Lab 12 Computer Security Basics

Part E: Updating McAfee VirusScan

McAfee VirusScan is the virus protection software used at the University. You can acquire the UWICK CD for $1 at the University Bookstore or download it as part of UWICK.

Anti-virus software performs two primary functions:

It scans the hard drive and external devices such as USB flash drives, CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks when they are connected to the computer for known viruses
Anti-virus software can quarantine and sometimes disinfect individual files that have viral code in them. Sometimes you cannot separate a virus from a file once it has been inserted and the quarantined file has to be deleted. Either way, the virus is neutralized so you can repair any damage and get on with your digital life.

Every week new viruses, worms, and other nasty software appear on the Internet. Because of this, simply installing anti-virus software is not enough. You need to update your VirusScan definitions - the files that tell anti-virus software how to detect a specific virus - daily or weekly. McAfee VirusScan definitions can be updated automatically or manually. We will show you how to do both because sometimes a nasty virus spreads so fast that you should not wait for the auto-update feature to update your definitions.

To manually update your virus definitions in McAfee VirusScan:

Right click the VirusScan icon in the Windows system tray (it looks like a shield). Choose VirusScan Console from the popup menu.
Just to be safe, we'll update the virus definitions on this computer. Right-click the AutoUpdate item in the console and choose Start from the popup menu.
The update will now run. When it's finished, click the Close button.

To verify your Windows McAfee VirusScan software is automatically being updated with the latest virus definitions, or to enable automatic updates to your anti-virus software:

Open the VirusScan Console (it should still be open).
Find AutoUpdate in the list of tasks.
Right-click on AutoUpdate, and click on Properties.
Click on the Schedule tab.
Verify that the Enable box is checked: if the Enable box is not checked, click on the box to turn it on.
Verify the software is set up to run daily: if the Daily button is not on, click on the button to turn it on.
Verify the updates are running: click on Enable Randomization to allow updates at random times.
If you have updated your VirusScan configuration, click on OK to save your changes.

Answer question 9 in the Lab 12 Catalyst quiz online.