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Downloads - Frequently Asked Questions
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- When do the DAT files need to be updated?
- Which DAT files do I need?
- Where can I get DAT files?
- How do I install the DAT files?
- What is the difference between Update and Upgrade?
- What is the SuperDAT utility?
- What DAT files do I need for the Emergency Disk?
- McAfee Anti-Virus Engine and Product Support
- How often do I need to update my Engine?
- If I update my Engine, do I need to update my DATs?
- After updating my DAT files, it detects a lot of new viruses
- How can I get protection without worrying about DAT files?
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To ensure that you have the most comprehensive virus protection available, you should visit www.mcafee.com weekly to download and install the latest DAT files. You can update your DAT files at the Updates page.
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versions of McAfee VirusScan have timers built into the program to notify you when your DAT files become dangerously out of date.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 DAT files, when we issue a Virus Alert about a particularly dangerous new virus.
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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.
Once you determine which version of VirusScan you have, select the VirusScan version at the Updates page to update your DAT files.
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.
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The simplest way to get the latest DAT file is to go to www.mcafee.com and select DAT Updates link from the Anti-Virus section or the Downloads section. You will be prompted to choose the correct version of the DAT file to download, based on your version of VirusScan.
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.
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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).
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An update provides you with the latest version of our .DAT file, which contains the most current virus protection available for your McAfee product. As new viruses are discovered, we continually make changes to our .DAT files to include protection for them.
For VirusScan or VirusScan-bundled products, we provide unlimited updates for the life of the product. You can download updates at any time from our Web site.
An upgrade provides you with the latest version of a McAfee software product. For example, if you own VirusScan version 3.x, you can upgrade to VirusScan version 4.x.
You get a one-time upgrade within the first 90 days of your product purchase. It's easy to use. Just download your upgrade from our Web site with the Login ID and password that came with your product.
Please check your product box and registration card for specifics on your upgrading rights.
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The SuperDAT utility lets you upgrade your scanning engine and DAT file. Previous update utilities, only allowed you to update DAT files.
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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 are a subscriber of McAfee.com Clinic or McAfee.com VirusScan Online, you may create a new Rescue Disk at any time.
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The McAfee Anti-Virus Engine is the core component of McAfee products - without the Engine there would be no virus detection. As new applications are developed that allow virus writers to write code to attack new types of files, the VirusScan scanning technology needs to be updated to counter these new threats.
To ensure that you have the most comprehensive detection and cleaning capabilities, you will need to add the latest engine version so that VirusScan knows how to properly detect the latest virus threats. Usuallly, the anti-virus weekly updates - DATs - can provide this information for McAfee VirusScan.
Occasionally the technology must be more closely integrated with the VirusScan product, and will require and update to the engine. The engine works with the DATs to figure out which files may be infected, how to detect, and how to clean the latest threats to your PC.
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New engines are available for VirusScan approximately every 3 months and are applied using McAfee's SuperDAT utility. It is important to update your engine every 3 to 6 months, or as instructed by McAfee in the event of a new virus outbreak. |
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Yes, you should update your DATs on a weekly basis. The McAfee update page will provide details whether you need to apply a new DAT file along with the engine update. |
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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.
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You can get virus protection without having to worry about DAT files by subscribing to McAfee.com Clinic or McAfee.com VirusScan Online. |
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These products are subscription-based online services. This means that you pay a yearly fee and run the applications at www.mcafee.com through a Web browser. This method of delivery frees you from worrying about DAT updates and scan engine upgrades because the software resides on our servers rather than on your hard drive. So, updates are automatic and you'll always have the most up-to-date virus protection for your PC. |
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