1. Introduction
2. Installing McAfee from the UF Software CD
3. Setting up McAfee Auto-Update
4. Scanning for Viruses
5. Enabling Email Virus Scans
6. Virus Protection Tips

Introduction

Mcafee is a program designed to identify and clean your system of potentially harmful computer viruses. A virus is a program that is loaded into your computer and runs without your knowledge. A worm is a special type of virus. Viruses can replicate, use up memory, modify or damage your computer software and transmit to others across the network.

Many viruses are disguised as email attachments, so it is important to beware of any email with an attachment. You should not open an email attachment unless you are expecting the file and know it is from a reliable source. The newer versions of Outlook have an option to scan emails as you download them or to run a scan from within the Outlook program. This handout will help you install and configure Mcafee to work with your email client to keep your computer clean from infection.

The University of Florida has a site license for McAfee Anti-Virus software. Faculty, staff and students may obtain the software from the UF Software CD or from http://www.software.ufl.edu/mcafee/.  If you need help using McAfee or identifying and removing a computer virus, please call the UF Computing Help Desk at 392-HELP.

Mcafee can be installed from the UF Software CD. Be sure that you have the most recent version of the software engine on the latest version of the CD. The UF Software CD can be purchased from the UF Bookstore Technology Hub for a minimal charge.

The instructions below describe how to install the software with the email scan option. On Windows computers you should also make a bootable disk that contains the antivirus software.

From the UF software CD press the “software” button. Then press “programs and utilities” and finally click on the Mcafee tab at the top of the screen.

Press the “multiplatform” button to begin installation. If you have windows ME then click the ME installation option.

When the wizard comes up select “custom installation” and then click next (You may have to click next a few times to get to this option.)

In custom installation make sure that “email scan” is selected for installation. You can get to it by clicking the “+” next to “download scan and internet filter.” Basically, make your window look like the one below. Then click “next”

Click “install”

When virus scan configuration comes up, put a check in the box next to "scan boot disk on startup". Click next.

On the next window select “wait and run auto-update later.” Click next.

You can set up auto-update so that, at regular scheduled times, when your computer is connected to the Internet, the McAfee software virus definitions can be updated automatically.

• Click start, programs, network associates, then click on “VirusScan Console”
• Double-click auto-update and then click on the scheduling tab.
• Put a check next to “enable” and then specify when you want Mcafee to auto-update itself. You should specify a time when you usually aren’t using the computer and make sure the computer is on and connected to the Internet when the time nears. Auto-update your software at least once a week. Manually update your software whenever you know that a new virus is circulating. Note: put time in military time.

At any time you can scan your system for viruses:

Click start, programs, network associates, then click on “virus scan”

Click “scan now”

If the email scan option was installed with McAfee, you can turn it on as follows:

• Double click on the small V-shield icon from the systems tray (usually the bottom right of screen)
• Click on the “email scan” tap at the top of the window.

The following are measures you can take to protect yourself from viruses:

Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.

Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it.

Do not open any files attached to an email unless you confirm the source.

Do not download any files from strangers. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.

Update your anti-virus software regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be at the least the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well.

Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.

Make a rescue disk. If you own an IBM-type system, create a bootable floppy disk, put the antivirus software on it, and set the write-lock tab. This can be used to start your system if it is infected.

Stay informed. McAfee (www.mcafee.com/anti-virus) as well as other vendors have advisories and information about viruses.

Get help. If you think your system is infected, take action to resolve the problem. You can contact the UF Computing Help Desk for advice and assistance.

When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the more important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors for updates, which include those for your operating system web browser, and email. One example is the security site section of Microsoft located at http://www.microsoft.com/security.