ePolicy Orchestrator Agent and McAfee VirusScan 8.5i
Frequently Asked Questions

What is ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO)?

ePolicy Orchestrator is a network application that works with the ePolicy Orchestrator Agent installed on a workstation to schedule McAfee VirusScan installations, virus scans, and virus definition updates.

What is the ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) Agent?

The ePO Agent is the link between the McAfee VirusScan software and the ePolicy Orchestrator network application. The ePolicy Orchestrator Agent receives communication from the ePO to know when and how to install McAfee VirusScan, schedule virus scans, and update virus definitions.

What's the difference between the current McAfee VirusScan software and McAfee VirusScan 8.5i?

While affording the same protections as before, Version 8.5i also provides additional protections against Internet-based virus attacks. It attempts to block Internet communications to your computer that are suspected to be virus activity. It also attempts to prevent viruses from using your computer to attack others over the network. This saves precious network resources and helps to keep your computer from being blocked from using the Internet.

New features:

• Support for 64-bit operating systems
• Support for Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems
• Detection of rootkits in memory
• Access Protection - standard and maximum protection modes for anti-virus, including protection against techniques used by viruses to compromise valid processes
• Access Protection - standard and maximum protection modes for the VirusScan application, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox browsers, and network interface settings
• Access Protection - access protection notification via the new "M" icon

Whom is affected by the ePolicy Orchestrator and McAfee 8.5i upgrade?

Affected are users on the FIU network with Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows XP who currently have an ePO Agent installed in conjunction with McAfee VirusScan. An ePO Agent upgrade is required in order to support McAfee VirusScan 8.5i, regardless of the version of the Windows operating system currently installed. Windows 95, 98, and Millennium are no longer supported by University Technology Services.

Why is the upgrade to ePolicy Orchestrator and McAfee 8.5i necessary?

It is necessary to better protect the workstations on the FIU network from current and emerging threats such as viruses, adware, spyware, intrusion, and compromises. It also brings new functionality in addition to the core functionality of McAfee VirusScan 8.0i and support for the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

How will I know that the upgrade is taking place?

The first phase of the upgrade involves the ePO Agent. Once your computer has received the communication to upgrade, your current ePO Agent icon will disappear. The new ePO Agent icon should appear within 10 minutes after the upgrade was started, but it may take longer.

The second phase of the upgrade involves McAfee VirusScan 8.5i. Once your computer has received the communication to upgrade, your current McAfee VirusScan icon and ePO Agent icon will disappear. A new "M" icon should appear within 10 minutes after the upgrade was started, but it may take longer. The new "M" icon is a consolidation of the ePO Agent and VirusScan icons. Once the McAfee VirusScan 8.5i installation has completed successfully, you should briefly see a red McAfee VirusScan splash screen on your monitor.

Does the upgrade require my interaction?

The ePO Agent upgrade and McAfee VirusScan 8.5i upgrade should not require any user interaction. Both upgrades are initiated from the ePolicy Orchestrator network application and are performed by the ePO Agent. Both upgrades are automated processes and are executed at random intervals throughout the day.

Are there any known issues with the new ePO Agent and/or McAfee VirusScan 8.5i?

There is a known issue that involves upgrading Microsoft Windows XP with VirusScan 8.5i already installed to Microsoft Windows Vista. After the upgrade, VirusScan 8.5i will need to be re-installed.

When I perform a right-click scan, viruses are detected but McAfee VirusScan does not take any action. Why doesn't McAfee VirusScan perform any actions and how do I remove the file(s) infected with viruses?

According to the software vendor, the default action for a right-click initiated scan is continue scanning, even if viruses are detected, and this action cannot be changed. After the scan is complete, the user must determine whether to clean, quarantine, or delete the infected file(s) manually.

On-Access scans (scans that work in the background) and On-Demand scans (scans that run on a set schedule) have default actions that can be adjusted and executed when viruses are detected. The default action for these types of scans is to clean the infected file(s) and then either quarantine or delete the infected file(s) if they cannot be cleaned.