Virex

Virex is the anti-virus software that Apple includes with your .Mac membership. Virex scans your Mac for viruses and Trojan horses using a frequently updated virus definitions file that can be downloaded automatically over the Internet. It then cleans an infected file, folder, or volume of viruses, and attempts to repair of any file damage resulting from the infection. You can view and print a report of the results

Virex setup

.Mac members can download Virex from the .Mac Web site. Although a version of it is included with the .Mac package, for the latest and greatest version, stick with the downloadable one.

Install Virex on just after you have downloaded the installer and are still connected to the Internet, so it can access the latest virus definitions files. If you have .Mac membership, you don’t have to pay for separate copies of the software for all your computers.

As soon as the installer completes, (and by default, any time you launch it) Virex opens and attempts to scan for viruses. It also attempts to connect to the Internet to download the latest virus definitions file from a .Mac Internet server. Virex asks for your administrator password before it tries to download the definitions, as shown in Figure 18-45.

Figure 18-45: When first launched, Virex asks for an administrator’s password to perform an eUpdate, a download of the latest virus definition files.

If it cannot connect to the Internet, you will see an alert to that effect, but you can still use Virex without the latest definitions. However, you should make every effort to download these definitions, since they include information about how to protect you machine from the latest crop of viruses. The main Virex window, shown in Figure 18-46.

Using Virex

Virex is an easy-to-use utility. Before scanning for the first time, review the settings in the Virex Preferences sheet. Figure 18-46 shows the main Virex window.

Figure 18-46: The main Virex window.

To start a virus scan, launch Virex or press the Scan button. As mentioned above, the scan from a launch will be interrupted if you are not connected to the Internet, and after dismissing the ensuing alert, press the Scan button to continue.

You can also initiate a scan by dragging any number of files or folders onto the Virex application icon or its alias (including the alias in the Dock, if you have put one there), or if Virex is open, onto the Scan button.

Virex scans only the home folder of the logged in user by default. To change the location, make a selection from the Scan pop-up menu. If you select Choose you can navigate to the file or folders you want.

By default, Virex conducts Diagnose scan — that is, a scan without automatic virus cleaning.

Figure 18-47 shows the Virex window during a Diagnose scan.

Figure 18-47: A Virex Diagnose scan in progress.

Most of the toolbar buttons are deactivated, the progress bar shows the scan is in progress, and the files being checked are shown in the results window.

When the scan is complete, the red Stop button converts to the blue Scan button, and the last entry in the Results field reads Diagnose scan complete at (followed by the date and time).

If any viruses were found during the scan, they will be displayed in the Results dialog. If this occurs, you should conduct a cleaning scan; set this to happen by checking the Clean any files infected with a virus checkbox, and clicking the Scan and Clean button.

Virex preference settings

Press the Preferences button on the toolbar to see the Virex Preferences sheet, shown in its default state in Figure 18-48.

Figure 18-48: The default settings in the Virex Preferences sheet.

The preferences sheet is divided into four sections: Scan, Clean, Advanced Scan, and Virus Update.

• Scan preferences: The options in this area determine how Virex scans files.

  • Scan inside compressed (.GZ) and archived (.TAR) files: Active by default, this option enables scans inside compressed and archived files where viruses can lurk, but increases scan time.

  • Automatically scan at login: Active by default, this option enables an automatic scan whenever the user logs in, which is a good idea unless the user needs to get right to work.

  • Show detailed results information: Active by default, this option enables detailed information to appear in the Results area and in printed results. If you want less information, deselect this option.

• Clean preferences: The options in this area determine how Virex cleans infected files.

  • Remove macros from potentially infected files: this option strips macros from Microsoft Office documents being cleaned to remove any chance of a macro virus. However, these macros (similar to scripts) can provide important functionality. It’s your call.

  • Automatically delete infected files: this option deletes an infected file if the cleaning process fails. Some viruses alter the files they infect so badly, it is impossible to return them to their original state. In this case it may be best to select this option and delete the file.

• Advanced scan preference: This option determines how Virex scans for unknown viruses.

  • Perform an advanced scan of applications and macros for previously unknown viruses: this option enables Virex to scan for “virus-like activity.” It is very thorough and very slow.

• Virus Update preferences: These options determine how Virex updates its virus definition files.

  • Check for new virus definitions at launch: Active by default, this option enables Virex to attempt to download new DAT virus definition files each time you log in or launch Virex.

  • Customize my auto-update server settings: this option lets you specify the DAT virus definitions download site server you want Virex to use. This option is deselected when you open Virex Preferences. To change the server setting, select this checkbox, then click the Server Settings button. The eUpdate Server Settings dialog box will open, shown in Figure 18-49.

    
    Figure 18-49: When the Server Settings button is clicked, Virex’s eUpdate Server Settings dialog opens.

In the eUpdate Server Settings dialog, from the Type pop-up menu, select HTTP to use the Apple .Mac DAT virus definitions server, or select FTP to use the McAfee Network Associates virus definitions server.

The default setting is for the .Mac server, and it is recommended that you do not change the setting unless you know what you are doing. In particular, do not change the entered URL, as Virex will then have no way to get to the DAT server. However, if you do this by accident, you can always click the Reset to Defaults button to re-enter the proper URL.

Usually, you should not need to even enter your .Mac username and password, as Virex takes these from the .Mac pane of Systems Preferences. (Virex versions 7.2.1 and below look to the Internet pane of System Preferences in Jaguar, and therefore will not be able to find your login information in Panther. It is recommended you upgrade your version of Virex, but in a pinch you could manually enter your login information here.)

The Server Settings dialog is mainly meant for non-.Mac members, particularly corporate users of Virex, who have purchased a site license from McAfee and would use this dialog to direct Virex to use McAfee’s DAT server, or enter the settings to direct Virex to use a company DAT server location.

To have your Preferences settings take effect, click OK.

The Virex command-line scanner

Virex includes and installs a command-line anti-virus scanner that can be run from the Terminal application. If you prefer working in a Unix command-line environment, or if you want to integrate virus scanning functions into a PERL script, this is the tool for you. It can also be useful if you have booted your Mac into the command-line interface for troubleshooting.

The command-line scanner offer an identical set of features to the graphical interface scanner: no more, no less.

Although the command-line scanner provides online help through its man (manual) pages, Virex also provides a product guide in PDF format that is a bit easier on the eyes. The product guide is almost completely devoted to instructions on how to use the command-line scanner. You can find the Product Guide PDF inside the Virex folder in your Applications folder.