McAfee AntiSpyware Module 8.5i Windows Vista, XP, and 2000

About the AntiSpyware Module

What is the AntiSpyware Module?

The McAfee AntiSpyware Module for VirusScan 8.5 is Wellesley College's replacement for Lavasoft's Ad-Aware anti-spyware protection for Windows XP and Vista computers already running McAfee VirusScan 8.5i.

The AntiSpyware Module integrates with VirusScan's OnAccess and OnDemand scanners to both continually monitor your computer for spyware and scan for spyware at scheduled times or whenever you wish. Please see the documentation below for directions on using and configuring both the OnAccess and OnDemand scans.

What is Spyware?

While browsing the Internet, there is a high probability that you will run across sneaky software (commonly called spyware, adware, or malware) that can track your surfing habits, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and install invasive software with or without your knowledge or permission. Spyware is also bundled with many free media players and peer-to-peer file-sharing applications, which allow third parties to monitor your Internet usage and send advertisements to your computer.

Spyware poses a threat to your privacy, security of your computer, and can cause unnecessary network traffic. Legitimate software from major manufacturers, such as Microsoft Office, does not usually contain spyware. To combat spyware, Wellesley College provides a licensed version of McAfee's AntiSpyware Module for VirusScan to all students, faculty, and staff members for detection and removal of spyware from Windows XP and Vista computers. The McAfee AntiSpyware software is for use only on College-owned computers and on computers owned by Wellesley College faculty, staff, and students. The following usage instructions are for computers with a working internet connection. For computers without an internet connect, please borrow the McAfee VirusScan & AntiSpyware CD from the circulation desk at the Knapp Center or Science Library. A booklet is included with the CD with instructions on installing, configuring and running McAfee VirusScan and the AntiSpyware Module.

NOTE: Due to the release of this new AntiSpyware Module, this software is not yet available on the CDs. If you need to install VirusScan or the AntiSpyware Module on a computer without an internet connection, please follow the directions below to download VirusScan and the AntiSpyware Module to a computer with an internet connection, then save the files to a disk and transfer them to the computer. The updated VirusScan and AntiSpyware CDs should be available by the start of the fall 2007 semester.

What computers have the AntiSpyware Module installed at Wellesley College?

The AntiSpyware Module is installed on all Computing Lab and ResHall Computer Room computers, as well as all new faculty and staff computers beginning in August 2007. Existing computers can be upgraded by following the instructions below.

How do I tell which version of the AntiSpyware Module is installed on my computer?

The AntiSpyware Module is a plugin to VirusScan, and currently only works with VirusScan 8.5i. It will not work with previous versions of VirusScan (7.0 or 8.0). Older versions of VirusScan will need to be upgraded to VirusScan 8.5i before the AntiSpyware Module can be installed. The AntiSpyware Module definitions and scanning engine are an existing part of the VirusScan 8.5i definitions, so there are no additional updates to check.

To determine which version of McAfee VirusScan you are running, and which virus definitions and scan engine are installed:

• Right-click on the VShield icon in the system tray at the lower right corner of your screen, near the clock. From the menu which appears, choose About VirusScan Enterprise.
• The About McAfee VirusScan window will appear. The following should be shown:
  • VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i or VirusScan Enterprise + AntiSpyware Enterprise 8.5.0i
  • Scan engine 5100.0094
  • DAT Created On field whose date falls within the last week.

Is the AntiSpyware Module required for Clean Access?

At this time the AntiSpyware Module is not required to pass Clean Access.

What if I have Windows 98, ME, or 2000?

Because VirusScan 8.5i does not work on older versions of Windows, the AntiSpyware Module cannot be used. A good alternative for older computers is SpyBot Search & Destroy. SpyBot is freeware, but it is not supported by Wellesley College.

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Installing the McAfee AntiSpyware Module

What are the system requirements for the AntiSpyware Module?

• Operating system: Windows Vista or Windows XP with Service Pack 2.
• Processor:at least 800Mhz, Intel or AMD CPU.
• Hard drive space: At least 100MB free space on hard drive for installation
• RAM: At least 64MB available RAM, 256 MB recommended
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
• McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5i

Do I already have the AntiSpyware Module installed?

To see if your computer already has the AntiSpyware Module installed, right-click on the VirusScan icon in the system tray and select About VirusScan Enterprise. If the window that appears mentions the AntiSpyware Enterprise Module as in the picture below, your computer has the module installed. If the window only says McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i, then you will need to install the AntiSpyware Module.

How do I install the AntiSpyware Module?

To install the AntiSpyware Module, please login to FirstClass and go to the Computing Questions > Anti Virus Updates conference and follow the directions in the Installing the McAfee AntiSpyware Module for Windows Vista or XP message.

The AntiSpyware Module installer should also be available on the VirusScan CDs at the start of the fall 2007 semester. VirusScan CDs can be checked out at either the Knapp Media & Techology Center in the Clapp Library or the Science Library.

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Update AntiSpyware Module

How do I update my anti-spyware definitions and scan engine?

The AntiSpyware Module uses the same definitions and scan engine as McAfee VirusScan. McAfee releases updated definitions daily, each business day of the week. To make sure your computer always has the latest definitions you need to configure and schedule VirusScan's AutoUpgrade task. Directions on how to do this can be found in the installation documentation on FirstClass in the Computing Questions > Anti Virus Updates conference. Look for the post Configuring VirusScan to automatically update its definitions.

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Scanning for spyware

How do I scan for spyware?

The standard OnAccess settings for VirusScan will automatically scan:

• Removable disks as they are accessed
• The boot sector and startup files at startup
• Program files and documents as they are accessed

You may change these settings at any time by double-clicking on the VShield icon in the lower right corner of your screen (near the clock), and then clicking OnAccess Scan Properties.

To scan your entire hard drive for viruses and spyware:

1. From the Start menu, choose My Computer or Computer. In the My Computer window, right-click on the icon for your hard drive (usually C: or Local Disk). From the menu which appears, choose Scan for threats .
2. A VirusScan window will appear and the scan will automatically start.
   

   The VirusScan window will expand to include information about any viruses which are detected.

To scan your entire hard drive for spyware only:

1. Right-click on the VirusScan icon in your system tray and select VirusScan Console.
2. Double-click the Targeted Scan task in the list of items.
3. In the On-Demand Scan Properties - Targeted Scan window, click the Start button on the right.
4. A VirusScan window will appear and the scan will automatically start.
   

   The VirusScan window will expand to include information about any viruses which are detected.

For more information about scanning, see VirusScan's Help menu.

How do I automate scanning for spyware?

Once installed, the McAfee AntiSpyware Module becomes part of VirusScan Enterprise, so if you already have VirusScan Enterprise set to automatically scan your computer for viruses, it should also scan your computer for spyware at the same time. To verify these settings, follow the directions below.

NOTE: When VirusScan automatically scans your computer, the scanning window does not appear. To check if VirusScan is scanning, right-click on the VirusScan icon, select VirusScan Console, and next to the Full Scan task it should say Running.

1. Right-click on the VirusScan iconin the lower right corner of your screen (near the clock) to and select VirusScan Console.
2. In the Console, double-click on Full Scan .
3. In the On-Demand Scan Properties - Full Scan window, click on the Advanced tab.
4. For System utilization, move the slider all the way to the left side to the 10% end of the slider bar.



5. Click the Schedule button.
6. In the Task tab, check the box for Enable (schedule task runs at specified time).
7. Next click on the Schedule tab.



8. In the Schedule Task drop-down menu, select Weekly.
9. In the Start Time field, type the time when you want the scan to take place. In the Schedule Task Weekly section, check the box for the day you want the scan to take place. Make sure to choose a day and time when your computer will be left on but will not be heavily used (e.g., lunch time or a regularly scheduled meeting time). If you use AutoUpgrade, it is best to schedule the scan to take place one and one-half hours after you have scheduled AutoUpgrade to run.
10. Check Run missed task.
11. In the Delay missed task by section, choose a time between 5-30 minutes.
12. Click Apply and then OK.
13. In the VirusScan On-Demand Scan window, click Save as Default. In the Scan Configuration Confirmation window, click Yes
14. Click Apply and then OK.
15. Close the VirusScan Console window.

Be sure to leave your computer on at the scheduled scan time each week.

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Uninstalling the AntiSpyware Module

Windows Vista:

1. Go to Start > Control Panel.
2. In the Programs section, click Uninstall a Program.
3. Select McAfee AntiSpyware Enterprise Module and click Uninstall/Change at the top of the list of programs.
4. When you are asked if you are sure you want to uninstall the AntiSpyware Module, choose Yes.
5. Close all open windows and restart your computer to complete the uninstall.

Windows XP:

1. Go to Start > Control Panel.
2. Click (or double-click, if in Classic View) Add or Remove Programs.
3. Select McAfee AntiSpyware Enterprise Module and click Remove.
4. When you are asked if you are sure you want to uninstall the AntiSpyware Module, choose Yes.
5. Close all open windows and restart your computer to complete the uninstall.

Doug Chudzik
ResNet Manager
Information Services
Last modified: September 4, 2007