VirusScan for Mac Version 8.5 Macintosh OS X 10.4 Intel and PowerPC Macs

What is VirusScan 8.5 for Mac?

Do I have VirusScan 8.5 on my Mac?

How do I install VirusScan 8.5?

Manually updating VirusScan 8 Virus Definitions

Manually scanning for viruses with VirusScan 8.5

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 VirusScan 8.5?

What is VirusScan 8.5 for Mac?

VirusScan 8.5 for Mac is Wellesley College's anti-virus package for computers running Mac OS X 10.4 on Intel and PowerPC based Macintosh computers. Wellesley College has a site license allowing students, faculty and staff associated with the College to install VirusScan on College-owned computers as well as their personally-owned computers.

Do I have VirusScan 8.5 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 VirusScan folder or application in the Applications window.    
   - If you do not see a VirusScan folder or application, VirusScan is not installed on your computer.  
   - If you see a VirusScan folder or application, continue to determine the version of VirusScan.
5. If the file listed is VirusScan with no number in the file name, double-click on the application file.
6. From the Apple Menu, go to VirusScan > About VirusScan.
   - If the version listed says McAfee VirusScan for Mac version 8.5 , then you have the current version of VirusScan installed and do NOT need to install the attached VirusScan installer. Please proceed to the documentation.
   - If you have a different version of VirusScan, please refer to the FirstClass conference Computing Questions > AntiVirus Updates. Open the email with the subject Installing Virex 8.5 on MacOS X 10.4 in order to install VirusScan.

How do I install VirusScan 8.5?

Login to FirstClass and go to the Computing Questions > Anti Virus Updates conference. Open the posting with the subject Installing Virex 8.5 on Mac OS X 10.4 and follow the directions.

VirusScan 8.5 should be set to automatically check for updates using eUpdate.

Please check VirusScan at least twice a month to make sure you have the latest virus definitions by comparing the date of the definition on your computer with the current Virex 7 Virus Definitions Update posting in the Computing Questions > Anti Virus Updates conference in FirstClass.

To check what definitions you have, launch VirusScan and go to VirusScan > About VirusScan. The Created On date is the date that should match or be newer than the date of the posting in Anti Virus Updates.

To do a manual update, launch VirusScan, click the eUpdate tab, then click Start. Once finished the DAT Version date should be equal or newer than the date of the Virex 7 Definitions.

At this time McAfee is not providing standalone definition updates for VirusScan 8.5 for Macs so Information Services will not be posting definition updates for VirusScan 8.5 IS will continue to post the Virex 7 Definitions until further notice.

Manually scanning for viruses with VirusScan 8.5  

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

1. If a VirusScan icon is in the Dock, click on it to launch VirusScan.   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 VirusScan file or application.  
2. In the VirusScan for Mac window, click the Scan & Clean tab.
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 VirusScan for Mac 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 VirusScan 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 VirusScan by going to the Apple Menu Bar, selecting VirusScan > Quit VirusScan.  
8. Remember to update your virus definitions by downloading the Virex 7 & 8 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 at least once a month.

Automatically updating anti-virus definitions and scanning for viruses

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

Scheduling a weekly check for new anti-virus Definitions:

1. If a VirusScan icon is in the Dock, click on it to launch VirusScan. 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 VirusScan file.
2. In the VirusScan application go to VirusScan > 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.
   • Make sure Customize eUpdate server settings is unchecked.
4. Open View > Scheduled Tasks in the menu bar. This will open a second application, the VirusScan 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 VirusScan icon is in the Dock, click on it to launch VirusScan. 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 VirusScan application.  
2. Open View > Scheduled Tasks in the menu bar. This will open a second application, the VirusScan 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 VirusScan Schedule Editor and VirusScan 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 VirusScan 8.5 for Mac?

• 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
• Last Modified: December 4, 2006