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IT Services > Staff > More things we do > Security > Anti Virus > Virus Scanner FAQ

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Security

Anti Virus Software Frequently Asked Questions

General Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I check which version of McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise I am running and what patch it is running?

2. Will my PC run slower after installing Anti Virus software?

3. If it is running all the time, do I need to do complete scans of my disk(s)?

4. New viruses are detected regularly, will the checker be able to detect these?

5. I would like my virus checker to upgrade itself at another time. Can I get it to do this?

6. How can I find out more information about a virus (or, possibly, a virus hoax)?

7. How can I install Virus Protection software on Windows 2000, Windows 2003 or Windows 2008?

8. I would like to install Anti Virus software at home, but I am not on broadband and therefore the download is slow. Have you got a copy on CDROM?

9. I am off campus, can I still update my Virus DAT files?

10. I have heard there is an Anti Adware / Spyware module, but I cannot see it when I install the Anti Virus software. Why is this?

11. McAfee reports that a file cannot be cleaned or quarantined, what do I do?

12. I am a Macintosh user and I cannot download the Virex software. What should I do?

13. I have Microsoft Windows Vista installed on my computer, which version of Anti Virus software do I need?

14. I have Microsoft Windows 7 installed on my computer, which version of Anti Virus software do I need?

15. I have a Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 or ME computer and I want to install Anti Virus software. What should I do?

16. I need McAfee for Netware. What's available?

17. How do I patch McAfee?

General

1. How can I check which version of McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise I am running and what patch it is running?

   Right click on the virus shield icon in the system tray and select About Viruscan, and the window below will be displayed. The title of the window will indicate which version of McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise you have installed on the machine. Scroll to the bottom of the window which says Installed Patches which tells you which patch you currently have installed.

   

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2. Will my PC run slower after installing Anti Virus software?

   Anti Virus will not noticeably impact on the performance of your machine. If you notice any performance degradation please check you do not have another virus checker running at the same time. Do not alter the settings of Anti Virus software, this could cause performance issues.

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3. If it is running all the time, do I need to do complete scans of my disk(s)?

   In theory, No, but it is recommended you scan you entire hard disks for viruses once a week using McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise as a precaution.

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4. New viruses are detected regularly, will the checker be able to detect these?

   Users of the Staff Desktop system:

   McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise will attempt to upgrade itself daily with new virus signature files. These files are produced by McAfee and downloaded for internal distribution. The upgrade automatically occurs in the early hours of each morning. It is updated automatically by so that we can all be protected from the latest viruses that appear every day. It may change more often depending on the viruses that become prominent at the time, and emergencies.

   Nevertheless, every time a new virus is written and released it may not be detectable until McAfee have investigated it and updated their virus signature files.

   Portable Computers and Laptops must be regularly connected to the Internet to ensure that the system is kept up to date. If for any reason you are unable to connect to the network for longer than four weeks, please contact your local IT support person or IT Services on your return so the Anti Virus updates can be manually installed before you connect to the network.

   You are able to manually upgrade your software at any time see Staff Desktop Anti-Virus information www.lboro.ac.uk/it/desktop/anti-virus.html.

   Other users:

   You must regularly (at least once per week) upgrade the virus scan engine and dat files:

   1. If you are off campus, connect to the Internet via broadband or a dial-up modem.

   2. Right-click on the VirusScan Console Icon in the system tray (bottom right-hand corner).

      

   3. Select Update Now. This will start the McAfee Update.

      

   4. The latest McAfee engine and dat files will then be fetched and installed. You should upgrade these files immediately after installing the software and frequently thereafter. The files on the virus-upgrade server are updated daily.

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5. I would like my virus checker to upgrade itself at another time. Can I get it to do this?

   Users of the Staff Desktop XP service cannot change their schedule. The system is configured so that if you miss a scheduled update, the next time you start up the computer connected to the network, the update will take place whatever the time.

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6. How can I find out more information about a virus (or, possibly, a virus hoax)?

   A virus hoax can be an e-mail which claims that you have been infected by an earlier e-mail. The hoax may even ask you to delete a file; the file may not be infected and may be an important part of your system, so that your deleting the file is what causes the problem. See also E-mail and Internet Scams and Viruses www.lboro.ac.uk/it/e-mail/scam.html.

   To find out more about both viruses and hoaxes, visit the McAfee Virus Information Library, http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.aspx, and use their alphabetical list or search facilities. The McAfee Virus Hoax Page, http://vil.nai.com/vil/hoaxes.aspx, lists all known virus hoaxes.

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7. How can I install Virus Protection software on Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003?

   You can use the same installer that is available from the main Anti Virus web pages as this installer will work on: Windows 2003 Server, Windows 2008 Server, Windows Vista or Windows7.

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8. I would like to install Anti Virus software at home, but I am not on broadband and therefore the download is slow. Have you got a copy on CDROM?

   You can obtain a Anti Virus CDROM from our Service Desk free of charge with the latest software ready to install.

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9. I am off campus, can I still update my Virus DAT files?

   The Anti Virus software is configured to fetch its DAT file updates directly from McAfee.

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10. I have heard there is an Anti Adware / Spyware module, but I cannot see it when I install the Anti Virus software. Why is this?

    Computing Service have licensed the McAfee Antispyware program to be used by members of Staff and Students at work or at home. There is no longer an additional charge. Downloading the latest version of the McAfee Installer will provide the new module, it is not available as a separate package. We have also produced a Best Practice Guide www.lboro.ac.uk/it/security/ad-spyware.html.

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11. McAfee reports that a file cannot be cleaned or quarantined, what do I do?

    The file will probably have to be removed whilst Windows is in Safe Mode. If you are unsure how to proceed, contact your local IT Support Staff www.lboro.ac.uk/faculty/fitcs/support.html or for further advice.

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12. I am a Macintosh user and I cannot download the Virex software.

    now provides Sophos for Macintosh machines, this is under a similar agreement to the McAfee VirusScan product and therefore allows use by Staff and Students at both work and home. This can be downloaded from the main Anti Virus web pages at www.lboro.ac.uk/it/security/antivirus.html.

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13. I have Microsoft Windows Vista installed on my computer, which version of Anti Virus software do I need?

    The installer of McAfee is version 8.7i which is compatible with Windows 7. Download McAfee Anti Virus 8.7i at https://internal.lboro.ac.uk/restricted/cc/AntiVirus/McAfee/McAfeeVSE.exe.

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14. I have Microsoft Windows Vista installed on my computer, which version of Anti Virus software do I need?

    The installer of McAfee is version 8.7i which is compatible with Windows 7. Download McAfee Anti Virus 8.7i at https://internal.lboro.ac.uk/restricted/cc/AntiVirus/McAfee/McAfeeVSE.exe.

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15. I have a Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 or ME computer and I want to install Anti Virus software.

    McAfee no longer publishes virus definition updates for VirusScan version 4.51, which is the last version that supports Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 and ME. More recent versions, Version 7.1 and 8.0i, do not work for Windows 98 / ME and earlier operating systems. The University cannot provide Anti Virus Software for Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 or ME, therefore the computer should not be connected to the campus network and we recommend that the computer is replaced as soon as possible.

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16. I need McAfee for Netware. What's available?

    McAfee Multiplatform 4.5.1 is no longer supported by McAfee. McAfee still support NetShield for Netware which is at version 4.6.3 (as of 31 May 2007). We can provide copies of that, however can offer no support for that product directly or indirectly via McAfee.

    We are currently revising our Anti Virus strategy for Unix / Linux and will shortly be announcing our recommendations and configuration notes.

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17. How do I patch McAfee?

    1. Download Patch (currently no patch available) .

    2. Save the Installer program file to your PC.

    3. Locate the ZIP file and execute it.

    4. Locate the setup.exe file and double click.

       This will launch a wizard to patch the Virus Scan Enterprise.

       

    5. Click Next to continue

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