Set real-time scanning options

Real-time scanning options define what McAfee looks for during a real-time scan, as well as the locations and file types it scans. Options include scanning for unknown viruses and tracking cookies, and buffer overflow protection.

You can set up real-time scanning to check network drives and scan for viruses by identifying threat patterns. You can even connect to McAfee's online community to incorporate the most current information on potentially unwanted programs and emerging threats.

Task

Open the Real-Time Scanning settings page.

How?

Under File Types, specify the file types you want to scan each time they are accessed.

To...	Do this...
Detect suspicious activity at all potential points of entry	Select All files.
Scan for viruses in program and document files	Select Programs and documents.

Under Locations, specify the locations you want to scan each time they are accessed.

To...	Do this...
Detect activity from viruses and other threats in the email you send and receive	Select Email attachments.
Detect activity from viruses and other threats in the instant messaging attachments you send and receive	Select Instant messaging attachments.
Detect activity from viruses and other threats in your network drives, as well as your local hard drives	Select Network drives.

Under Threats, specify the threat types you want to scan for in files each time the files are accessed.

To...	Do this...
Detect tracking cookies that monitor your web browsing habits	Select Tracking cookies.
Detect spyware and other potentially unwanted programs	Select Spyware and other potentially unwanted programs.
Detect malicious scripts running in Internet Explorer and Firefox	Select Scripts in Internet Explorer and Firefox.
Protect your PC from buffer overflows	Select Buffer overflows.

Under Extended Protection, specify the additional protection options you would like to include in real-time scanning.

To...	Do this...
Get immediate protection against emerging threats	Select Connect to McAfee's online community to defend against emerging threats.
Detect unknown viruses	Select Scan for viruses by identifying threat patterns.

Click Apply to save your settings.

Use caution when changing real-time scanning options from the default settings, because it can make your PC vulnerable to certain threats.