McAfee VirusScan

Overview

McAfee VirusScan was an antivirus program developed by McAfee, LLC, providing protection against viruses, worms, spyware, and other types of malware. Originally launched in the late 1980s, VirusScan was a staple in personal and enterprise cybersecurity for decades.

In later years, McAfee VirusScan was integrated into the company's broader security suites, including McAfee Total Protection and McAfee LiveSafe, effectively discontinuing it as a standalone product.

Features

Real-time scanning and malware protection.
Automatic virus definition updates.
Firewall and network security tools (in later versions).
Web protection against phishing and malicious websites.
Integrated with McAfee's cloud-based threat intelligence.
Scheduled scanning and automatic quarantine of threats.

Compatibility

McAfee VirusScan was compatible with:

Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
macOS (later versions)
Android & iOS (via McAfee Mobile Security)

The standalone version of VirusScan has been discontinued and replaced by McAfee Total Protection.

Usage

Download and install McAfee VirusScan (when available).
Activate the software with a valid subscription.
Perform an initial full-system scan for malware threats.
Enable real-time protection for continuous security.
Regularly update virus definitions and perform scheduled scans.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✔ Effective malware and virus detection.
✔ Frequent database updates for new threats.
✔ Integrated with McAfee's broader security ecosystem.

Cons

✘ Discontinued as a standalone product.
✘ Can be resource-intensive on older systems.
✘ Requires a subscription for full functionality.

Alternative Software

Norton AntiVirus – A leading competitor with strong malware protection.
Bitdefender Antivirus – High-performance security suite with minimal system impact.
ESET NOD32 – Lightweight and effective antivirus protection.

Developer

Company: McAfee, LLC
Status: Discontinued as a standalone product (Integrated into McAfee Total Protection)