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InterCheck Monitor | Accessing Sophos | Manual Scanning | Further Information
If you are off-site or on the accommodation network then we recommend that you upgrade to the new version of Sophos, which you can get from our download page, as this version of Sophos is due to be retired shortly by Sophos. For users on the main University network this will happen automatically.
Sophos Anti-Virus Software includes an InterCheck Monitor as part of the package. This runs continuously on the PC's in the background, vetting all files that the machine accesses. Its presence is indicated by the small red 'fire bolt' icon on the task bar (near the clock). If this detects an infected file it will attempt to disinfect it, if this is unsuccessful then the file will be renamed. An on-screen error message (see example below) will alert you that a virus has been found, and say what actions have been taken - you will not be able to access an infected file. If you urgently need to access such a file please contact the Help Desk.
The Sophos Anti-Virus package itself is accessed from the Start Menu. Click on the Start button & select Programs - Sophos Anti-Virus - Sophos Anti-Virus. This will launch the program with the Sophos Anti-Virus screen, from here you can run a variety of manual scans if you need to do a more general virus check.
All scanning operations use the main Sophos Anti-Virus screen, additional operations can then be created here as required. In all cases a scan is started by clicking on the green 'Go' button in the top left hand corner of the main window. An illuminated light beside a drive letter (or path name) indicates that this path will be scanned when the 'Go' button is pressed. These lights can be toggled on / off by clicking on them. Multiple paths can be scanned at the same time.
The results of a scan are shown in the smaller log screen at the bottom of the main window. As with the InterCheck Monitor an on-screen error message will alert you to any viruses found. Sophos will automatically disinfect any viruses it finds, if it is unable to do this, the file will will be renamed & flagged as infected - you will no longer be able to access the file. If you urgently need to access such a file please contact the Help Desk.
How to Scan Drives, Folders & Files:
From the main window select the drive that you wish to scan by clicking on the light to the left of the drive letter. In the case below the M: drive will be scanned:
If you want to scan a specific folder, for example on your M: drive, then you need to create a new scanning path by clicking on the 'Add' button to the right of the main window. This will give you the following dialogue box:
You can then either type in the path of your folder in the 'Area' box or use the 'Browse' generated window to navigate to the folder & select it. You can choose if you want to scan only the Executables in the folder (the files that this includes are specified under Options - Executables) or All the files by selecting the correct option in the File types box. Clicking 'OK' will then add this path to the main window:
Clicking on the 'Go' button starts the scan of this folder, ensure that the relevant green light is on (see image above), you may wish to turn off the other scans. Please see the section on Manual Scanning for further details.
Individual files are selected for scanning in the same manner as Folders. Use the 'Add' button to a create a new scanning path as required (the File type box is redundant is this situation) -
and click the 'Go' button to start the scan, ensure that the relevant green light is on (see image above), you may wish to turn off the other scans. Please see the section on Manual Scanning for further details.
If you would like more information on the use of Sophos Anti-Virus please refer to the appropriate Sophos User manual. These are available in pdf file format below - you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to read them. Please note that the majority of installations and all updating and upgrading of the software is managed centrally by the Computing Service, altering any settings related to such functions may prevent your software from working correctly.
Sophos User Manual - Windows 95 / 98/ Me Sophos User Manual - Windows NT / 2000/ XP
If you have any problems when using the Sophos Anti-Virus package please contact the Computing Service Help Desk (tel. 2345, mail: desk@essex.ac.uk).