Would McAfee instantly detect a virus

[andrewc]

I googled something and then clicked on a legit-website article, and somehow was redirected to the website, onlinewebfind.com, which McAfee says is safe, and then redirected to the address 63.209.69.107, whhich I googled and is apparently a virus. I was on the site for a minute in another tab before I realized it wasn't the article. I went back and clicked the article, and it went to the right article.

My McAfee didn't alert me of anything or have anything on the security history just then, and I'm about to do a full-scan. So my question is would McAfee alert me if there was a virus, and could it get past that or a scan?

Much thanks.

[exbrit]

That depends on what it is.  There's a fine line between good and bad quite often plus one musn't forget that what most people call a virus could be something else by strict definition. If the exact item is in their database then yes it would and if a variant of known malware was present it would most likely slap the Artemis label on it which means it has submitted it as an unknown to the labs.   The least it would do is label unknown but suspicious files as PUP's, possibly unwanted programs, and then leave it up to you to decide what to do with it.    But no antivirus can be 100% guaranteed to catch everything.  Hence the good advice that's been coming out of security websites for years to carry extra tools just in case.

See the last link in my signature below for suggestions.

There is also a submission method for suspected files:  http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat-center/resources/how-to-submit-sample.aspx

.

Message was edited by: Ex_Brit on 26/01/14 8:12:02 EST AM

[selvan]

Hi Andrew C,

As far as McAfee is Upto date and Operating system is Healthy McAfee will detect a Malware instantly and Quarantine( Based on Severity). However if there is a new Malware under attack it needs to be updated to Threat Database wherein McAfee will detect/delete/Quarantine it henceforth.

[Peacekeeper]

I would add make sure your operating system and all adobe and java programs are fully updated so malware cannot  use any vulnerability. Also scan your PC with getsusp found in below link it will report back to Mcafee any suspicious new files. Add your email address to the preferences so it can update you as well.

McAfee Communities: Anti-Spyware/Malware & Hijacker Tools

[Hayton]

Interesting.

http://onlinewebfind.com/

This is probably legal, but I don't like the sound of it at all.  "network technology tracking" means they follow you all over the web keeping tabs on what you do. Not so the FBI can come knocking on the door (perhaps) but so they can build up a complete profile of you.

The IP address "63.209.69.107" is implicated in a search redirection racket which may be connected with scour-dot-com. The search redirections have been noted for a year or two, and products such as Malwarebytes should be able to remove whatever is causing them. If they can't, you may need to look at rootkit-removal tools.