Antivirus software for student laptops

Explains antivirus protection on Bowdoin-issued student MacBooks. All student MacBooks have Microsoft Defender for Endpoint installed and managed by Bowdoin IT, alongside Apple's built-in XProtect malware detection. Covers what each tool does, what data is collected, and how to run a manual scan using Microsoft Defender.

Questions

• What antivirus software is on my Bowdoin-issued student MacBook?
• What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and how does it protect my Mac?
• Does my student MacBook have built-in antivirus protection?
• Will antivirus software slow down my student laptop?
• Does Microsoft Defender collect my personal information?
• How will I know if Microsoft Defender detects something on my Mac?
• How do I run a virus scan on my student MacBook?
• Do I need to do anything to keep my Mac protected?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin students using Bowdoin-issued MacBooks. All Bowdoin-issued student MacBooks have Microsoft Defender for Endpoint installed and managed by Bowdoin IT via Jamf. Applies to macOS Sequoia (15.x) and macOS Tahoe (26.x).

For information about antivirus on personal (non-Bowdoin-issued) computers, see Recommended Antivirus for Personal Computers in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is an enterprise-grade security solution installed on all Bowdoin-issued student MacBooks by Bowdoin IT. It runs continuously in the background, monitoring processes and network activity for unusual behavior and blocking threats in real time. No setup or user action is required — it is configured and updated automatically by Bowdoin IT via Jamf.

Will it slow my Mac down?
No. Defender runs as a lightweight background process with minimal impact on performance.

Does it collect personal information?
No. Defender monitors machine processes and network activity only. It does not have access to your personal files, emails, or other personal data.

How will I know if it finds something?
If Defender detects a threat, a notification will appear on your Mac. Follow any on-screen prompts to quarantine or remove the detected item. Most threats are handled automatically — if IT needs to take action, they may contact you directly.

Apple XProtect

In addition to Microsoft Defender, macOS includes Apple's built-in malware detection system called XProtect. It runs automatically alongside Defender and is updated silently through macOS software updates. No action is needed to enable or manage it.

Running a manual scan

Microsoft Defender scans your Mac continuously in real time, but you can also run a manual scan at any time if you suspect an issue.

Using the menu bar

1. Look for the Microsoft Defender shield icon in the menu bar at the top-right corner of your screen.
2. Click the shield icon and choose Open Microsoft Defender.
3. Click Quick Scan to run an immediate scan of the most common threat locations.
4. For a more thorough check, click Scan options and select Full Scan.
5. Follow any prompts to quarantine or remove detected threats.

Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal (search for it in Launchpad or Spotlight).
2. To run a quick scan, type the following command and press Return:
   sudo mdatp scan quick
3. Enter your Mac password when prompted. Scan results will appear in the Terminal window.
4. For a full scan, use:
   sudo mdatp scan full

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

• Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
• Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
• In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
• Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on macOS — Microsoft Learn