How Viruscan Works on Windows




After installing Mcafee Viruscan software a vshield   will be located on your system tray by the clock in the lower right-hand corner of your Windows screen.

The   is automatically configured to go out to the Internet daily and update your Viruscan software to the latest available Virus Definition File (DAT file)

The DAT file is an updated file released by Mcafee, which contains the information on newly created viruses (such as NIMDA) and gives your computer the ability to fight these viruses.

Therefore, the DAT file is the most important part of the process.  If the DAT file is not being updated regularly, your computer will not be able to fight newly discovered viruses!

New DAT files are released everyday.

It is important to randomly check your pc's every now and then to make sure they are automatically updating.

To check the automatic update, do the following:
Right Click on the 
Choose About
The following Screen will appear:
The Created on: date should never be more than a day old, if it is there is a problem! 



NOTE:  If you have your computers locked-down so nothing can be downloaded to them in the classrooms, this update will NOT work.  You will need to manually update them, or setup delivery of the SUPERDAT through Zenworks to automatically update them.  If your Tech consultant has setup your network to be locked-down, have them setup Zenworks to automatically update them.

The most current version of the Mcafee software program is v8.5.0i.  Version 4.5.1 is the latest version for Windows 9x.

Any Scan Engine lower than 4400 needs to be updated with the latest SUPERDAT file, which can be found at http://support under Virus Information.  The SUPERDAT updates both the Scan Engine and the DAT files.

If you have questions or need the Mcafee software program for your Academic workstations, please do not hesitate to contact ITS.  Hope this helps!