UH-Victoria

Technology Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Question

How can I protect myself against computer viruses?

Answer

To protect your computer and prevent future infections of worms or viruses, your operating system (OS) and anti-virus software needs to be kept up-to-date.


If you are on campus, McAfee VirusScan software is automatically installed and updated on your computer.


Windows OS updates are also automatically downloaded to your computer. However, you will need to install the update. If an update is ready to be installed, you will see this icon faq_world.jpgin your system tray

 

faq_tray.jpg

 

in the lower right corner of the screen. Click on the icon, then follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

If your computer is not on-campus, you will need to do one of the following:

Set Up Your Computer to Auto Update Your MS Windows OS


Follow these steps to auto update Windows XP:

  • Click on Start

  • Click on Control Panel and open the System icon

  • Click on the Automatic Updates tab

  • Select a Settings option

  • Select Apply and OK

Note: If you choose the "automatically download the updates" option, be sure to choose a time of day when your computer is most likely to be turned on and connected to the network.


Follow these steps to auto update Windows 2000:

  • Click on Start

  • Click on Settings

  • Click on Control Panel

  • Click on the Automatic Updates icon

  • Select a Settings option

  • Select Apply and OK

Note: If you choose the "automatically download the updates" option, be sure to choose a time of day when your computer is most likely to be turned on and connected to the network.


Manually Updating your Windows OS


If your computer has been turned off for some time, e.g. vacation, spring break, extended illness, there is a chance your auto update did not perform, since this function only works on computers that are running.
 
Turning your computer back on after it has been off for a while may put it at risk for a virus if your auto update did not apply.


To reduce this risk, you can manually install the latest Windows update by following these steps:


Windows XP:

  • Click on Start

  • Click on Control Panel

  • Click on Windows Update

  • Click on Scan for Updates

  • Click on Review and Install updates

  • Critical updates and service packs are automatically selected

  • Click Install Now to download and install the updates

  • Click OK to restart your computer, or Cancel to close other programs first and restart your computer manually

Windows 2000:

  • Click on Start, Windows Update

  • Click on Scan for Updates

  • Click on Review and Install updates

  • Critical updates and service packs are automatically selected

  • Click Install Now to download and install the updates

  • Click OK to restart your computer, or Cancel to close other programs first and restart your computer manually

Installing or Upgrading McAfee VirusScan


To download a free copy of the Windows version of UH's anti-virus software or to upgrade an existing copy, click on McAfee VirusScan.


Verifying You Are Running the Latest Version of McAfee VirusScan Software and Virus Definitions


If you already have McAfee VirusScan software installed, you need to verify it is the version currently recommended for your operating system. Click on McAfee VirusScan to review the table that documents the version of McAfee VirusScan recommended for each operating system.


Virus definitions are the anti-virus component of McAfee VirusScan that must be updated each time a new virus threat has been identified so VirusScan can protect you. McAfee also refers to them as the DAT file. Each version is identified by a number, such as 4319. Your software can be configured to update them automatically, but occasionally you may learn of a new virus threat hours earlier than your autoupdate feature will run, in which case you should update them manually. Both procedures are documented in subsequent sections below.
 
To identify the version of McAfee VirusScan software and virus definitions running on your computer:

  • Click on Start, Programs, Network Associates, VirusScan Console.

  • Click on Help, About.

  • The About McAfee VirusScan window appears. The version of the software you have installed is shown in the title of the window, and the version of the virus definitions you have installed is displayed beneath it.

If the version of the software you are running is not the version recommended for your operating system, you need to upgrade to the recommended version. Go to the "Installing or Upgrading McAfee VirusScan" section provided above for instructions.
 
Similarly, if the version of the virus definitions you are running is not the version recommended, given the current virus threat, you need to upgrade to the recommended version. Go to the "Manually Updating McAfee VirusScan Virus Definitions" section provided below for instructions.


Verifying/Enabling Automatic Windows McAfee VirusScan Updates


To verify your Windows McAfee VirusScan software is automatically being updated with the latest virus definitions, or to enable automatic updates to your anti-virus software:

  • Click on Start, Programs, Network Associates, VirusScan Console.

  • Find AutoUpdate in the list of Descriptions.

  • Right-click on AutoUpdate, and click on Properties.

  • Click on the Schedule tab.

  • Verify the Enable box is checked: if the Enable box is not checked, click on the box to turn it on.

  • Verify the software is set up to run daily: if the Daily button is not on, click on the button to turn it on.

  • Verify the updates are running at your preferred time: if they are not, click on your preferred time or click on Enable Randomization to allow updates at random times.

  • If you have updated your VirusScan configuration, click on OK to save your changes.

Manually Updating McAfee VirusScan Virus Definitions


To manually update your virus definitions in McAfee VirusScan:

  • Click on Start, Programs, Network Associates, VirusScan Console.

  • Click on Task, Update Now to initiate the update

  • Click on the Close button after receiving the "Update Finished" message.

Verifying Your Computer Is Free Of Viruses


If the version of McAfee VirusScan that is recommended for your operating system is installed on your Windows computer, you can verify your computer is free of viruses at any time by doing the following:

  • Click on Start, Programs, Network Associates, VirusScan On-Demand Scan. (for version 7)

  • Click on Scan Now to scan your computer for viruses.

We appreciate your assistance as we strive to protect information technology resources at the University of Houston-Victoria. Your participation is vital to this effort. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the IT Help Desk at 361-570-4399, 361-570-4UHV, Ext. 4399, or email: helpdesk@uhv.edu