The DAT files contain the newest virus remedies. However, McAfee.com does not guarantee backwards compatibility of the DAT files with older versions of the scan engine.
To ensure that you have the most comprehensive virus protection available, you should visit www.McAfee.com weekly to download and install the latest version of the DAT file. You'll find the link to Update VirusScan in the Anti-Virus Center and in the Download Center.
Some versions of McAfee VirusScan have timers built into the program to notify you when your DAT files become dangerously out of date. Selecting the Update VirusScan option from within the program and connecting to our site to check on new DAT files is also a valid method of updating your DAT files.
Be sure to update your viruses, when we issue a Virus Alert about a particularly dangerous new virus.
It depends on your version of VirusScan. You can find your VirusScan version and the DAT files, by running the program and going to the Help pull-down menu and selecting About.
When you select the Update VirusScan link in either the Anti-Virus Center or the Download Center, you will be prompted to choose the correct version of the DAT file to download, based on your version of VirusScan. Using the incorrect DAT files for your version of McAfee VirusScan can result in missed infections and possibly other errors.
Macintosh owners who use Dr. Solomon's Virex can get DAT file updates by following the same links.
The simplest way to get the latest DAT file is to go to www.McAfee.com and select the Update VirusScan link from the Download Center or the Anti-Virus Center. The current DAT files can also be downloaded from these sources:
AOL Keyword: McAfee
AutoUpdate (SecureCast): In the retail and deluxe versions of VirusScan there is an Update VirusScan option under the File pull-down menu. Selecting this option allows you to update either your DAT files or both the program and the DAT files, depending on the option you choose.
This option requires either a dial-up connection to the Internet, or a long distance phone call through an asynchronous modem connection to connect to our servers. After downloading this update, the files will automatically install.
BackWeb: McAfee also has a channel on BackWeb for our licensed (not evaluation) customers to receive DAT file updates. The BackWeb installer is available on the McAfee CD that you purchased, usually in a \SECURCST or \BACKWEB directory.
BackWeb will deliver DAT files, virus alerts, and McAfee news directly to you. If you have purchased VirusScan on the Web, see the Backweb\Securecast FAQ.
When you download the DAT file, it will appear on your hard drive as DATxxxx.exe. It is a self-installing executable file. Simply double-click on the file, and it will install itself into your existing version of VirusScan (or Virex for Macintosh users).
8. When I update my DAT files, VirusScan says it detects a lot of new viruses?
This means that you have a lot of new viruses that the older DAT file could not detect. Follow the onscreen directions for cleaning or deleting the infected files.
9. What DAT files do I need for the Emergency Disk?
The Emergency Disk creation utility uses a special set of DAT files to build your clean-boot disk. These files are designed to detect and remove boot sector/master boot record viruses. They do not detect macro viruses and non-memory-resident viruses, since these can be cleaned with your regular version of VirusScan. The file names on the diskette are named:
EMNAMESDAT
EMCLEANDAT
EMSCANDAT
Simply copy the files to a clean boot disk and rename the files by removing EM from the beginning of each name. These files will be updated along with the scan engine on an as-needed basis. If you have a yearly or trial subscription to the McAfee Clinic, you may create a new Rescue Disk at any time by visiting www.McAfee.com and selecting Rescue Disk in the Anti-Virus Center.
10. Is there a way to have the latest virus protection without worrying about DAT updates?
Yes, there is. The new McAfee Clinic is our latest online service. It frees you from worrying about DAT updates and scan engine upgrades. The McAfee Clinic is a collection of powerful online utilities that are always up-to-date. They reside on our servers rather than on your hard drive. For a single low yearly subscription fee, you can use all the applications in the McAfee Clinic as often as you like.
These applications include advanced virus protection utilities. In addition, the McAfee Clinic contains utilities to free up space on your hard drive, optimize your system configuration, and more.
