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HP PCs - Using McAfee LiveSafe Internet Security to Protect Your PC from Threats

Opening McAfee LiveSafe

Become familiar with the McAfee "Manage Security" screen

Scanning for Viruses and Spyware

Protecting Your Web Browsing and Email

Deleting Files, Updating Software, and Setting Up Parental Controls

Using the Navigation Menu

Updating McAfee LiveSafe

Managing Your Subscription

Additional Resources

This document pertains to HP and Compaq computers with Windows 10 and 8 and McAfee LiveSafe.

McAfee LiveSafe Internet Security helps keep your computer safe from security threats or privacy intrusions. McAfee LiveSafe runs in the background to detect spyware, viruses, and other network intrusions. Use this document to learn about the features of McAfee LiveSafe.

Opening McAfee LiveSafe

In Windows, search for and open McAfee LiveSafe.

LiveSafe opens to the Home screen and displays the security status.

Figure : McAfee LiveSafe Home screen

Become familiar with the McAfee "Manage Security" screen

On the McAfee Home screen, click Manage security.

Figure : McAfee LiveSafe Home screen with Manage security button highlighted

The Manage security screen opens. From here, you can access tools to manage the following items.

Scans
Updates
Your Internet firewall
Your McAfee subscription

Figure : Manage security screen

Scanning for Viruses and Spyware

Customize your virus and software scan type and frequency using the Virus and Spyware Protection menu. From the menu, you can perform the following actions.

Scan for viruses and spyware on your computer
Choose which files and locations to scan automatically
Set up an automatic scan schedule

Use the following sections to learn more about customizing your Virus and Spyware Protection settings.

Scanning Your Computer

Quick scans cover the areas most likely to be affected, full scans cover everything on your computer (and might take more time), and custom scans allow you to choose which areas to scan. The Virus and Spyware Protection menu allows you to run a scan when you choose. Learn how to run quick, full, and customized scans for viruses and spyware using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click Manage Security. The Manage Security screen opens.
On the Virus and Spyware Protection tile, click Schedule and run scans.

Figure : Schedule and run scans

The Virus and Spyware Protection menu displays.

Figure : Virus and Spyware Protection
Click Scan Your PC.

Figure : Scan Your PC
Select one of the following items, depending on how you would like to scan your PC.
- Run a quick scan: Fast scan of areas most susceptible on your computer
- Run a full scan: More thorough scan of your computer
- Run a custom scan: Scan of the locations and files you choose
Figure : Scan Your PC menu

When the scan is complete, the screen shows a detailed summary of the scan and any detected issues.

Figure : Quick Scan is done
If the scan detects issues, follow the on-screen instructions to resolve the issues.

Real-Time Scanning for always on protection

Use Real-Time Scanning to protect your computer whenever it is on for a higher level of protection. Real-Time Scanning is enabled by default. To make sure Real-Time Scanning is on and to set your startup scanning preferences use the steps in this section.

In the Virus and Spyware Protection menu, click Real-Time Scanning.

Figure : Real-Time Scanning

Real-Time Scanning is enabled by default. If Real-Time Scanning is disabled, click Turn On to protect your computer as you use it.

Figure : Real-Time Scanning Off
Click Settings to set your Real-Time Scanning preferences.

Figure : Settings menu
Scroll through the menu to view all Settings options and make changes as desired.
Click Apply for your changes to take effect.

Schedule Scans

Learn how to schedule scans and how to exclude files and folders from a scan using the steps in this section.

In the Virus and Spyware Protection menu, click Scheduled Scans to set your scanning frequency preferences.

Figure : Scheduled Scans setting

Scheduled Scan is enabled by default. If Scheduled Scan is disabled, click Turn On.

Figure : Scheduled Scan Off
Click Schedule Your Scan to set a scanning schedule.
Scroll through the menu to view all the scheduling options and select an option that works best for you.
Click Apply for the changes to take effect.

Figure : Schedule Your Scan menu
Click the Settings drop-down arrows to collapse the Schedule Your Scan menu.

Figure : Schedule Your Scan collapsed
Click Excluded Files and Folders to add and remove files and folders from scans. Use the buttons in the bottom right corner to add files and folders.

Figure : Excluded Files and Folders
To remove files and folders, to include them in scans again, select the file or folder, and then click Remove.

Protecting Your Web Browsing and Email

Learn about The Web and Email Protection menu, which provides options for the following settings and features.

Firewall settings: A firewall protects your computer from unwanted network traffic
Spam settings: Spam is email that comes from unknown and often unwanted sources - primarily email.

SiteAdvisor is an extra feature of McAfee LiveSafe that helps you identify which websites are safe to visit and which could pose security threats.

Read one of the following sections.

Setting Your Firewall Preferences

A firewall constantly checks network activity and prevents unwanted inbound and outbound network traffic. Learn how to view and set your level of firewall protection using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click View firewall and anti-spam settings.

Figure : View firewall and anti-spam settings

The Web and Email Protection menu displays.

Figure : Web and Email Protection menu
Click Firewall to set your Firewall preferences.

Figure : Firewall selection

Firewall is enabled by default. If Firewall is disabled, click Turn On.

Figure : Firewall Off

To restore Firewall to its initial configuration, click Restore Defaults.

Figure : Restore Defaults button
Set the strength of protection for Internet browsing using the Firewall menu. For example, you can increase or decrease your protection depending on if you are using your home network or a different network.

To view the options of one of the Firewall menus, click the arrows button to expand the menu.

Figure : Firewall menus

Setting Spam Preferences

Learn how to customize your spam filter and the location where spam messages are stored using the steps in this section.

In the Web and Email Protection menu, click Anti-Spam to set your spam preferences.

Figure : Anti-Spam selection

Anti-Spam is enabled by default. If Anti-Spam is disabled, click Turn On.

Figure : Anti-Spam Off
Use the Anti-Spam menu to choose what you want filtered as spam. For example, filter spam by character types, specific phrases, unknown email addresses, and more. Use the Anti-Spam menu to choose the storage location for spam.

To view the options of one of the Anti-Spam menus, click the arrows button to expand the menu. Select one of the following menus.
- Spam Protection Levels: Use this menu to set your basic spam protection preferences (from allowing almost all email traffic to reach your inbox to almost none).
- Email Processing: Use this menu to set where spam goes (inbox or spam folder), what McAfee receives when you mark an email as spam, and more.
- Anti-Spam Toolbar: Use this menu to choose in which programs you want the Anti-Spam toolbar to be visible.
- Custom Filtering Rules: Use this menu to set specific rules for classifying spam. For example, filter spam depending on field, condition, word or phrase, or action.
- Friends List: Use this menu to specify the email addresses from which you always want to receive email (for example, overrides a size limitation filter if it is from an address on the Friends List).
- Webmail Filtering Rules: Use this menu to protect your local inbox from spam by filtering messages from your Webmail.
- Character Sets: Use this menu to block spam based on languages.
- Filtered Webmail: Use this menu to see what has been filtered as spam.
Figure : Anti-Spam menus

Deleting Files, Updating Software, and Setting Up Parental Controls

Help your computer run more efficiently and control which websites are available from user accounts. Learn how to destroy your sensitive files, how to keep software up to date, and how to set parental controls.

Read one of the following sections.

Deleting Files

Learn how to shred (delete) sensitive files using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click Data Protection .

Figure : Data Protection
Click Shredder to view options for deleting files.

Figure : Shredder selection
Choose a folder to shred; Recycle Bin, Temporary Internet Files, or Let me choose.

Figure : Shredder menu

The shred options are displayed in the drop-down menu. Options are ordered from fastest and least thorough to slowest and most thorough. Select an option.

Figure : Choose a shred type
Click Shred. If you selected Let me choose the Browse For Folder window appears.
Select which folder you want to shred, then click OK.

Figure : Browse For Folder
Click Shred.

Figure : Shred

Updating Software

Scanning for and installing updated software makes your computer better protected against viruses. Learn how to scan for software updates using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click PC and Home Network Tools.

Figure : PC and Home Network Tools

The PC and Home Network Tools menus are displayed.

Figure : PC and Home Network Tools menus
Click Vulnerability Scanner to view your scanning options.

Figure : Vulnerability Scanner

The Vulnerability Scanner menu displays. Choose to run a scan, customize scan settings, or schedule scan settings.

Figure : Vulnerability Scanner menu

Set Parental Controls

Use Parental Controls to manage the availability of websites from user accounts, and receive notification when users try to access blocked websites. Learn about Parental Controls using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click Parental Controls.

Figure : Parental Controls
Click Parental Controls to view the Parental Controls menu.

Figure : Parental Controls

The Parental Controls menu displays.

Figure : Parental Controls menu

Click Set, and then follow the on-screen instructions to set the administrator password.

Click Edit, and then follow the on-screen instructions to select user accounts to protect and the level of protection.

note:
Parental Control settings block certain websites for selected user accounts. Ensure that the correct user accounts are being used for Parental Controls to work correctly.

Click View Report to see user account activity.

Using the Navigation Menu

The Navigation Center is an alternate information source with a condensed organizational style (you see more on the main screen than on other main screens in McAfee LiveSafe). Use the Navigation Center to access additional resources such as notification preferences and support.

Read one of the following sections.

Use the Navigation Menu

Learn how to access the Navigation menu and where to locate some of the additional options using the steps in this section.

Open the Navigation menu: On the McAfee LiveSafe menu, click Navigation.

Figure : Home screen: Navigation selection

The Navigation Center menu displays.

Figure : Navigation Center
Defragmenter: A defragmenter is a software utility that arranges portions of files so the maximum amount of hard disk space is available. Make the best use of your disk space using Defragmenter in McAfee LiveSafe.

Figure : Navigation Center: Defragmenter
Quarantined and Trusted Items: Quarantined areas are secure locations where you can temporarily store items, until you decide if you want to delete the items, restore them, or send them to McAfee for further analysis. Use Quarantined and Trusted Items to designate the items to exclude from scans or hold in secure locations.

Figure : Navigation Center: Quarantined and Trusted Items
Traffic Monitor: Certain programs installed on your computer constantly access the Internet. Track your network and Internet activity using Traffic Monitor.

Figure : Navigation Center: Traffic Monitor

Configuring Settings and Alerts

Use General Settings and Alerts to set the amount of updates you receive about McAfee LiveSafe tasks. For example, if McAfee LiveSafe runs a scan and detects no issues, McAfee LiveSafe alerts you to the scan results (or not) depending on how you manage your General Settings and Alerts preferences.

Learn how to set up your McAfee LiveSafe alert and notification preferences using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click Navigation.

Figure : Home screen: Navigation selection
Click General Settings and Alerts to view the alert options.

Figure : Navigation Center: General Settings and Alerts

The General Settings and Alerts menu displays.

Figure : General Settings and Alerts menu
Use the General Settings and Alerts menus to set when you want to receive McAfee alerts. For example, you can receive alerts in the following situations.
- When updates are installed
- When scans are completed
- When programs are allowed to connect to the Internet
- When the firewall is turned off
Click Apply for any changes to take effect.

Accessing McAfee Resources

Access additional support through McAfee Resources using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click Navigation.

Figure : Home screen: Navigation selection
Scroll down to view the McAfee Resources on the left side of the Navigation Center. This section includes several resources, including Help and Support.

Figure : Navigation Center: McAfee Resources selection
Select the resource you want. For example, click Help and Support to view support options.

Figure : Help and Support

Updating McAfee LiveSafe

Use the McAfee Updates menu to check for updates when you want. For example, use the Check for Updates feature to search for updates before your next scheduled check.

Check for updates and set your update automation preferences using the McAfee Updates menu.

Read one of the following sections.

Check for Updates

Learn how to check for updates using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click Check for updates and view settings.

Figure : Check for updates and view settings selection

The McAfee Updates menu displays

Figure : McAfee Updates menu
Click Check for Updates.

Figure : Check for Updates selection

If your product was not registered during installation, you are prompted to register the product before McAfee LiveSafe checks for updates. For more information about product registration, refer to How do I register my product? (in English) on the McAfee support website.

When McAfee LiveSafe finishes checking for updates, the update check completion screen displays.

Figure : Completion window
If updates are found, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install.

Setting Update Preferences

Set your update preferences using the steps in this section.

On the McAfee Updates menu, click Update Settings.

Figure : Update Settings selection

Automatic Updates are enabled by default. If Automatic Updates are disabled, click Turn On.

Figure : Automatic Updates Off
If the Options menu is not already expanded, click Options.
Select one of the update notification and installation methods.
- Download and install updates automatically: Use this option to have McAfee LiveSafe do the updating on its own, and when you are not as interested in seeing what those updates are.
- Download updates but notify me when installing: Use this option when you want McAfee LiveSafe to do the updating, but you want to know what is being installed when it happens.
- Notify me when updates are available: Use this option to make all the decisions about what is downloaded and installed.
Figure : Options menu
Click Apply for any changes to take effect.

Managing Your Subscription

Buy subscriptions, manage subscriptions, and edit account and billing information.

On the McAfee LiveSafe Home screen, click View details to view subscription options.

Figure : View details selection

Your Subscription menu displays.
In the Actions section, click the option you want; for example, click Buy a subscription. The corresponding McAfee website opens. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Figure : Your Subscription

Additional Resources

Refer to Common FAQs (in English) on the McAfee support website for answers to frequently asked questions about billing, account and subscription details, and more.