Division of Information Technology

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VirusScan 8.8i

Contents

About VirusScan / Installation Notes

  • McAfee's VirusScan Enterprise 8.8i is a commercial anti-virus software product that has been site licensed for distribution to the SF State campus community. The installation and use of this software is restricted to current SF State faculty, staff and students.
  • Starting with version 8.8i, the university license for McAfee VirusScan also includes an anti-malware detection tool.
  • VirusScan Enterprise 8.8i has been configured for home use. This configuration may not be appropriate for LAN servers or managed LAN workstations. System administrators should download and read the VirusScan 8.8i Product Guide.
  • For security reasons you should have the most recent Windows Service Pack installed even though VirusScan Enterprise 8.8i can run under an earlier service pack.
  • McAfee's retail VirusScan package uses different, usually higher, version numbering than the enterprise package. Only the interface is different, not the ability to protect your computer.

Requirements

DoIT Recomended Minimum Requirements

  • Windows XP with SP3 or later and 1GB RAM, OR
  • Windows Vista/Windows 7 with the latest service pack and 2GB RAM.
  • 20% free hard disk space

 

McAfee Minimum Requirements

NOTE: A computer that just meets McAfee's requirements will run with VirusScan installed, but very slowly.

Hardware

  • Intel Pentium or Celeron processor running at a minimum of 733MHz (Windows XP) or a prossessor running at a minimum of 1Ghz (Windows Vista or Windows 7)
  • 256 MB of RAM (minimum) for a Pentium or Celeron processor running at 733 MHz with Windows XP or 1GB RAM (minimum) for systems running Windows Vista or Windows 7.
  • Minimum 500 MB free disk space for a complete installation of all VirusScan Enterprise features and components

Software

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home and Professional SP1, SP2 or SP3 OR
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4 OR
  • Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit) Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate
  • Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 5.5 or higher

Obtaining VirusScan

VirusScan can be obtained via download. You will be required to enter your SF State ID number and e-mail password as proof that you are currently a student, faculty, or staff member at SF State.

 

Download

  1. Log into an administrative account.
  2. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
  3. Launch your web browser and visit the SFSU Anti Virus page.
  4. Click on the Download VirusScan 8.8i button.
  5. Enter your ID number in the SF State ID: field of the Download Software page that opens.
  6. Enter your e-mail password in the SF State Password field.
  7. Select Yes or No from the "Will this software be installed on a state-owned computer" dropdown.
  8. Click on the Login button.
  9. Follow your browser prompts to save the program, vscan88.exe, to your computer in a location you will be able to remember.
  10. Exit your web browser when the download has finished.

Installing VirusScan

  1. Log into an administrative account. If you downloaded VirusScan, log into the same administrative account used during the download. Verify you have a working Internet connection.
  2. If you are running any applications save your data and close them.
  3. Uninstall any other anti-virus and anti-malware programs that provide real-time protection you may have installed, including earlier versions of VirusScan. Most programs can be removed via Add/Remove Programs/Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
  4. Start the VirusScan installer by double clicking the downloaded vscan88.exe file.
  5. A VirusScan 8.8i Enterprise Edition window will open specifying the restrictions of the SFSU site license agreement with McAfee. Click OK if you are a current student, faculty, or staff member. Otherwise click Cancel.
  6. If you clicked on OK the installation will start automatically. Be patient as you may not see anything for a minute or more, especially on slower computers.
  7. If any conflicting product installations (e.g., Windows Defender) are found, you will be prompted to remove them. Follow the prompts to remove these applications.
  8. On the McAfee VirusScan Enterprise Setup window click Next to continue to the McAfee Licensing dialog window.
  9. Licensing:
    • If you are installing VirusScan onto your personally owned computer, set the License expiry type to 2 Year Subscription.
    • If you are installing VirusScan onto a computer owned by San Francisco State University change the License expiry type to Perpetual. Licensing Window
  10. Read the License Agreement, select I accept the terms in the license agreement, then click OK.
  11. When prompted to Select Setup Type select Typical. Click Next. Setup Type Selection Window
  12. When prompted to Select Access Protection Level select Standard Protection. Click Next. Protection Level Selection Window
  13. In the Ready to install window, click Install. Installation may take several minutes.
  14. When installation completes, click Finish.
  15. The McAfee Agent Updater will open and install all available updates. When you see Update Finished click Close.
  16. Restart your computer.
  17. NOTE: We highly recommend running an On-Demand Scan in Safe Mode (see Additional Actions) in case your computer is currently infected with a virus.

Manually Updating VirusScan 8.8i

VirusScan is set to automatically update at the following times:

  • When you log in to your account. (If you are not prompted to log in when your computer starts then you are automatically being logged into your account.)
  • At approximately 12:30 PM.
  • At approximately 12:30 AM.

Computers not connected to the Internet at startup will not be able to complete an automatic update and must be updated manually. These include:

  • Home computers with a DSL Modem where you run an application to make a PPPOE connection. The application is usually supplied by the company you make the DSL connection through (e.g., WinPOET).
  • Laptops making an on-campus wireless connection using a Web browser.

 

Internet Update

Your computer must be connected to the Internet prior to starting a manual update.

  1. Log into an administrative account.
  2. Save your data and then close any open applications.
  3. If you are not already connected to the Internet, connect to the Internet now.
  4. Right-click on the VirusScan icon located on the Windows system tray and select Update Now...

    5. Update Now Selection
  5. VirusScan will check for new virus definitions and a new scan engine. Wait until the status shows Update Finished then click Close. This can take hours if you use a dial-up modem to connect to the Internet. Be patient.
  6. You may be asked to reboot your computer. If so, click Yes to reboot your system.

Flash Drive/Other Media Update

  1. Insert your Flash drive or other media into a computer with an Internet connection.
  2. Open a Web browser and navigate to the McAfee SDAT site.
  3. Click I Agree when presented with the contract agreement.
  4. Select the SuperDATs tab.
  5. Click the most recent SDAT name (will end in .exe) to begin the download.
  6. Follow the browser's instructions to save the file to the Flash drive/media.
  7. Eject the Flash drive/media and insert it in the computer where it will be installed.
  8. Open the Flash drive/media and double click on the saved file.
  9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Known Issues for Outlook Users

Outlook users changing VirusScan versions may encounter the following error:

The Add-in "Outlook Scan" (C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\Scanotlk.dll) cannot be loaded and has been disabled by Outlook. Please contact the Add-in manufacturer for an update. If no update is available, please uninstall the Add-in.

To resolve this issue do the following:

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Explore.
  3. Copy and paste the following into the address bar at the top of the Explorer window:
    %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\
  4. Press Enter to open the folder.
  5. Delete the file extend.dat from the folder (this file will recreate itself, you will not lose any data).
  6. Close the Explorer window.
  7. Re-open Outlook.

Documentation and Manuals (McAfee)

VirusScan Enterprise 8.8i Product Guide

VirusScan Enterprise 8.8i Installation Guide

We recommend downloading at least the Product Guide as a reference.  Learning how VirusScan works and what its settings mean will make it a more useful tool to fight viruses.  You need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to read these guides.

Additional Actions

We recommend you run a complete scan of your hard drive at least once a month.

To be most effective against active viruses you should boot your computer into Safe Mode prior to running the complete scan of your hard drive.

To boot into Safe Mode and Perform a Complete Scan:

  1. Restart your computer and hold down the F8 key until the Start Up Options screen appears.
  2. Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode when prompted at the bootup menu.
  3. Click on Start on the Windows taskbar then select All Programs > McAfee > VirusScan On-Demand Scan
  4. In the On-Demand Scan Properties window click on the Start button.
  5. If the scan detects a virus you should follow the Virus Removal Instructions.
  6. When your hard disk has been scanned the window will close and you should reboot your system.

Troubleshooting

VirusScan has three features that can potentially conflict with other applications.

  • Access Protection:  There are several types of programs used by viruses that can be restricted by VirusScan.  The default settings only allows specific mail clients to send mail.  This helps stop viruses with built-in mail capabilities from spreading.  If you use a very unusual mail client it may be blocked from sending mail.  Read the section on Access Protection in the VirusScan Product Guide for instructions on adding your mail client to the list of allowed mail clients.
  • Buffer Overflow Protection:  Buffer overflow attacks use a particular type of programming error in Windows or specific applications (e.g., Internet Explorer).  Some software firewalls also provide buffer overflow protection.  If both the firewall software and VirusScan are protecting against buffer overflow attacks at the same time they will conflict with each other.  If you have a firewall or other application that provides buffer overflow protection then you must disable it in either VirusScan or the other application. The firewall built into Windows XP, Vista, and 7 does not provide buffer overflow protection and will not cause a conflict.  If you use any other software firewall you should read its manual carefully to determine if it provides buffer overflow protection or not.  Read the Buffer Overflow section in the VirusScan Product Guide for instructions on disabling buffer overflow protection.
  • Multiple Real-time Scanners: McAfee VirusScan 8.8i is a real-time protection program. Running more than one real-time protection program silmultaniously can cause many problems. However, it is a good idea to install secondary, scan only, malware removal tools. For university owned computers, DoIT recommends Spybot Search and Destroy. For personal computers, DoIT recommends Malwarebytes. It is illegal to install Malwarebytes on university owned computers without purchasing it. 

If you encounter errors installing VirusScan 8.8i, first remove it by using the Add/Remove programs icon in the Control Panel and then reinstall VirusScan 8.8i. If this does not work do the following:

  1. Remove VirusScan using the Add/Remove programs/Programs and Features icon in the Control Panel.
  2. Use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the C:\Program Files\Network Associates folder and the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Network Associates folder.
  3. Reinstall VirusScan 8.8i using the instructions provided in this document.

If you still cannot install VirusScan, contact DoIT's Help Desk at 415-338-1420 or go to ADM 110 for help.

 

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