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How to install Sophos Antivirus?

The Sophos Antivirus software installation procedure is very simple to perform. Follow the how to install Sophos Antivirus instructions given below to install the Sophos Antivirus on your Windows and Mac system.

how to install Sophos Antivirus

Install Sophos Antivirus Windows

Before proceeding to the installation process, you have to create an account with Sophos if you do not have one.

  • Make sure your computer is compatible with the Sophos Antivirus program.
  • Launch the Sophos Antivirus on your system. The next how to install Sophos Antivirus step is to sign into the Sophos Home Dashboard.
  • Tap the Download button once you log in successfully.
  • Wait till the download is over and then run the sophosinstall.exe file to begin the installation.
  • Click the Yes button in the User Account Control screen.
  • The files will be extracted in the next Sophos install step. Tap the Install button in the next step.
  • After the installation is complete, click the Finish button.

Install Sophos Antivirus Mac

  • Make sure you have a Sophos Account before you install the Antivirus program. You will be prompted to sign in using your Sophos account.
  • Ensure that your Mac system is compatible with the software.
  • First, log into the Sophos Home Dashboard using the appropriate credentials.
  • On the Protect this Mac screen, select the Download option to download the Antivirus setup file.
  • Access the Downloads folder and then you have to double-click on SophosInstall to launch the Installer.
  • Next, find the Sophos Installer.app and double-click on it. The installation will begin.
  • Click the Open button when a Security Warning is displayed on your screen.
  • Tap Continue on the next screen and provide the Username and Password of the mac system.
  • Wait till the installation procedure completes and click Close when The Installation Was Successful message appears.

Steps To Activate Sophos 

  • The first step of the activation process is to sign into your Sophos Central account.
  • Make sure to enter the proper credentials while signing in.
  • There is a drop-down menu available near your Account icon.
  • Choose the Licensing option from that drop-down list.
  • In the text box provided for Apply Activation Code, enter the Activation Code that contains 30 characters.
  • Tap the Apply option to activate your license.

How to Enable Real-time Protection In Sophos?

  • Go with the how to install Sophos Antivirus guidelines that are given here for turning On the Real-Time Protection feature in the Sophos software.
  • Log into your Sophos Home dashboard.
  • Select the name of the personal computer in which you wish to enable the real-time protection feature.
  • Navigate to the Protection tab and then click on the General button.
  • Under the Real-Time Protection menu, the switch must be toggled to the On state.

How to Activate Sophos Parental Control?

  • First, sign into your personal system by typing the admin account and the password.
  • Open the System Preferences dialog box and then click on the Parental Controls option.
  • Choose the Padlock icon present at the bottom of the Sophos install screen and then authenticate your admin account.
  • From the left side, choose the user account and then find the Allowed Apps filter on the Apps tab.
  • Enter Sophos into the search field and then place a checkmark next to all the apps that have a Sophos icon. Exit the System Preferences dialog box.

How to add a child to your Sophos account?

  • Set a Web Filtering option for the IP addresses of the devices.
  • Navigate to the Servers section and then make a note of the Range of the DHCP Server.
  • Click the Network Definitions option in the Definitions and Users tab.
  • Create a definition of Host type followed by the name of your device.
  • Select the Web Filtering Profiles option in the Web Protection window.
  • Add a filer action for your kid and the create a Filter Assignment.
  • Set a profile for your kid to complete the process.

How to Modify Child Access?

If you wish to block a group of web pages in the Web Filtering tab, then use the Web Gateway option. The categories which are available in the Sophos software are given below. Based on your necessity, you can block any of the categories.

Security Categories

  • Anonymizers
  • Newly registered web pages

Productivity Categories

  • Alcohol and tobacco
  • Criminal Activity
  • Hacking

It is suggested to block most of the options that are available in the Productivity category.

Excessive Bandwidth

  • Live video
  • Live audio

Others

  • Advertisements
  • Parked Domains
  • Social Networking and Dating
  • Online Chat
  • Business networking
  • Personals and Dating

How to configure Sophos Parental Control?

To configure Sophos Parental Control, follow the step-by-step how to install Sophos Antivirus instructions given below.

  • Launch the Sophos Antivirus on your system.
  • Select the Control Panel options, followed by User Account & Family Safety.
  • Select the Set up Family Safety for any user option.
  • Select a user you wish to add as Parental Control.
  • Click the On, enforce current Sophos install settings option to turn on the Family Safety feature.
  • If you want to monitor the activity of the parental user, then click the On, collect information about PC usage option.
  • Set the Web Filtering and Windows Store apps access as required.
  • Finally, click the OK button. Now the Sophos parental control option is configured successfully.
Sophos install

Steps to enable and configure Sophos Firewall Settings

  • First, you need to create a Sophos ID to enable & configure Sophos firewall settings.
  • Log into the Sophos official site.
  • Click the Sign in icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
  • Click Create Sophos ID in the Sign in the dialog box.
  • Enter the first name, last name, and e-mail address in the given filed and checkmark the box next to I’m not a robot.
  • Click the Register button. Now a default password and a link are sent to your registered e-mail address.
  • Click the link, type the default password, and select the Save Password button.
  • Type the registered e-mail address and password in the required fields and click the Sign In button.
  • Enter the required data when prompted to finish the Sophos ID creation.
  • Now, set the set up as given in the user guide.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the configure process.

How to scan and detect Malware in Sophos?

  • Download and install the Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the official site of the Sophos.
  • Run the downloaded Sophos Virus Removal Tool on your system.
  • Click the Start Scanning button to begin the scan operation.
  • Once the scan process is done, the Sophos Virus removal tool detects and removes the malware on your system.
  • Click the Done button.
detecting malware

How to create Custom Sophos Scan?

To create the Custom Sophos scan feature, follow the how to install Sophos Antivirus procedures as discussed below.

  • Launch the Sophos antivirus on your system.
  • Click the Antivirus & HIPS option followed by Scans.
  • Select the Set up a new scan option.
  • Enter the Scan name in the required box when prompted.
  • Choose the folder or files you wish to scan in the Items to scan tag.
  • Click the Configure this scan option to configure the scan operation.
  • Similarly, to schedule the scan, click the Schedule this scan option.
  • Click the Save and start button.
  • Now the Sophos antivirus will start to scan the selected files or folders.

How to Configure Schedule Sophos Scan?

  • The first step is to verify which Antivirus and HIPS policy you are using.
  • Once you identify that, navigate to the Policies pane.
  • Find the Antivirus and HIPS option and double-click on it.
  • Search for the policy you wish to change. Double-click on it to launch the Anti-Virus and HIPS Policy dialog box.
  • Go to the Set Up and Manage Scheduled Scans list, and choose the Scan option.
  • Click the Edit button, and the Scheduled Scan Settings window will open.
  • Select the Sophos install Scan Files For option and configure the settings you want to.
  • Choose the location or drive that you want to scan and save the settings.

How to Enable Safe Online Banking Protection In Sophos?

  • To enable the Safe Online Banking Protection on Sophos Antivirus, follow the procedure given here.
  • Navigate to the Protection tab and select the Web option.
  • Search for the Safe Online Banking option and click on it.
  • Choose the Advanced Settings option in the proceeding step.
  • Enable the Protect Against Keyloggers option by clicking the circle present next to it.

How to Activate Sophos Safebrowsing?

  • Go to the Group folder and select the View/Edit Group Policy Details option.
  • Verify the policy that is applied to that particular Group.
  • The next step is to expand the Antivirus and HIPS option.
  • Find the policy to be edited and right-click on it.
  • Choose the Web Protection option once the Anti-Virus and HIPS Policy dialog box opens.
  • Select the ON option from the drop-down list available near the Block Access to Malicious Websites option.

How to Enable Keylogger in Sophos?

  • To enable protection against Keyloggers, follow the how to install Sophos Antivirus procedure given below.
  • Keyloggers are often denied access so that the hackers cannot find the passwords and card numbers you use.
  • To do so, go to the Protection tab. Search for the Safe Online Banking option under the Web menu.
  • Select the Advanced Settings option and enable the Protection Against Keyloggers option.
  • Once you enable that feature, the hackers will not have a track of your credentials or card details.

How to Configure Sophos Anti Theft?

  • Make sure that you set the Sophos install as Device Administrator and then touch the Activate button.
  • Swipe the display to the left. This will open the Lock screen dialog box.
  • Open the Location services window by swiping the screen to the left.
  • After you move the screen to the left, the Secure wipe menu will appear.
  • Choose a Fast or Secure wipe for each file type.
  • Once the screen is swiped to the left, all the phone numbers will get displayed on the window.
  • Users can specify up to five mobile numbers that can be used for locating and locking the device remotely.
  • Sending a correct text message from these numbers will either locate or lock the device as soon as possible.
  • Select the phone number carefully.
  • The Loss & Theft feature will send a few responses, such as a text message to the sender’s number.
  • Provide the phone number without any spaces and with area or country code.
  • You can also choose a number from your contacts list. Ensure that you type at least one phone number.
  • The Text message password screen gets displayed once you swipe the window to the left.
  • To set a secret password for locating and locking your device, press the Configure button.
  • ow the Loss & Theft feature is configured, and you can utilize it for locking your device when it is lost or stolen.

Steps to enable and Configure Sophos Email Security

  • The Email Security feature offers protection against spoofing, virus, spam, and advanced threats.
  • To add email addresses, open the Sophos software and then navigate to the Settings section.
  • Select the Email Security option, and now you can start configuring the email settings.
  • Click on the link that is available in the Email Security Setup dialog box to get the newest version of the AD sync app.
  • Select the Continue button for adding the email domains.
  • In the email security policy, you can configure the spam protection feature.
  • Through the allow and block lists of senders, configure the global controls in the Spam section.

How to Block Phishing emails?

  • You do not require any particular Sophos install configuration for blocking the phishing emails in the Sophos software.
  • Cyberoam Anti Spam and Anti Virus feature controls POP2, IMAP, and SMTP phishing.
  • The Cyberoam's Anti Spam and Anti Virus option analyzes the content of each email and detects any illegal, fraud, or hacker URL is present.
  • If an email message is found as a phishing mail, the Cyberoam feature updates the filtering database, and the email will get discarded automatically.

Steps to Exclude certain file or folder's from Real-time Scan in Sophos

  • Log into the Dashboard of the Sophos software.
  • Choose the personal computer in which you wish to do the exclusion.
  • Click on the Antivirus Protection option and scroll down to select the Exceptions button.
  • Type the name of the folder or file in the appropriate field.
  • Click the Enter key to exclude it as an exception in the Real-Time scanning process.

How to manage Quarantine Files in Sophos?

  • To maintain the Quarantine files in Sophos, follow the how to install Sophos Antivirus instructions as given below.
  • Launch the Sophos antivirus program on your system.
  • Click the Yes button to allow the User Account Control action.
  • Click the Manage Quarantine items and select the Available actions option.
  • Select an action you wish to perform from the Available actions list and click the OK button.

How to delete a virus quarantine file location?

To delete a virus in quarantine file location, perform the instructions as given below.

  • Open the Sophos Antivirus application on your computer.
  • Select the User Account Control option if prompted and click the Yes button.
  • The User account control option will help you to access the actions.
  • Select the Manage Quarantine items option.
  • Choose the Available options tag.
  • Click the Delete button in the Available actions column.
  • The Sophos Antivirus will delete all the virus stored in the quarantine file location.

How to do Sophos Antivirus Update?

  • To update the Sophos Antivirus, perform the step-by-step Sophos install instructions given below.
  • Make sure that the Sophos Antivirus program is closed on your system.
  • Open a web browser, go to the Sophos official site.
  • Search for the latest version and click the Download button.
  • Wait for the Sophos Antivirus software to download on your system.
  • Open the downloaded software file to begin the installation process.
  • Click the Run button followed by Open File. Click the Yes button.
  • As soon as you click Yes, the latest Sophos Antivirus file will be automatically installed on your system.

Backup & Restore with Sophos

To backup and restore data with Sophos Antivirus, follow the how to install Sophos Antivirus instructions given below.

  • To back up the files, open the Sophos Antivirus program on your system.
  • Select the Backup & Firmware option and click the Backup & Restore tab.
  • Select the Backup mode by clicking the Radio button next to the backup mode types.
  • Insert the prefix to the filename in the Backup prefix category.
  • Select the Frequency and Schedule option in the drop-down menu. Click the Apply button.
  • To restore the files, click the Backup Now button next to Apply.
  • Click the Upload and Restore button on the Backup Restore section.
  • Now the selected files will be restored to your computer successfully.

Restore default settings in Sophos

To restore default Sophos install settings in Sophos UTM, you can follow the guidelines(without typing the quotes) which are given below.

  • To reset through the command line, go to the UTM console as loginuser.
  • Type the command 'su -' to login as root.
  • Next, type 'cc'.
  • The next step is to type 'Raw' and then enter 'system_factory_reset'
  • Now, restart the application, and it will be reset.
  • To restore default settings through Sophos UTM, sign in to your UTM WebAdmin, and go to Management.
  • Click System Settings, then click Reset Configurations or Passwords.
  • Now, click the 'Run factory reset now' button.

How to Renew Sophos License?

To renew the Sophos antivirus license, follow the how to install Sophos Antivirus guidelines mentioned below.

  • Go to the Sophos Central official website on your computer.
  • Enter your Sophos account details and press the Sign In button.
  • When the Sophos dashboard opens, navigate to the top right side of the screen beside Help.
  • Click your account name and choose Licensing from the drop-down list.
  • Now, key in your license code on the License Info page.
  • Finally, click Apply to renew your Sophos license.

How to Uninstall Sophos Completely?

Follow these uninstall guidelines to completely remove Sophos antivirus from your Windows 7 PC.

  • Go to your Windows PC and click the Start button.
  • Click the Control Panel button and choose Programs and Features.
  • Look below the Programs section, locate the Uninstall a program button, and click it.
  • Double-click the Sophos Anti-virus and click Uninstall.
  • If your Windows 7 PC prompts you to restart, restart the PC and the Sophos antivirus will be removed from your PC.
  • or Windows 10 PCs, go to the Apps button in Settings.
  • Click the Sophos Anti-virus, and then click on the Uninstall button.
  • Now, the Sophos Antivirus will be removed from your Windows computer.
  • or Mac OS, go to the Applications folder on your computer by typing the word Applications in the Spotlight field on your desktop screen.
  • un this Sophos Antivirus Removal tool and follow the on-screen prompts to remove it from your Mac.

How to Fix Sophos Installation Issues?

To Fix Sophos installation issues, you can follow the guidelines mentioned below. To find the root cause of the installation, it is helpful to read the log created by the Antivirus application. It is located in CDocuments & SettingsAll usersApplication DataSophosSophos antivirusLogs.

  • If the Sophos Antivirus fails to install due to a Windows registry key error, try creating the keys given below.
  • Type regedit search bar, right-click the option, and select Run as administrator.
  • On a 64 bit Windows computer, go to Hkey_local_machinesoftwarewow6432nodeSophosSAVServiceSetupuptions and make this modification, 'DetourDLLSTATE' =’excluded'
  • For 32 bit computers, Hkey_local_machinesoftwaresophossavservicesetupoptions, and make this modification, 'DetoulDLLState' =’excluded'
  • On Mac, if it is due to a 'path not secure' error, make changes as mentioned on the Sophos official site to install the Sophos antivirus on your Mac without errors.

Sophos fails to Update

The reason could be incorrect configuration of Sophos AutoUpdate feature. Poor network connectivity can also cause updating error. Use how to install Sophos Antivirus instructions for resolving this issue are given below.

  • Launch the AutoUpdate log window on the Sophos software.
  • Give a right-click on the Sophos shield and then select the Open Sophos Endpoint Security and Control option.
  • On the next screen, go to the Updating section and then select the View updating log option.
  • hen the alc.log file opens, first, maximize the window and increase the width of it to read the entire error string.
  • Look for the text: Sophos AutoUpdate started. Read all the texts carefully above the specified text to check for any errors.
  • There might be several error messages displayed on the alc.log file. Carry out the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
  • For instance, if you see the error “Download of component failed from server”, then the possible reason could be incorrect updating address or incorrect password for updating policy. In such cases, you need to change either the settings for the local Autoupdate or central updating policy.
  • If you see the address to be correct, then re-enter the updating policy password in the Configure Updating option or the Central policy.
  • Likewise, defined solutions for each error are provided on the official site of Sophos.

How to fix Sophos Not Visible/Shown as Disconnected?

  • Check if all the endpoints are showing as disconnected. If so, the issue is with the SEC. If you see the endpoints on a specific MR (Message Relay) displayed as disconnected, then you need to fix the network issue between the MR and SEC.
  • Follow the steps below if you see random endpoints as disconnected.
  • Ping the IP address of the endpoint remotely in order to verify whether the endpoint is on the network.
  • Check if the server to endpoint DNS is accurate.
  • Make sure that the Sophos agent, Sophos Message Router, and Sophos AutoUpdate services are started.
  • Launch a local or network firewall to enable communication from the endpoints.
  • Check if the endpoints and Sophos Management server have been configured correctly and are able to communicate.

How to fix Website not loading?

  • Check if the website loads in other web browsers. Some browser extensions might block the access to specific websites.
  • Check your Windows host file to make sure there are no websites blocked.
  • From the how to install Sophos Antivirus Settings panel of your browser, completely delete the browsing history and cache. Check if you are able to open your website.
  • Check if you have blocked the access to specific websites on your Windows. If so, try turning off the firewall service.
  • If Live URL filtering is enabled on Sophos, then the websites hosting malware will be blocked.
  • View the scan log on Sophos to know if the particular Sophos install website that you are trying to open is blocked by Sophos.
  • If the issue remains unresolved, try clearing the DNS cache on your computer.
  • Restart your router/modem and computer.
  • If the websites fail to load, contact your Internet service provider.

Sophos stops scanning

This error could occur if there was an issue with the previous scan operation.

  • If you are a Windows user, open the Task manager.
  • For Mac users, you need to open the Activity manager.
  • Look for unwanted tasks running on the computer.
  • Now, check whether the scanning process has resumed.
  • If not, restart the process.
  • Also, verify whether any missing file prompt displays.
  • If so, you need to download that particular file online and place it in the respective folder.

Unable to connect to Public WiFi networks

  • Search for alternative third-party DNS servers and turn them off.
  • Look for the domain name servers and try using them.
  • On Mac computers, open DNS Settings, select Network Advanced DNS tab.
  • For Windows computers, select the Network icon on the system tray and choose Open Network and Sharing Center.
  • Now, change the configuration and test the connection.
  • Another way to resolve this issue is by accessing the router manufacturer’s page.
  • Now, proceed with the how to install Sophos Antivirus instructions given on the router setup page.

Troubleshooting

How to troubleshoot Exploit Prevention performance issues?

  • Open the Run Window on your computer and key in services.msc in the search bar.
  • Select OK, choose HitmanPro.Alert, and disable the service.
  • You need to disable every Exploit Prevention Setting under Policies.
  • Disable one setting at a time and select OK once you uncheck the setting.
  • Open the Enterprise Console and select Policies Exploit prevention.
  • Now, disable one setting at a time and then select OK once you deselect each setting.
  • Make sure not to uncheck Enable exploit prevention as it will deactivate the feature.
Sohos troubleshooting

FAQ's

Sophos Antivirus Service fails to start with the error of -2147467259

Here are the guidelines to fix the error code 214746259 fails to start.

  • Go to your local system drive, i.e., C drive and open the Windows folder.
  • From there, open System 32 and check whether msxml6.dll exists.
  • If this dll file exists, open regedit on your computer.
  • Go to HKCR--CLSID--{88d96a06-f192-11d4-a65f-0040963251e5}---InProcServer32
  • Now, change its Default value to C:\windows\system32\msxml.dll.
  • If you don't find msxml6.dll in the system 32 folder of Windows in the C drive, follow the guidelines given below.
  • Download the msxml6 from Microsoft's official site and install it. Now, check whether msxml6.dll is added to the system32 folder.
  • If your Sophos error persists, take fresh logs from Sophos Diagnostic Utility and contact Sophos support for guidance.

Uninstall of Sophos fails with ERROR: Loading resource dll failed

The Uninstall error-loading resource dll failed occurs because the uninstaller can't decode what language resource to use or choose a language resource that doesn't exist. To resolve this uninstall issue, follow the how to install Sophos Antivirus guidelines mentioned below.

  • Go to the C drive, navigate to the Program Files, and locate Sophos Endpoint Agent inside the Sophos folder.
  • Copy the ResEng.dll file, paste it there and rename it as ResZZZ.dll.
  • Now, try uninstalling Sophos Antivirus again.

Windows 10 - Inaccessible device error triggered on boot

To fix the Windows 10 inaccessible device error triggered on boot, follow the Sophos install guidelines mentioned below.

During the configuration of the Sophos application, do not choose the Good only(Mode8) option under the classification menu.

You can choose any of these other classification types

  • All(7)
  • Good, unknown and bad but critical(3)
  • Good and unknown(1)

FAQ's

Sophos Autoupdate Service Is Missing

  • Make use of the below-given how to install Sophos Antivirus steps to run the AutoUpdate service.
  • Visit c:\ProgramData\Sophos\AutoUpdate\cache\decoded\sau\.
  • Look for the Sophos AutoUpdate.msi file and choose the Install option.
  • A Sophos Notification will display if the AutoUpdate is successful.
  • Open the Sophos Antivirus interface on your computer and tap the About option.
  • Select the Update Now option to start updating your Antivirus program.

Unable To Protect The Endpoint Through The Enterprise Console

  • Open the Enterprise Console and search for the computer that is affected.
  • Reprotect the computer to solve this error.
  • If it does not help, then press the Windows and the R keys to launch the Registry Editor on your system.
  • Key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sophos\AutoUpdate\Products.
  • Search for the following key:
  • D918120F-5C45-4e77-BEBF-7D921273B2E0}. Delete the key.
  • Reprotect the Endpoint using the Enterprise Console.

Unable To Start Console Due To Wrong Proxy Setting

  • Follow the how to install Sophos Antivirus solution stated here to resolve this issue.
  • Navigate to the Proxy Settings tab of the Internet Explorer to Proxy.
  • Restart the following services on the SEC machine:
    • Sophos Certification Manager
    • Sophos Message Router
    • Sophos Patch Server Communicator
    • Sophos Patch Endpoint Communicator
    • Sophos Management Host
    • Sophos Management Service
    • Sophos Update Manager
    • Sophos Encryption Business Logic Service
    • Sophos Patch Endpoint Orchestrator
  • Next, launch the Enterprise console to check if the error has been resolved.