Installing and Updating Virus Control Software (Mcafee 7.1)
Lately we have been hit with a number of viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. It is the responsibility of the user (you) to make sure your computers at home are not infected or are cleaned on a regular basis. Infected home machines run the risk of introducing the infection onto the Vanderbilt campus through emails and the use of remote desktop products. Protecting yourself against these attacks requires some vigilance, common sense, and a natural suspicion of incoming email.
Installing and updating your virus control program is the
second step of a three step process designed to keep your computer safe. This
website will teach you how to do that. All faculty and staff (and students
too!) are allowed (in fact, ENCOURAGED) to download and install Mcafee virus
control software FREE OF CHARGE. You get Mcafee free as a benefit of being
affiliated with
This website will help you download, install, and update your Mcafee virus control software. We are assuming you are planning on running Mcafee version 7.1
Virus control software is divided into two components. First
there is the Virus control engine. This is the software that is referred to
above as version 7.1. Second are the virus definition patterns that have to be
downloaded and installed weekly. (Download and install more frequently in the
event of an outbreak.) The virus definitions patterns file is nothing more than
a data file that has current information for the engine on the latest viruses.
After you install the updated virus patterns, you should then RUN your virus
control software to look for any viruses that may appear on your machine. Your
virus control engine does not have to be updated regularly, only the virus
definition patterns file must be updated. If your virus definition pattern file
is older than two weeks old, the patterns are practically useless (since
viruses circle the globe in less than 7 days – usually less than 3) and that
means you may easily get infected. So if you fall behind, update the virus
definition pattern file before you scan again. On
DOWNLOADING AND
INSTALLING THE MCAFEE 7.1 ENGINE
NOTE: if you have any other virus control software running,
such as Norton Anti-virus or an earlier version of McAfee such as 4.5.1 you
will have to uninstall those applications BEFORE you begin installing McAfee
7.1. I am not sure the procedure for uninstalling Norton. However, Mcafee 4.5.1
must be uninstalled by going to the Control panel, selecting Add/remove
programs, and scrolling down to find the Network Associates choice. Click
Remove to remove all traces of that program.
Go to the following website
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/its/antivirus/downloads.php
Scroll down and find the 7.1 choice (University Edition).
Click that choice. You will then be asked to input your VUNetID and ePassword. After passing that it will ask you whether you want to open or download the file. I strongly recommend DOWNLOAD the file. Put it someplace where you will remember it because you will have to get there shortly.
After the file is downloaded, close your web browser and any
other programs on the task bar. Then find the file you just downloaded and
click on it and begin selecting defaults. When faced with the following page
select Perpetual, I accept, and then click OK. NOTE: that when you officially
leave Vanderbilt you are required to remove this program from your system.
Also, you are allowed to install thissoftware on any system you own and use at
home including your desktop machine and personal laptop. You may NOT distribute
it to anyone outside of
The installation screen will look like this:
When done it will automatically go to the update page:
When completed, click Close. If you look to the lower left of your taskbar on your desktop you will see a V in a shield. That indicates that Virusscan is working.
Right click on the Vshield and select VirusScan Console. When you do that you will see the following screen. Double click AutoUpdate
To update the virus patterns click Update Now:
You will see this:
If you want to schedule the update click “Schedule”. (NOTE: you can only schedule updates on machines that are always left on and are permanently connected to the Internet through a broadband connection)
Click the Schedule tab, set the task and the start time. Try to select a time when no one will likely be using the machine.
If Mcafee is active it will scan all files transferred to your computer whether that is through email, CD, floppy disk, or thumb drive. However, it is a good idea to periodically (daily or weekly) have Mcafee run through your entire hard drive looking for virus files.
Click on Scan All Fixed Disks
You can scan now:
You will see it begin to scan as follows. It may take about a hour or so depending on how many files you have on your machine.
You can also schedule the scan.
Just make sure the start time is well AFTER the update time to give time for the updater to install the latest virus definition patterns before the scan takes place.
Now you know how to do this. That’s all there is to it.