Back to RacerNet

Virus Software Info & Resources

Viruses affect online users everyday. We have compiled some information to answer your frequently asked questions, provide tips on avoiding viruses and assist in upgrading and updating anti-virus software.

This page contains step-by-step information needed for maintaining appropriate anti-virus protection. See the links below for specific topics.

Installing Anti-Virus Software On-Campus
Checking Your Anti-Virus Software Version
Upgrading Your Anti-Virus Software
Updating the Virus Definition (DAT) Files
Scanning My Computer for Viruses
Scanning a disk for Viruses

Helpful Web Resources:

Murray State University Help Desk
McAfee

Installing Anti-Virus Software On-Campus

Murray State University has a campus-wide agreement with McAfee for the use of its anti-virus software on-campus. Individual departments wishing to install McAfee software can do so at little or no charge to them for the software. While many computers come to campus with other anti-virus software programs, McAfee is the supported software on campus.

On-campus users needing McAfee installed on their university computers should contact their Technical Support Coordinators or the Help Desk at 809-2346.Top

Checking Your Anti-Virus Software Version

If you are not sure that you have McAfee installed on your computer, or you want to make sure you are running the latest version of the software, the following instructions will assist you.

    1. Click on the "Start" button at the bottom left of the computer screen.
    2. Follow the menu upwards and click on "Programs". This will create a listing of software programs.
    3. Search through the list until you find & click on "Network Associates". This will create another pop-out menu.
    4. Click on "Virus Scan". A dialogue box will appear.
    5. Click on the "Help" tab, then on "About"
    6. This box will list the version of McAfee software you are running. Next to "McAfee VirusScan" you will see the version listing. Contact the Help Desk at 809-2346 for the latest recommended version.Top

Upgrading Your Anti-Virus Software

On-campus users have several options for updating their software version. See the instructions below for each option.

Upgrade Using MSU FTP

  1. Connect to the MSU FTP (public) site at http://www.murraystate.edu/ftp/public/
  2. Click on the link to "Anti-Virus Data Files".
  3. Locate the latest "sdat4nnn.exe" file displayed. Click on the link.
    Note: nnn is a numeric number indicating the version of the update. The higher this number, the later the release.
  4. Users will now be prompted for action depending on the browser.
    Internet Explorer - Choose "Open" when prompted. This should execute the file and start the download. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
    Netscape - Users will be prompted to enter a file name & location for the file to be downloaded. Once entered, click "Save". Once the file is saved the user must locate that file (using My Computer or Windows Explorer) and double-click on it. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.

Upgrade Using the VirusScan Scheduler

  1. Click on the "Start" button at the bottom left of the computer screen.
  2. Follow the menu upwards and click on "Programs". This will create a listing of software programs.
  3. Search through the list until you find & click on "Network Associates". This will create another pop-out menu.
  4. Click on "VirusScan Console ". A dialogue box will appear.
  5. Click on "Auto Upgrade" to highlight it.
  6. Click on the "Properties" icon in the toolbar.
  7. To perform a one-time update, click on the "Run Now" button at the bottom of the Program tab.
    To schedule the Upgrade regularly, click on the "Schedule" tab. Select the "Enable" checkbox & select a time for the Auto Upgrade. Monthly upgrades should be sufficient for proper Anti-Virus protection. (Machine must be running at scheduled time)
  8. Click "OK" to finalize changes.

Upgrade Automatically through the Network

Updates can be made to users through the Murray State network. Contact your Technical Support Coordinator or the Help Desk for more information at 809-2346.

Upgrade from the McAfee VirusScan Web Site

Follow the online instructions at http://download.mcafee.com/upgrades/upgrades.asp Users must already have a version of McAfee installed. Top

Updating the Virus Definition (DAT) Files

New viruses develop daily. In the same way, new anti-virus files called DAT files are created to combat these viruses. McAfee usually makes an updated DAT file available on Wednesday of each week. Below are some options for updating these files.

Update Using MSU FTP

  1. Connect to the MSU FTP (public) site at http://www.murraystate.edu/ftp/public/.
  2. Click on the link to "Anti-Virus Data Files".
  3. Locate the the latest "sdat4nnn.exe" file displayed. Click on the link.
    Note: nnn is a numeric number indicating the version of the update. The higher this number, the later the release.
  4. Users will now be prompted for action depending on the browser.
    Internet Explorer - Choose "Open" when prompted. This should execute the file and start the download. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
    Netscape - Users will be prompted to enter a file name & location for the file to be downloaded. Once entered, click "Save". Once the file is saved the user must locate that file (using My Computer or Windows Explorer) and double-click on it. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.

Update Using the VirusScan Scheduler

  1. Click on the "Start" button at the bottom left of the computer screen.
  2. Follow the menu upwards and click on "Programs". This will create a listing of software programs.
  3. Search through the list until you find & click on "Network Associates". This will create another pop-out menu.
  4. Click on "VirusScan Console ". A dialogue box will appear.
  5. Click on "Auto Update" to highlight it.
  6. Click on the "Properties" icon in the toolbar.
  7. To perform a one-time update, click on the "Run Now" button at the bottom of the Program tab.
    To schedule the Upgrade regularly, click on the "Schedule" tab. Select the "Enable" checkbox & select a time for the Auto Upgrade. Weekly upgrades are recommended for proper Anti-Virus protection. (Machine must be running at scheduled time)
  8. Click "OK" to finalize changes.

Update Automatically through the Network

Updates can be made to on-campus users through the Murray State network. Contact your Technical Support Coordinator or the Help Desk for more information at 809-2346.

Update from the McAfee VirusScan Web Site

Follow the online instructions at http://download.mcafee.com/upgrades/upgrades.asp Users must already have a version of McAfee installed. Top

Scanning My Computer for Viruses

Scanning for viruses can be done when needed, but is recommended on a regular basis. Scheduling a weekly scan of the entire hard drive is recommended for most computers. Suspicious files should be scanned immediately.

Using the VirusScan Scheduler

  1. Click on the "Start" button at the bottom left of the computer screen.
  2. Follow the menu upwards and click on "Programs". This will create listing of software programs.
  3. Search through the list until you find & click on "Network Associates". This will create another pop-out menu.
  4. Click on "VirusScan Console ". A dialogue box will appear.
  5. Click on "Scan My Computer" to highlight it.
  6. Click on the "Properties" icon in the toolbar.
  7. To perform a one-time scan, click on the "Run Now" button at the bottom of the Program tab.
    To schedule the scan regularly, click on the "Schedule" tab. Select the "Enable" checkbox & select a time for the Auto Upgrade. Weekly scanning is recommended for proper Anti-Virus protection. (Machine must be running at scheduled time)
  8. Click "OK" to finalize changes. Top

Scanning a Disk for Viruses

Anytime a file is suspicious or questionable, it is a good idea to quickly scan it for viruses. This is especially important when you share files with other users.

To scan a floppy disk or cd

  1. Insert the disk into the appropriate drive.
  2. Open "My Computer" by double-clicking on the icon or open "Windows Explorer"
  3. Click on the drive name (i.e. A:\ or D:\) to highlight it.
  4. Right-click on the highlighted drive and select "Scan for Viruses".
  5. When the McAfee dialogue box appears click on "Scan Now".

The software will prompt you for action if a virus is discovered, or display a message saying "No viruses were found." Top