Once
Virex is installed it works automatically to protect your Mac from viruses.
You can customize Virex and also ask it to scan and diagnose your disks
and files any time you want.
Locate your Virex Folder. If you have just installed Virex, its
window should be opened on your desktop right now. Otherwise you'll
need to find the Virex folder on your hard drive. Choose Search, or
Sherlock (if you're running Mac OS 8.5 or higher) and search for Virex.
When
the Virex folder is revealed in the search window double click
on it to open. Then double click on Virex icon to launch Virex
application.
Do not click on the Virex DropScan icon on your desktop! This
is not the Virex application iteself, but only a drag-and-drop
utility used to scan files and folder for viruses. Virex DropScan
is not configurable. It's behavior is controlled by the main Virex
application Preferences.
It is explained later
how to use Virex DropScan.
Here
is the Virex main window. In the area in the lower left you will
see all your volumes that are currently mounted on your desktop.
You can select a volume or several volumes by clicking on them
and then make Virex scan them by clicking the Diagnose button.
Or click Repair to scan and automatically repair infected files.
While
Virex is scanning your volumes you will see this window which
shows the progress bar and Virex messages.
If Virex encounters a file that is infected, you will have an
option to either repair or delete that file. In most cases the
virus code can be removed from a file. However, in some cases
the file may damaged beyond repair. If you can get a fresh copy
of this particular file, it is safer to delete the infected file.
To
customize Virex behavior click on the Preferences button
in the main Virex application window.
Click on the Diagnose icon.
If
you frequently receive floppies from different sources, make sure
that Diagnose Floppy Disks on Insertion option is checked.
This way Virex will scan all inserted floppy disks for viruses.
In general, your Diagnose options should look like the
example on the right.
All other options should be left at their default settings. Virex
manual in PDF format can be found here.
You
can also scan and repair you files, folders and disks by dragging
and dropping them onto the Virex DropScan icon which you will
find on your desktop. Do not move or delete this icon and do not
double click on it. It is only used for dragging and dropping
files and folder onto it. As mentioned before, Virex DropScan
is not the Virex application itself an is not configurable. It's
behavior is controlled by the main Virex application Preferences.
Find an icon on your desktop named Virex DropScan:
DropScan
is installed by default during regular Virex installation.
If you don't see it right on your desktop you will have to do
full Virex installation.
Follow the procedure outlined on the main
Virex page.
You can simply drag and drop any file, several files, a folder
or a whole disk onto Virex DropScan to scan and repair it.
