ensure those servers remain protected.  

Manually Install Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in MacOS or Linux

Windows

Submit a case to have your device checked by your IT group.

MacOS

• Go to Applications and find Self Service.
• Find the title of the application you wish to install - in this case, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
• Click Install.
  
• The progress will be shown on the status dial.
• Once installed, the button turns into Reinstall. (Do not click on it.) You will now be able to find it on your list of Applications. 
  

Linux

1. Run the following commands in Terminal.
   
   sudo dnf install packages-microsoft-prod.rpm
   sudo dpkg -i packages-microsoft-prod.deb
   sudo dnf install mdatp
   sudo apt-get update ; sudo apt-get install mdatp
    
2. Submit a case to have it licensed by your IT group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Review answers to frequently asked questions about the antivirus transition. If you have a question that isn't answered, please contact the Technology Help Desk and let us know so that we can add it.

Help is Always Available

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at any time if you have questions or need assistance moving to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.