How to Run a Virus Scan in McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012

McAfee Antivirus Plus 2012 is the latest version of McAfee AntiVirus Plus series. The security solution has a 'Plus' appeal with a built-in firewall, antivirus & anti-spyware, web & email protection, and contemporary user interface showing a chest of drawers among other tools and utilities. With this brand new security software, you may need help running a virus scan on your PC. Considering this, we have designed a free McAfee antivirus support guide that will help you run a virus scan properly and schedule an auto-scan also.

Procedure:

Before we begin, we presume that you have the McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012 installed on your computer. If you don't have, look for the McAfee setup kit. It will have a McAfee installation disk, McAfee setup support manual. If the program came preinstalled with your computer, there is no need re-install it. If you don't have the McAfee disk and the program is also not installed on your computer, open your browser and visit the McAfee website. Download McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012 and install on your PC. When done, you will see a McAfee shortcut icon on your desktop and/or in the system tray.

For a pre-installed McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012, if this is the first time you are running it, you might be prompted to register with McAfee. So, enter your first and the last name, and a valid email address. When prompted, set up a password, confirm it, and continue with the registration. When done, the program will check for latest updates and install them. You can push the updates back if you want to run them later on.

Look for the M icon and double-click to open it. As mentioned above, you can find it either on the desktop, the system tray or taskbar. When in the McAfee AntiVirus Plus console, you will see an overview of the security status of your PC, update status, subscription, tools, and features etc. Under Features, you will see Virus and Spyware Protection, Web and Email Protection, Data Protection, and PC and Home Network Tools.

Click the drop-down arrow on the Virus and Spyware Protection strip. You will see a list of features viz. Scan Your PC, Real-Time Scanning, and Scheduled Scanning etc. open up. Click the Scan Your PC link. You will now see the scan options viz. Run a quick scan, Run a full scan, and Run a custom scan. Choose an option, click on it, and then click the Start button to begin scanning your PC. If you suspect a malicious activity in your PC, choose to run a full virus scan.

If you want to continue working on your previous tasks, click the Run in the background option before clicking the Start button. This way the virus scan will run in the background and will show up only when it completes. If you want to see the scan progress, click the M icon and the console will open up. If the program detects a Trojan, virus, or potentially unwanted program, it will either automatically remove it or prompt you to take an action. Choose what is shown on the console screen.

If you want to schedule auto-scans to avoid facing the hassles of running manual scans, get back to the Virus and Spyware Protection strip on the console. Click the Scheduled Scanning link. You will see that the Scheduled Scans feature is enabled. Under Schedule Your Scans, click the radio button beside Set my own scan schedule. Click the drop-down arrow and select a time period. Also select the particular day to automatically run the scan on. For optimal performance of your PC, click the box beside Scan using minimal resources. Also check the box Start scan only when the PC is plugged in. Click the Apply button to save the changes. Click the X button to exit the McAfee Antivirus Plus 2012 console.

Additional Info:

The default virus scans run weekly viz. every Wednesday or Friday as preset by McAfee.

The Author of this article is associated with V tech-squad Inc, V tech-squad Inc. is a cloud based technical support provider to consumers and small businesses. if you have any problem while performing the above steps and need technical assistance for Mcafee technical support, You can reach V tech-squad online technical support at their Toll Free No +1-877-452-9201.

About V tech-squad Inc.

V tech-squad Inc. is a cloud based online technical support provider to consumers and small businesses. V tech-squad provides support to users for issues with their PCs, Mac's, Tablets, Phones such as iPhone and Blackberry and devices such as MP3 players, Printers, Scanners, Fax, Wireless networking gear, Netflix, Roku boxes and TVs. With an obsessive focus on quality and building technical expertise, V tech-squad continues to maintain an issue resolution rate of more than 90%. V tech-squad's credibility has been tested by more than 10,000 customers. Currently V tech-squad provides support services to consumers and small businesses in United States. For more information on V tech-squad, Inc. visit vtechsquad.com.

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How To Identify Fake Anti-Virus Software

Today, people from all over the world are doing whatever they can to keep their computers virus free. People are becoming more, and more educated on ways to avoid accidentally downloading a virus that can wreck havoc on their computer. Spam email use to just be a nuisance as it filled up your inbox, but now more often than not a spam email can contain unwanted virus software that may be difficult to get rid of once your computer is infected with it. Although these problems can be bothersome, they are easy to avoid by applying some restraint in not opening unfamiliar emails, and using some common sense. Unfortunately, there is a menace that some people are not even aware of when it comes to computer viruses - fake anti-virus software.

Although identifying fake software can be tricky, it is still possible to identify potentially problematic programs. Here are some important things to keep in mind when dealing with anti-virus software that could be a fake:

Fake anti-virus software will usually have an unusual pop-up window This pop-up window will usually be informing you that it is scanning your computer for viruses. It will then ask you to confirm that you want to get rid of these "viruses". The catch is that you have to "upgrade" the fake software in order to get the version needed to get rid of the reported threat to your computer.
Fake anti-virus software will also make it very difficult to close down If you are finding that it is nearly impossible to close the new pop-up windows for the software, chances are that the program is probably a fake. Real software may have a small pop-up window appear, but these windows are usually off to the side, and you will still have the ability to close them without disrupting your normal internet usage.
Real anti-virus software gives you ways to contact customer service Since the company that is behind the fake software does not want an easy way for you to track where the software came from, usually a fake anti-virus software will have virtually no way to contact the company. Or, if you send the company a message, you don't hear back from them. Before you download a program from a website, make sure that you have a way to get in contact with the company in case you need assistance with the removal of the program.

While there are many reputable anti-virus software companies on the market, unfortunately there are many dubious companies as well. Be sure to back up your files before downloading software from an unknown source. If you think you may have been infected with a virus, you can do a search online with the name of the software, and check to see if someone else has encountered the same problem. If so, continue to search until you find someone that was able to find a way to disable, and delete the fake anti-virus software.

I am the owner of a computer repair business that has serviced the people of the Dallas / Fort Worth, TX area for over 5 years. My company specializes in servicing individuals and small businesses who have computer repair, and computer network setup needs. I am also a virus removal expert (VRE). My website, DFWGeekOnTheGo.com has received the Angie's List Super Service Award, and a rating of six diamonds from The Underground Shopper, a company that focuses on saving shoppers money, which has been featured on CNN.

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Don't Cry The Anti-Virus Blues!

Do you run your computer system without anti-virus software? What about surfing the web? Do you brave the rapids of chance just to see if you've received your email? If you do, shame on you. Because without virus and malware protection, you might as well point a gun at your computer and play Russian roulette, squeezing the trigger with every click of the mouse.

A few weeks ago, I was surfing the web on my desktop computer, when suddenly a security alert window appeared saying "System danger! Your system security is in danger. XP Home Security 2011 has detected Spyware, Key loggers, or Trojans that may be working the background right now. Perform an in-depth scan and removal now, click here." I immediately logged off and ran a quick scan of my system with Norton Internet Security (which is what I was currently running...) - didn't find a thing. After rebooting my pc, the alert popped up again and again... each and every time as I tried to go to Windows Explorer. I knew that this was a virus but I'd never seen this type before.

Tried to get back onto the internet, to do a search, but this '###@@@@!' window kept popping up, really starting to be a pain now! Finally, I just got my laptop and logged onto the Web, and found what type of virus I'd contracted, it was known as 'Antivirus 2011', a particularly nasty one, too. It is a rogue security application that is intent on stealing as much of your information, personal and possibly financial information which all leads to identity theft! By following the steps provided by Norton's website, I successfully removed the virus from my system which brings me to the key to my story: I was running Anti-virus software.

So here's a Computer Maintenance Tip: It's crucial that you have some sort of virus protection on your system such as Norton, Trend Micro, AVG or even Microsoft Security Essentials (anything is better than nothing). Another thing to keep in mind is that once you install your anti-virus application; make sure you keep it updated with its latest virus definitions (Which mean you have to keep your subscription current).

So, I'll just close with this: Anti-virus software is an essential part of the computer system, and it may not be fool-proof 100% of the time, but it does offer a hindrance for any outside influence from taking control of the system. Along with the use of the firewall from your security software, these two applications are the front-line of defense in the tempestuous world of the Internet.

See ya next time!!

Rick Salter has worked as a computer technician for over 20 years and would like to help you take care of your home computer system by following a few simple computer maintenance tips. Find out more at: => http://www.rtjsmarketing.com/

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