Information security software

The University of Helsinki’s Windows 10 computers are equipped with WithSecure’s Client Security antivirus software, which is designed to protect your device against malware and viruses.

• Checking your Windows computer for viruses

The University of Helsinki’s Mac computers are equipped with Microsoft Defender antivirus software, which is designed to protect your device against malware and viruses.

What does Microsoft Defender do?

• It monitors the Mac’s file system in real time and checks for suspicious or harmful changes.
• It prevents malware and viruses before they damage your files or compromise your data.
• It runs quietly in the background so you can focus on your work without interruptions.

What happens if a threat is detected?

• If Microsoft Defender detects anything suspicious, it will report it to our IT team.
  You will not receive any notification of this. Our team will contact you if you need to take any action.

What should I do?

• You don’t need to do anything! Microsoft Defender runs automatically.
• If you notice anything unusual on your Mac or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact IT-Helpdesk.
  For more information, please visit the Microsoft Defender website.

University staff and students can purchase F-Secure’s products at a discount. Read more about information security on your home computer in the separate instructions.

Transmitting confidential information is an important part of information security. There are many ways to encrypt e-mail and attachments at the University. Separate instructions for each of these are available on the Helpdesk site.

Read more about e-mail encryption methods in the separate instructions.

• Microsoft Office 365 Message Encryption
  Microsoft 365’s proprietary e-mail protection method. Works in OWA and Outlook versions. 
   
• Securemail
  Deltagon’s Securemail service allows sending messages securely and receiving the response confidentially to any e-mail address. Using the software does not require any software to be installed on the sender’s or the recipient’s workstation.

• S/MIME encryption
  S/MIME is intended for persons who handle large amounts of confidential information. This option should be implemented by the recommendation of your supervisor or Helpdesk, for example. 

• GnuPG

  GnuPG is a free program for encrypting and signing e-mail traffic and files. There are different versions of the program for almost all operating systems.

• 7-Zip
  Confidential attachments can also be encrypted using the 7-Zip software.