Internet / Network Security

  1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. Internet / Network Security

Step-By-Step Configuration for McAfee Internet Security Suite Antivirus

From Tony Bradley, CISSP-ISSAP, for About.com

6 of 10

Configure E-Mail Scan Options Of ActiveShield

McAfee Internet Security Suite

McAfee Internet Security Suite Email Scan

Clicking the E-Mail Scan tab of the ActiveShield advanced options will open a screen where you can specify what types of email communications to scan and what to do when a threat is detected.

The top checkbox allows you to choose whether or not to scan Inbound e-mail messages. Since e-mail is one of the primary means by which viruses and worms get into your system, it is important that you leave this checkbox checked.

Under that checkbox are two radio buttons which allow you to decide how to handle detected threats. There is an option that says Prompt me when an attachment needs to be cleaned, but that may simply result in a lot of prompts from your antivirus software that most people won't really know what to do with. I recommend you leave the top choice, Automatically clean infected attachments, selected.

At the bottom is a checkbox to choose whether or not to scan Outbound e-mail messages. If your computer never became infected then obviously you would not have any infected outbound communications. However, it is a good idea to leave this option checked so that you might be alerted if your system does become infected and starts sending infected email attachments out to others.

Explore Internet / Network Security

About.com Special Features

Build Your Own Website

Step-by-step advice on how to do everything from choosing a Web host to promoting your content. More >

Connect Your Home Computers

Easy ways to connect two computers for networking purposes. More >

Internet / Network Security

  1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. Internet / Network Security
  4. Security 101
  5. Learn Computer Security
  6. Step-By-Step
  7. Step-By-Step Tutorial For Configuring McAfee VirusScan

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.