Queensland schools to get anti-virus overhaul

The upgrade is aimed at preventing students who email their homework to and from school from infecting the statewide computer network.

Australian IT services provider, Data#3, won the competitive tender to supply anti-virus solutions to 1305 Queensland schools, stretching from the Torres Strait Islands to Mt. Isa and Warwick, as well as state education department offices and central administration.

“Virus definitions and product updates will be deployed automatically where possible across the Education Queensland Wide Area Network (WAN), which connects all schools and administration offices. This will ensure that all state schools in Queensland will have protection from viruses, worms and Trojans,” the companies said in a statement.

Queensland Education Minister, Anna Bligh, says the contract will help reduce virus infections.

"Increasingly, students and teachers are using the internet for communication, training and sending homework from home or as part of distance education.

"To make sure that happens efficiently, we need to make sure that the system is safe, secure and virus free.

"Protecting our extensive computer network from the debilitating effects of a virus is a smart decision," she said.