Northern Arizona University

What to do if SafeConnect says you need to update or install an anti-virus

Please note: If you have an anti-virus that is not on the SafeConnect supported AV list, you will need to uninstall it and install a supported AV (see Sophos below). Please call the Student Technology Center to report that your AV is not supported and if we get enough requests about support for that AV we can ask SafeConnect to begin support for it.

Need to install an anti-virus

If you are getting your access removed because an anti-virus program is not installed on your computer, you will need to install one. NAU requires that every Windows computer connected to the network has an anti-virus program installed, running, and updated. NAU also provides an anti-virus to students for free: Sophos.

Before installing Sophos, please remove all other anti-virus programs (if you have any installed) from your computer. Go to Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features. Scroll down to your current anti-virus program and remove it. Once the anti-virus is gone, download Sophos from the link above and then run it to install it. The purple Sophos shield will appear in the lower right hand corner of your screen (by the clock) when it has successfully installed.

Once that is done, try accessing the internet again. You may need to restart your computer to get everything fully working.

Need to update an anti-virus

If you are getting your access removed because your anti-virus program is not fully updated, you will need to update your anti-virus software to get internet access. Open your anti-virus console and go to the update option to update your anti-virus. If you pay for an anti-virus subscription, you will need to have a valid, active subscription in order to be given network access. Once your anti-virus is updated, restart your computer and try accessing the internet again.

But I have a supported AV and it's fully updated...What do I do?

If this is happening to you, please try restarting your computer. If the issue is still not resolved, bring your computer to our walk-in center so that we can examine your computer and make sure everything is working properly.