Virex 6.1 for Macintosh

What is Virex?

Installing Virex 6.1

Using Virex 6.1

Updating Virex Virus Definitions

Configuring Virex to automatically update its Virus Definitions

Information about AutoStart Worm

Could not save report in file "Virex Report" . . . error

What is Virex?

Virex virus-protection software that is available for use on College-owned and personally-owned Macintosh computers of faculty, staff and students. It is standard software on every public and office Macintosh. If Virex is not already on a Mac, you can install the software using the instructions below.

Even if you have Virex installed on your Macintosh, you must still update your Virex virus definition files monthly to keep your virus-protection software up-to-date. Instructions for manually updating the Virex virus definition files on your Macintosh are here.

At Saint Mary's College, Virex is set to automatically:

• scan floppies and zip disks when they are inserted
• scan files downloaded from servers and the Internet
• warn you when it finds a virus

Installing Virex 6.1

This install will take approximately 5-20 minutes, depending on the speed of the computer and the number of files on the computer.

• If you have virus protection software other than Virex installed on your Macintosh, please refer to the documentation that came with that software to uninstall it.

  Having multiple copies of virus-protection software installed on a computer can cause severe performance problems.

  If you do not have the original software manuals for your existing virus-protection software, you may want to refer to the software manufacturer's web site for instructions.

• Obtain Virex 6.1 (These instructions must be completed on the Saint Mary's Campus.)

1. Print a copy of these directions so that you can reference them during the install.
2. Log into Diamond and mount the ResNet Software volume if it isn't already mounted.
1. From the Apple menu, select Chooser.
2. Note that the Chooser window has three boxed areas. Click on the AppleShare icon in the top left box.
3. Click the Sever IP Address... button.
4. When prompted to Enter the Server Address, type diamond and click Connect.
5. Type in your Saint Mary's login and password. (This is the same login and password that you use to check your Saint Mary's e-mail.) Then click OK. When you are successfully logged in, another dialog box will open.
6. Note that you will need to use the scroll bar on the right of the list of names to see all these items. Some of the items will be greyed out; this is normal. One of the options will be ResNet Software - click once of ResNet Software to highlight it and click OK.
7. Close the Chooser window.
3. Insert a Zip disk into your Mac's Zip drive (if your computer off-campus also has a Zip drive) or insert a CD-R or CD-RW into your Mac's CD-R or CD-RW drive. If your Mac on campus does not have a CD-R or CD-RW drive, all of the Macs in Trumper have CD-RW drives, and you can complete this section of the Virex instrucations on one of those Macs.
4. Double-click on the ResNet Software icon on your desktop.
5. Drag the Virex 6.1 folder to the icon of the Zip disk or the CD (CD-R or CD-RW) on your desktop and wait for it to copy over.
6. Eject the Zip disk or CD by dragging the icon of the disk to the Trash. If you are using a CD (CD-R or CD-RW), you will be asked if you would like to burn the data onto the CD. Click OK (or Burn) and wait for the information to be copied onto the CD. When the CD is done burning, you can eject it.

• Install Virex 6.1 (These instructions should be completed on your off-campus Macintosh.)

1. Start the computer with extensions off by going to Special and Restart. Immediately start holding down the Shift key until you see a screen that says "Extensions Off."
2. Insert the Zip disk or CD that you copied the Virex 6.1 folder onto. Double-click on the Zip disk or CD, then double-click on the Virex 6.1 folder.
3. Double-click on the (diamond-shaped) Installer icon.
4. Click on the Install button. When told that you should scan your hard drive first, click Scan.
5. When asked which volumes to scan, the "all local volumes" option will automatically be selected. Click Scan.
1. If Virex finds any viruses during this initial scan, follow the prompt to Repair the file.
2. If Virex finds any Trojan Horses during this initial scan, follow the prompt to Delete the Trojan Horse. (A Trojan Horse is a stand-alone virus that is not attached to any of your files. Deleting the Trojan Horse should not delete any of your personal files.)
6. At the Install Virex window, make sure to uncheck the box at the bottom labeled Save Current Preferences.
   WARNING: If you do not uncheck Save Current Preferences, Virex may not be set up properly to scan your Macintosh for viruses.
7. Click the Install button. Virex will install itself on the top level of your hard drive.
8. After the installation is complete, you will be asked if you want to Continue or Quit. Since you are done with this part of the install, click Quit. Click OK when reminded to restart soon.
9. In the Virex 6.1 folder, double-click the Virus Definitions file. Virex will launch.
10. When asked if you want to update the virus definitions, click Update.
11. Click OK when informed that the definitions have been applied. Go to the File Menu and select Quit.
12. Close any open windows.
13. Go to the Special menu and select Restart.
14. After the computer has restarted, drag the Virex 6.1 folder from your desktop to the trash.
15. Congratulations! You finished the Virex installation.
    Scan your computer now that you have the latest virus protection.

NOTE: You have just installed the latest version of the Virex application. However, virus definitions need to be updated approximately every month to be effective against the latest viruses. Instructions for updating your Virex virus definitions can be found here.

Using Virex

Launching Virex

1. Double-click on the Macintosh HD.
2. Double-click on the Virex folder.
3. Double-click on Virex.

Manually scanning your hard drive and disks

Whenever Virex is newly installed or updated you need to scan your hard drive immediately. Additionally although Virex will do a good job of protecting your hard drive before it becomes infected it's always a good idea to scan your hard drive regularly, perhaps once a week.

• Make sure the hard drive or disk that you want to scan is selected. Click the Diagnose button.
• If Virex finds any viruses during this initial scan, follow the prompt to Repair the file.
• If Virex finds any Trojan Horses during this initial scan, follow the prompt to Delete the Trojan Horse. (A Trojan Horse is a stand-alone virus that is not attached to any file. Deleting the Trojan Horse does not delete any of your files.)
• Be sure you scan any floppy disks, Zip disks, or shared files recently used in infected computers.

Quitting Virex

While in the Virex application, go to the File menu and select Quit.

Note: Even though you may launch and quit Virex in order to scan manually, unless you change its settings it will continue to run in the background and automatically scan disks and downloaded files.

Scanning with Virex DropScan

Virex DropScan is a shortcut for scanning, and it can be found on your desktop. The benefit of using DropScan as opposed to launching and running Virex is ease of use. To use DropScan to scan for viruses on files or disks, drag the file or disk over the DropScan icon and release. The scan begins automatically and there is no need to launch/ quit Virex yourself.

Turning Virex On and Off

If you need to temporarily disable Virex to troubleshoot your computer or install software that recommends disabling the virus protection for installation, Virex is very easy to turn on and off.

1. Go to the Apple Menu, select Control Panels, and select Virex Control Panel.
2. You will see the On/ Off switch in the upper right corner of the control panel. To turn Virex on or off, use your mouse to drag the switch to the On or Off position.

Updating Virex Virus Definitions

A new virus definition is written for every new virus. New virus definitions are available monthly by McAfee (the Virex software manufacturer) in order to be effective against the latest viruses.

Virus definitions are released on the first day of every month. Information Technologies will post the definitions as soon as they have been made available and tested.

To check which virus definitions you have, launch Virex and note the date of the Virus Definitions in the lower left corner of the Virex application window. If you already have the virus definitions from the current month there is no need to go through this updating process. If you do not have the noted virus definitions continue with these directions to update them.

Virex definitions are also posted every month in ResNet Software in the Virex 6.1 folder.

To update your Virex Virus Definitions:

1. Verify that you have Virex installed on your Macintosh:
1. Double click on Macintosh HD and look for the Virex folder.
2. Go to http://download.mcafee.com/updates/datmac.asp
3. Click on the Download button.
4. Wait for the definition files to download and expand.
5. Double-click on the Virus Definitions folder.
6. Double-click on the Virus Definitions file.
7. When asked if you want to update the virus definitions, click Update.
8. When the definitions have been applied successfully, click OK.
9. Go to the File Menu and select Quit.
10. Go to the Special Menu and Restart.
11. Scan your computer now that you have the latest virus protection.

Configuring Virex to automatically update its Virus Definitions

You can configure Virex to automatically update its virus definition files every month.

1. Launch Virex.
2. From the Schedule menu, select Edit Schedule...
3. In the Schedule Editor, create a new event to update Virex's virus definition files.
1. Click on the After Startup button and select At a Specific Time from the pop-up options.
2. Click on the Diagnose button and select eUpdate from the pop-up options.
3. Select Monthly from the pop-up menu next to eUpdate.
4. The date selected should be on the second, third, or fourth of the month. Set the date for the next time you should be updating your virus definitions. For example, if today was April 8, 2002, the date entered should be 5/2/02, 5/3/02, or 5/4/02.
5. Select a time convenient for you to have your virus definition files updated. Suggested times include first thing in the morning, lunchtime, or before you leave for the day, but any time is acceptable.

4. Click Add.
5. Click Save.
6. The window will close and Virex should now automatically update its virus definition files every month.
7. Quit Virex.

Information about the AutoStart Worm

The AutoStart Worm is a virus that can infect unprotected Macs. Virex is able to detect and clean the AutoStart Worm, but this virus will reinfect your computer unless you follow the directions below:

1. Restart your computer with extensions disabled. To disable your extensions, press the Shift key on your keyboard as you restart your computer. Continue to hold the Shift key until you see the message Extensions Disabled (Off).
2. After the computer has started up, use Virex to scan your hard drive and any disks that might have been infected. See the section of this page on Using Virex for more detailed instructions on scanning with Virex.

To prevent the reoccurence of the AutoStart worm:

1. From the Apple menu, go to Control Panels and choose QuickTime Settings.
2. Choose AutoPlay from the menu at the top of the control panel window.
3. Make sure that the Enable Audio CD AutoPlay and the Enable CD-ROM AutoPlay checkboxes are not checked.
4. Close the control panel window.
5. From the Virex icon in the control strip, click on Open Virex Control Panel.
6. In Preferences, choose File Access. Make sure that the following are checked: Scan Files at download, Scan Files when opened, Scan Compressed Files at Download.
7. Go to Automatic preferences and make sure the following are checked: Scan When Mounted = Always, Floppy Disks, Hard Disks, Ejectables (Unlocked), Ejectables (Locked/ Read-Only).
8. Click on Save.
9. Restart your computer.

Could not save report in file "Virex Report" . . . error

If you are using Virex 6.1 on a Mac and you receive an error message when trying to quit Virex, saying:

Could not save report in file "Virex Report" because the volume could not be found (is not mounted).

Click OK. Virex is trying to create a report on the Macintosh HD. If the hard drive of your computer is named something else, the report cannot be created in its pre-designated location.

To create a new destination location for Virex reports, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences. In the left column of the dialog box, select Reports. In the right section of the dialog box, under Report Name and Location, click on Select and designate a folder for the reports (we recommend that the reports be kept inside the Virex folder).

Last updated May 21, 2002