Students leaving class in the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering

Microsoft Defender

Advanced Threat Protection

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender LogoMicrosoft Defender is the standard Anti-Virus solution for SMU-owned computers.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is an industry-leading, cloud-powered endpoint security solution that helps to secure against ransomware, malware, and other sophisticated attacks on Windows. Defender for Endpoint has been chosen as a replacement to Cylance Anti-Virus.


Starting a Quick Scan

While Defender runs continually in the background to protect your device from threats, you can also run a quick virus scan on-demand. 

Windows 10/11

  1. Click the Windows (Start) button in your taskbar, or press the Windows button on your keyboard.
  2. Type "Windows Security" in the search bar and select the Windows Security application in the search results. 
  3. Click the Virus & Threat Protection icon in the Windows Security window. 
  4. Click Quick Scan. Scanning time will vary depending on the number and size of files on your computer.

    screenshot highlighting the location of the Quick scan button


macOS

  1. screenshot of the quick scan being selectedClick the Microsoft Defender icon in the menu bar.
  2. Choose Quick scan.
  3. The Virus & threat protection window will open and the Quick scan should start automatically. If it does not, click the Quick scan button.
    screenshot highlighting the location of the Quick scan button