Help Center Services

OLD Anti-virus FAQs

General FAQ

Can I install anti-virus software on my computer without uninstalling my current version?

Yes. If you have Symantec AntiVirus installed on your computer, McAfee will remove that program before installing the McAfee software. Additionally, McAfee can remove most commercial anti-virus products before installing its own software. A list of products that McAfee can uninstall is included in an appendix to installation documents.

Please check the list to ensure McAfee can remove the software. If the software is not listed, please uninstall your old program prior to installing McAfee.

Can I install McAfee VirusScan on a MAC or Linux computer?

Not at this time. The Mac version will be available in the near future, and the Linux version should be available next year. IS&T will make an announcement through an e-mail broadcast when these versions are available. Mac and Linux users will still be protected with their current Symantec Anti-Virus software. However, if you do use virtual PC software such as VMware Fusion, please install McAfee anti-virus software in your Windows environment. 

 

How long does a scan take?

A scan can take up to an hour or more, depending on the setup of your individual computer. You may continue working on your computer while the scan takes place.

How to initiate a scan of my computer?

Yes, IS&T recommends that you run a complete scan of your computer at least once a week to ensure that McAfee can catch any malware or spyware that may reside on your system.  You may refer to the proper documentation listed below to setup a scheduled weekly scan.  To initiate a scan immediately, follow the appropriate instructions under Steps to Perform a System Scan. 

Steps to Perform a System Scan

Personal Computers for Students, Faculty, and Staff
The following instructions are for students, faculty, and staff owned computers.

  1.  Right-Click on the McAfee system tray icon in the lower right corner of your screen.
  2. Select “On-Demand Scan...”
  3. In the On-Demand Scan Properties dialog box that opens, click “Start.”

NOTE: A scan can take up to an hour or more, depending on the setup of your individual computer.  You may continue working on your computer while the scan takes place.

Georgia State Owned Computers
The following instructions are for Georgia State owned computers.

  1.  Right-Click the McAfee system tray icon.
  2. Select “Scan Computer for” and click on “Threats.”
  3. In the On-Demand Scan Properties dialog box that opens, click “Start.”

NOTE: A scan can take up to an hour or more, depending on the setup of your individual computer.  You may continue working on your computer while the scan takes place.

How do I know if my anti-virus protection is up to date?

Personal Computers for Students, Faculty, and Staff

The following instructions are for students, faculty, and staff owned computers An auto-update is scheduled daily at 5 p.m. To check that it occurred, you can:

  1. Right-click the McAfee system tray icon at the bottom right of your desktop.
  2. Select “VirusScan Console”
  3. Scroll to the bottom to view the last date your computer was updated.

In the event you want to run an update yourself, select “Update Security” from the menu and McAfee will update your software.

Georgia State Owned Computers

The following instructions are for Georgia State owned computers An auto-update is scheduled daily at 5 p.m. To check that it occurred, you can:

  1. Right-click the McAfee system tray icon at the bottom right of your taskbar.
  2. Select "Managed Features."
  3. Click "VirusScan Enterprise."
  4. In the VirusScan Console, you will see the status and results of various task, such as the auto-update.

In the event you want to run an update yourself, select “Update Security” from the menu and McAfee will update your software.

Additional Resources

Will I notice when an automatic update or a scan takes place?

No, automatic updates are not visible to the individual user. It is, however, important to know when your machine is scheduled to scan or update in order to confirm that your computer is turned on during the process. Scans and updates only occur when the machine is on.

 

Why did the university switch from Symantec Corporate Edition Anti-Virus software to McAfee?

While Symantec Antivirus was a capable product, McAfee's VirusScan, anti-virus software offers superior capabilities to detect and remove malware such as worms and viruses.  In the next year, IS&T will be making available additional products, such as antispyware and intrusion prevention.  This software will greatly assist you in protecting your computer from being compromised.

As an enrolled student at Georgia State University, the cost of these security products is included within your student fees, so we provide them to you at no additional charge.  You will receive additional notices from us when new products become available for download.

 

Faculty & Staff

Is the privacy of my workstation compromised when I install the on-campus McAfee VirusScan software?
Not at all. The automatic software updates are made by machines - university servers - not individuals.

 

Help

For Personal Computers:  If you have questions or need assistance, the McAfee Service Portal provides a comprehensive, searchable collection of support tools with centralized access to McAfee’s library of technical information and product documentation.

For Georgia State Owned Computers:  You may contact the Help Center at 404-413-HELP (4357) or e-mail the Help Center at help@gsu.edu.