Working with EXTRA.DAT files

Explanation of EXTRA.DAT Files

EXTRA.DAT files contain information that is used by VirusScan to detect a new virus. When a major virus is discovered and extra detection is required, an EXTRA.DAT file is made available until the normal VirusScan update is released. These EXTRA.DATs can be downloaded from the the Newly Discovered Threats page, the Recently Updated Threats page, or the Removal Instructions section of the description for the major virus. When this EXTRA.DAT file is added to the VirusScan folder on your hard drive, it is used by the product in addition to its normal DAT files, to detect the new virus. This enables VirusScan to protect your computer from the new virus until the official update is released that contains the virus detection/removal information. Once the official update is released and installed the EXTRA.DAT file is no longer necessary.

EXTRA.DAT files are good for 5 days, at which time they disable themselves. It is recommended you keep your VirusScan up to date by downloading and installing the official daily updates.

Explanation of EXTRA.DAT packages

EXTRA.DAT files may be distributed in two forms, as a .DAT file, and wrapped in a Super Dat package. The .DAT file requires manually installing the EXTRA.DAT file. While the Super Dat executable is a self installing package. People unfamiliar with installing EXTRA.DAT files may find the task of downloading and installing a Super Dat package more manageable than using the .DAT file.

Downloading EXTRA.DAT Files in a Super Dat (aka SDAT) package

Once you have located an EXTRA.DAT which you would like to install, follow these instructions.

  1. Click on the link to download the Super EXTRA.DAT file, a File Download dialog box will appear. Select to save this file to disk and click the OK button..
  2. A Save As dialog box will then appear. The top of this dialog box contains an option entitled Save In. Make sure Desktop is selected for the Save In option. If it is not, click on the pull-down arrow and select Desktop from the list.
  3. Click the Save button. The file will then download to your desktop.
  4. Once the download is complete, locate the file which was just saved to the desktop and double-click it.
  5. Follow the prompts on your screen.

Downloading EXTRA.DAT Files in a .DAT file

Once you have located an EXTRA.DAT which you would like to install, follow these instructions.

VirusScan Enterprise 8.5

  1. Click on the link to download the EXTRA.DAT file, a File Download dialog box will appear. Select to save this file to disk and click the OK button.
  2. A Save As dialog box will then appear. The top of this dialog box contains an option entitled Save In. Make sure Desktop is selected for the Save In option. If it is not, click on the pull-down arrow and select Desktop from the list.
  3. Click the Save button. The file will then download to your desktop.
  4. Once the download is complete, locate the file which was just saved to the desktop.
  5. Right click on the EXTRA.DAT file that is now on your desktop. A pop-up menu will appear.
  6. Left click on Cut. The pop-up menu will then disappear.
  7. Double click on the My Computer icon on the desktop. (Or Start Menu)
  8. Double click on the C: drive.
  9. Double click on the Program Files folder.
  10. Double click on the Common Files folder.
  11. Double click on the McAfee folder.
  12. Double click on the Engine folder.
    13. Once you are in the engine folder, click on the Edit pull-down menu then click on Paste. The EXTRA.DAT file will then appear in the folder.
    NOTE:     If you receive a prompt asking if you wish to overwrite an existing EXTRA.DAT file answer, 'Yes'.
  13. Close all open windows until you are back on the desktop, then restart the computer.

    VirusScan will automatically detect the EXTRA.DAT file and begin using it.

VirusScan Enterprise 7.x and 8.0i

  1. Click on the link to download the EXTRA.DAT file, a File Download dialog box will appear. Select to save this file to disk and click the OK button.
  2. A Save As dialog box will then appear. The top of this dialog box contains an option entitled Save In. Make sure Desktop is selected for the Save In option. If it is not, click on the pull-down arrow and select Desktop from the list.
  3. Click the Save button. The file will then download to your desktop.
  4. Once the download is complete, locate the file which was just saved to the desktop.
  5. Right click on the EXTRA.DAT file that is now on your desktop. A pop-up menu will appear.
  6. Left click on Cut. The pop-up menu will then disappear.
  7. Double click on the My Computer icon on the desktop. (Or Start Menu)
  8. Double click on the C: drive.
  9. Double click on the Program Files folder.
  10. Double click on the Common Files folder.
  11. Double click on the Network Associates folder.
  12. Double click on the Engine folder.
    13. Once you are in the engine folder, click on the Edit pull-down menu then click on Paste. The EXTRA.DAT file will then appear in the folder.
    NOTE:     If you receive a prompt asking if you wish to overwrite an existing EXTRA.DAT file answer, 'Yes'.
  13. Close all open windows until you are back on the desktop, then restart the computer.

    VirusScan will automatically detect the EXTRA.DAT file and begin using it.

VirusScan 4.x

  1. Click on the link to download the EXTRA.DAT file, a File Download dialog box will appear. Select to save this file to disk and click the OK button.
  2. A Save As dialog box will then appear. The top of this dialog box contains an option entitled Save In. Make sure Desktop is selected for the Save In option. If it is not, click on the pull-down arrow and select Desktop from the list.
  3. Click the Save button. The file will then download to your desktop.
  4. Once the download is complete, locate the file which was just saved to the desktop and unzip it (for more on unzipping files, jump down to About Unzipping Files).
  5. Right click on the EXTRA.DAT file that is now on your desktop. A pop-up menu will appear.
  6. Left click on Cut. The pop-up menu will then disappear.
  7. Double click on the My Computer icon on the desktop. (Or Start Menu)
  8. Double click on the C: drive.
  9. Double click on the Program Files folder.
  10. Double click on the Common Files folder.
  11. Double click on the Network Associates folder.
  12. Double click on VirusScan Engine folder.
  13. Double click on the 4.0.xx.
    Once you are in the 4.0.xx folder, click on the Edit pull-down menu then click on Paste. The EXTRA.DAT file will then appear in the folder.
    NOTE:     If you receive a prompt asking if you wish to overwrite an existing EXTRA.DAT file answer, 'Yes'.
  14. Close all open windows until you are back on the desktop, then restart the computer.

    VirusScan will automatically detect the EXTRA.DAT file and begin using it.