Virex Version 7.7 Mac OS X 10.2.6 and later PowerPC Macs

Virex 7.7 for OS X 10.2 - 10.3

What is Virex 7.7?

Do I have Virex 7.7 on my Mac?

How do I install Virex 7.7?

Manually updating Virex 7 Virus Definitions

Manually scanning for viruses with Virex 7.7

Automatically updating virus definitions and scanning for viruses

Other steps to securing your computer

What if my Mac gets infected with a virus?

Problems or questions concerning Virex 7.7?

What is Virex 7.7?

Virex 7.7 is Wellesley College's anti-virus package for computers running Mac OS X 10.2 or 10.3. Wellesley College has a site license allowing students, faculty, and staff associated with the College to install Virex on College-owned computers as well as their personally-owned computers.

Do I have Virex 7.7 on my Mac?

1. Click on the Finder icon in the Dock to activate the Finder.
2. In the Apple Menu Bar select Go > Applications to open the Applications folder.
3. In the Apple Menu Bar select View > as List to view the Applications folder as a list.
4. Look for the Virex folder in the Applications window.    
   - If you do not see a Virex folder or application, Virex is not installed on your computer.  
   - If you see a Virex folder, continue to determine the version of Virex.
5. If the file listed is Virex with no number in the file name, double-click on the Virex application file.
6. From the Apple Menu, go to Virex > About Virex.
   - If the version listed says McAfee Virex version 7.7, then you have the current version of Virex installed and do NOT need to install the attached Virex installer. Please proceed to the documentation.
   - If you have a different version of Virex, please refer to the FirstClass conference Computing Questions > AntiVirus Updates. Open the email with the subject Installing Virex 7.7 on MacOSX 10.2.6 and later in order to install Virex.

How do I install Virex 7.7?

Login to FirstClass and go to the Computing Questions > Anti Virus Updates conference. Open the posting with the subject Installing Virex 7.7 on Mac OSX 10.2 or 10.3 and follow the directions.

Remember to update your virus definitions by downloading the Virex 7 Virus Definitions Update as they are posted to the Computing Questions > Anti Virus Updates conference in FirstClass. The definitions are released on a regular basis at least once per month. Another way to update definitions is by clicking the eUpdate tab on the bottom of the window. Click the green Start button. This will update your virus definitions.

You can also set Virex to automatically download updates. If you wish to do so, please follow the instructions as shown in automatically updating virus definitions and scanning for viruses.

Manually scanning for viruses with Virex 7.7  

Information Services recommends scanning your Macintosh for viruses after each definition update, or at least once a month.

1. If a Virex icon is in the Dock, click on it to launch Virex.   If not, click on the Finder icon in the Dock
       - In the Apple Menu Bar, click on Go > Applications.  
       - In the Applications window, double-click on the Virex file.  
2. In the Virex window, click Scan & Clean.
3. Drag the Macintosh HD icon from your desktop (or any item you wish to scan) into the Drop items or click here. part of the Virex window.   If you dragged Macintosh HD to this area, it should have changed to a hard drive icon and have a forward slash next to it.   If you dragged anything else there it should be listed   instead of a forward slash.
4. Click Start to scan the select items for viruses.
5. If Virex finds any viruses during this initial scan, follow the prompt to repair the file.  
6. The scan may take from 3 to 4 hours, and you may run other programs while it is scanning.  
7. When scanning has finished you may quit Virex by going to the Apple Menu Bar, selecting Virex > Quit Virex.  
8. Remember to update your virus definitions by downloading the Virex 7 Virus Definitions Update as they are posted to the Computing Questions > Anti Virus Updates conference on your FirstClass desktop. It is usually released to the Wellesley College Community on the 2nd and 4th weeks of each month.

Automatically updating virus definitions and scanning for viruses

You can ensure your computer is scanned for viruses by scheduling tasks for Virex. These are directions to schedule periodic virus definition updates and to scan your computer for viruses.

Scheduling a weekly check for new Virus Definitions:

1. If a Virex icon is in the Dock, click on it to launch Virex. If not:
   • Click on the Finder icon in the Dock
   • In the Apple Menu Bar, click on Go > Applications  
   • In the Applications window, double-click on the Virex file.
2. In the Virex application go to Virex 7.7 > Preferences.
3. In the Preferences window, click on More Options.
   • If the lock in the bottom left corner is closed, click on it, and enter an Administrator password to edit the preferences.
   • Click the More Options button in order to show all options.
   • Leave Customize eUpdate server settings unchecked.
4. Open View > Scheduled Tasks in the menu bar. This will open a second application, the Virex Schedule Editor.
5. Click New eUpdate Task. Choose a descriptive task name, such as AutoUpdate Virus Definitions.
6. Click the Set... button next to the Date and Time field.
7. Choose a day and a time to update your virus definitions. This should be a time when your computer is normally on and connected to the internet.
8. Choose Weekly under the Recurrance menu.
9. Click OK.

Scheduling a monthly virus scan:

1. If a Virex icon is in the Dock, click on it to launch Virex.   If not:
       - Click on the Finder icon in the Dock
       - In the Apple Menu Bar, click on Go > Applications.  
       - In the Applications window, double-click on the Virex application.  
2. Open View > Scheduled Tasks in the menu bar. This will open a second application, the Virex Schedule Editor.
3. Click New Scan Task. Choose a descriptive task name, such as Monthly Virus Scan.
4. Click the Set... button next to the Date and Time field.
5. Choose a day and a time to update your virus definitions. This should be a time that your computer is normally on.
6. Click inside the Scan Items field; this will open a menu to choose areas of your computer to scan. To scan the entire comptuer, choose Macintosh HD. To scan only your account on the computer, click Macintosh HD on the left side of the window and then choose Users and select your username.  
7. In the Recurrance dropdown menu, choose Monthly and select a day of the month to scan on. Make sure only one day is darker than the rest.
8. Click OK to create the task, then quit the Virex Schedule Editor and Virex application.

Other steps to securing your computer

Having anti-virus software installed on your computer and updating it regularly is only one step in keeping your computer secure. To reduce your computer's chances of being infected by a computer virus or other malicious programs, read the documentation for Securing your Computer.

Problems or questions concerning Virex 7.7?

• You may post questions in the Computing Questions conference on FirstClass at any time.
• Students should fill out a ResNet Student Computing Help form
• Faculty and staff should call the Help Desk at x3333.

• Doug Chudzik dchudzik@wellesley.edu
• Information Services
• Date Created: January 4, 2006
• Last Modified: January 4, 2006