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GTGeek88
Former Member
Message 1 of 20

McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

I do not use McAfee products, but suddenly "McAfee Security Scan" has installed itself on my computer (EXEs and DLLs in the folder include MCUICNT.EXE, SecurityScanner.DLL, SecurityScanner_LD.DLL, and SSScheduler.EXE). I'm wondering what this product is and where it came from. I did not authorize it to be on my computer, however some other product may have installed it without my permission. Is there any way to tell. Is this a legit product? How might it have gotten on my computer otherwise? This may not be the best place to post this question, but I couldn't find a forum that seemed quite right, so here we are. Thanks for any help provided.
19 Replies
exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 2 of 20

RE: McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

Unless you've done an online scan at some stage using McAfee's online scan or used Virustotal online scan it's not possible for McAfee to install itself, unless your ISP is trying to push some kind of protection of course.

As I don't recognize that process I suggest you download, update and run the free versions of these two tools:

http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
GTGeek88
Former Member
Message 3 of 20

RE: McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

No, I have not done an online scan. I do not like McAfee products and will not use them. As I mentioned, I suspect some other software did this without my permission. I can just uninstall it, but I wanted to wait before I did that in case anything there would give me a clue as to what installed it.

What are those sites? I've never heard of them. They sound like some of the sites that purport to scan your computer, but really infect it. Thanks, but without further info, I won't be going there.
exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 4 of 20

RE: McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

They happen to be very reputable anti-spyware applications and are recommended by all the leading malware removal forums.

We wouldn't recommend them if they weren't and we aren't McAfee employees here by the way, just volunteers users.
GTGeek88
Former Member
Message 5 of 20

RE: McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

Well, it just looks a little odd when you are referring people from a McAfee site to some other antispyware/malware products. But thanks, I'll do some research on those . . .

Anyway, it turns out it was the update to Adobe Flash I did yesterday. I was a little too quick to click the Agree and Install and did not notice that they have this McAfee product in their installation. I hate these companies that do that and you have to turn it off. Apple is bad about defaulting you to installing other software when you update QuickTime and iTunes (though I think the last time if defaulted to not install the extra software, so maybe they are seeing the light). If I'd taken a bit more time with what I was doing and paid more attention, I'd have definitely unchecked the checkbox for the McAfee software. Personally, I hate the McAfee product and some of their obnoxious policies and do not use or recommend their software. So now I will remove it and say "good riddance!"

Thank you for your replies.
exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 6 of 20

RE: McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

Oops, you are right and I had forgotten about that possibility. Yes it pays to read everything before clicking.

Regarding recommending other software. It's considered a necessary courtesy as no anti-virus application on Earth can deal with everything out there these days, so it is wise to carry some anti-spyware tools as well.

As we are obviously finished here I'll lock this thread.

Good luck.
sun813
Former Member
Message 7 of 20

McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

Several scans on my PC have shown a Trojan that exploits Java.  Java just issued update 6.24 and it comes with a McAffee Security Scan.  If you did not review the contents of the update, that could be how it got on your PC.  I'd love to know how to get rid of this Trojan, and if the McAffee scan will remove it. 

Peter and other McAffee gurus, any info about this Trojan?

Thanks

exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 8 of 20

Re: McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

McAfee Security Scan was optional and can be removed easily via Control Panel/Programs/Uninstall a Program (Vista/Windows 7) or Add or Remove Programs (XP).

When this thread was started over a year ago we didn't know what it was as it had only just been dreamed up by the developers.

It isn't a trojan and simply checks your system for safety problems.


Message was edited by: Ex_Brit on 05/03/11 5:28:31 EST PM
sun813
Former Member
Message 9 of 20

McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

Peter, thank you for clarifying that the scan was easily removed from the java update install and by using add/remove programs.

I didn't mean to imply that the McAffee scan was a Trojan.  This Trojan appeared about October 2010 and attached itself to Java. They suggested clearing the cache which I did but another scan I ran after the update and clearing the cache showed the same trojan still there.

Does the McAffee scan also do repairs if malware is found?

Thanks very much.

exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 10 of 20

McAfee Security Scan installed on my computer

If it detects a trojan then it should be quarantined.  You can then delete it by opening SecurityCenter

Click Navigation (top right)

Click Quarantined and Trusted Items

It should be in one of the three areas there and can be deleted (or restored if it's a false finding - but that would then involve other steps)

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