U-M Preconfigured VirusScan 8.7 Installation— Summary

VirusScan 8.7 is for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, and Windows 7. For Windows NT4, please use VirusScan 8.0

The current build (04 August 2009) of the U-M Preconfigured VirusScan 8.7 Installer contains the 5697 DATs from 03 August, 2009, the 5.3.00 engine from 11 July 2008, VirusScan 8.7's "Patch 1" from April 24 2009, and the "McAfee Anti-Spyware Enterprise" (MASE) 8.7 module.

The current DATs available at U-M are 5810, dated 22 November, 2009. If VirusScan is behaving properly, these should be on your machine automatically within an hour of our posting them.

Contents of this Page

• Before Installing VirusScan 8.7 (summary)
• Installing VirusScan 8.7 (summary)
• After Installing VirusScan (summary)

Before Installing VirusScan 8.7—Summary

NOTE: If you are installing VirusScan on a departmental computer, please check first with your departmental IT support person.

1. Check for incompatible software on your computer and uninstall it if necessary. Check, in particular, for these things:
   • IBM ThinkPad or HP computer users: drivers may be incompatible.
   • SoundBlaster Audigy II card owners: some software may be incompatible.
   • Adware and spyware: can interfere with installation.
   • Viruses: can interfere with installation.
2. If you'd like to speed the installation process, clear your web browser's cache (this is optional).
3. Download the VirusScan 8.7 installer. (Download it now) to make sure you are using the current U-M build of the installer.
4. Disconnect your computer from the Internet. Do this so you are not vulnerable to infection while doing the installation.
5. Uninstall any anti-virus software that is currently on your computer. Existing anti-virus software could interfere with installation.

Note: If any version of VirusScan is already installed, you'll need to remove that; if the McAfee Anti-Spyware Enterprise (MASE) module is installed, we recommend that you uninstall MASE before you uninstall VirusScan itself. Also, with VirusScan 8.7 and above, you should uninstall the "McAfee Agent" after uninstalling MASE and VirusScan.

Note: According to McAfee, VirusScan is not supported by them if Windows Defender is installed. Indeed, the VirusScan installer will offer to remove Windows Defender under Vista, Server 2008, and Windows 7. In our tests, we haven't seen any problems between the two, but you may opt to uninstall Windows Defender when VirusScan is being installed. If you do not and you have a problem, we may have to ask you to reinstall VirusScan and uninstall Windows Defender at that time.

Installing VirusScan 8.7—Summary

1. Ideally, log on to your computer as a regular user (non-admin).
2. Right-click the installer file, and select RunAs. Then authenticate as a user with admin rights (or, under Vista, just use Run As Administrator).
3. Follow the instructions displayed by the installer. Installation includes these steps:
   • Installation of VirusScan software.
   • VirusScan updates itself with the latest virus definitions (after you reconnect to the Internet).
   • VirusScan scans your computer for viruses (takes 10 minutes to an hour or more, depending on how many files you have). If an infection is found, you will be given instructions for disinfecting your computer.

A NOTE ABOUT TIME: The installation itself takes just a few minutes. As part of the installation process, however, VirusScan will scan your computer for viruses; this may take 10 minutes to an hour, or even longer if you have a lot of files. Allow yourself plenty of time to read the instructions and information displayed during installation. Also, expect the installation to take a bit longer if you use a dial-up modem; at one point in the installation you need to reconnect to the Internet so VirusScan can update itself. If VirusScan detects an infection on your computer, you will need additional time to deal with the infection.

After Installing VirusScan 8.7—Summary

• Check to be sure that VirusScan is updating its virus definitions regularly (right-click the VirusScan Shield icon in the System Tray (by the clock), and choose <About>. If you're current, it'll say "VirusScan 8.7.0." Then it lists the definitions version (5810.0000), engine (5301), and "Patch Versions" (1).
• Make sure that you have all critical Windows Updates installed.
• Unfortunately, there are threats out there that are not handled by antivirus software alone. We suggest that you implement as many things as you can from our Security Recommendations page

Getting Help

by Bruce P. Burrell (bpb@umich.edu)
for the U-M Virus Busters (virus.busters@umich.edu)

Last Modified: 22 November, 2009

This information can be freely reproduced in any medium, as long as the information is unmodified.

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This page last updated 22 November, 2009