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CSD Helpdesk FAQ

Updating McAfee Virus Definitions

(Updated 03/29/2005)

 

 

 

Regular definition updates are needed to keep your anti-virus protection up-to-date and able to protect you from the latest viruses. Without updated definitions your system is vulnerable to virus attack and you stand a high risk of infection and data loss as a result. Use of popular file sharing programs greatly increases this risk. Regularly updating your virus software should be a part of daily computer usage.

 

USCA’s USCA Network uses the Cisco Clean Access Agent which requires your system have all of the latest anti-virus updates installed before allowing it access to the network. If you haven’t already done so, you should run a virus definition update now following the instructions below.

 

 

Checking Update Status in McAfee Anti-Virus

 

If you’re attempting to install the Clean Access Agent, or connect to Clean Access, and you see this screen, then you must update your virus definitions to continue.

 

Do Not Click Update …doing so will likely not update your virus definitions and may cause further problems requiring additional troubleshooting. Instead you should perform a manual update on your virus definitions.

 

If you’re using McAfee Anti-Virus, see the Manual Update section below for instructions.

 

If you are using another anti-virus package you will need to follow the instructions for your particular software. We’ve linked to the update instructions for most of the popular anti-virus packages under the Viruses and Spyware menu at the CSD Helpdesk site.

 

If you’d like to see how up-to-date your definitions are at any time, or would just like to double check to see whether they are really out of date, right click on the red and blue virus shield icon shown here.

When you right click the icon you’ll see a menu pop-up similar to this one.

 

Click About VirusScan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’ll then have a screen appear similar to the one on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find the date of your virus definitions were created on. If this date is more than a day old it is likely there is a more current update available. If so, you’ll need to download it.

 

See the Manual Update section below for instructions.

 

 

 

 

Manually Updating McAfee Virus-Definitions

 

To update your virus definitions, right click on the red and blue virus shield icon shown here.

 

When you right click the icon you’ll see a pop-up menu like the one shown here.

 

Click Update Now to begin the update process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the update a screen with a progress bar will appear. The actual time required to download and install all updates will vary depending on how out-of-date your current definitions are. The process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. In most cases however, this should take no more than a minute or two.

 

Do not close the McAfee AutoUpdate Window, or turn off your computer during this process. Doing so may corrupt your virus software and require extensive troubleshooting to correct. It is also suggested that you not perform any other tasks on your computer while the download completes.

 

Once the update has completed, you’ll see this screen. You may now click the Close button and continue using your computer normally. If you were installing or Connecting to Clean Access, you should be able to click the Next button on the Clean Access Agent screen to continue.

 

If you have any problems with this process or require further assistance, please call the CSD Helpdesk at 4357 (on-campus) or 641-3502 for assistance.