GFI MailSecurity will no longer support old version of McAfee virus scanning engine

The information in this article applies to:

  • GFI MailSecurity for Exchange/SMTP 10
  • GFI MailSecurity for Exchange/SMTP 8
  • GFI MailSecurity for Exchange/SMTP 9

Article ID: KBID001225

Query keywords: mcafee

Virus definition files for old versions of McAfee will stop being made available through GFI MailSecurity on January 1, 2010

This notification applies to GFI MailSecurity customers who are using an old version of the optional McAfee virus scanning engine

McAfee had advised that support for older McAfee engines will shortly be discontinued; if you are still using an old version of that optional engine, you need to upgrade to the latest build of GFI MailSecurity 10 to benefit from a more recent version.

Starting with the GFI MailSecurity 10 build 20070410, GFI MailSecurity shipped with McAfee V5 anti-virus engine. This new version of the McAfee anti-virus engine provides the following significant improvements over previous versions:

  • Improved protection against existing and new and potential threats
  • Faster operation
  • Protection against a wider of unwanted programs
  • Support for more packed-executable file formats

As of January 1, 2010, virus definition updates will only be provided for this new McAfee V5 Anti-virus engine that is included with GFI MailSecurity 10 build 20070410 and later. Older versions and builds of GFI MailSecurity run a previous version of the McAfee anti-virus engine, and they will stop receiving updates for that older engine as of this date.

It is therefore recommended that all GFI MailSecurity clients who have licensed the McAfee engine upgrade to the latest build of GFI MailSecurity 10.

Who is affected?

GFI MailSecurity customers who have licensed the McAfee engine and who are running a previous build to GFI MailSecurity 10 build 20070410 need to update to a more recent build. Previous versions of GFI MailSecurity are also affected by this problem.

To determine which build you have, click the GFI MailSecurity > Version Information node.

How can I verify whether I am affected?

You can verify if you are affected as follows:

  1. Open the GFI MailSecurity configuration
  2. Change to 'Version Information'


     
  3. If the build number is 20070410 or greater your installation is not affected by this issue. You need not continue reading this notification.
  4. If the build number is 20060721 or smaller, your installation is affected by this issue, and needs to be updated to the latest build. Please read on!


What happens on January 1, 2010?

Friday January 1, 2010 is the date when the old McAfee virus definition files will no longer be provided for download.

If you are using GFI MailSecurity 10 build 20070410 or a newer build, GFI MailSecurity will continue downloading the virus definition files for the new McAfee virus scanning engine. You are already receiving virus definition files for the new version of the McAfee engine.

If you are using GFI MailSecurity 10 build 20060721 or an older build or version, GFI MailSecurity will notify the Administrator that updates could not be downloaded. The following error is shown in the notification email: ‘Failed to download McAfee files.’ Emails will continue to be scanned, however the McAfee virus scanning engine will not receive further updates. You would need to upgrade to the latest service release of GFI MailSecurity for it to start receiving updates once again.

Are emails lost?

No, emails are not lost. If you are affected by this issue, and decide not to upgrade after December 31, 2009, your McAfee engine will not be updated further. Email flow will not be affected, and emails will be processed normally by GFI MailSecurity.

Which anti-virus engines are affected by this issue?

Only the optional McAfee virus scanning engine included in GFI MailSecurity 10 build 20060721 and older are affected by this issue. The other anti-virus engines included in GFI MailSecurity are not affected.

I use the optional McAfee anti-virus engine and am using GFI MailSecurity 10 build 20060721, or an older release. What should I do?

You would need to update to the latest service release of GFI MailSecurity 10 before December 31, 2009.

  • If you hold a valid Software Maintenance Agreement, you can simply upload to the latest build at no charge. 
  • If you do not hold a valid Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA), you can take advantage of our special SMA Amnesty program – valid only for this quarter: Until December 31, 2009, if your GFI SMA expired between January, 1 2007 and March 31, 2009, you can now buy an SMA that will start from the date of purchase, without having to backdate the SMA or paying for a version upgrade. Contact your GFI representative or GFI today to benefit from this offer!

Download location
 
If installing on x86 systems (Microsoft IIS SMTP x86, Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Windows 2003 x86, Microsoft Windows 2008 x86) then you need to download the x86 version of GFI MailSecurity 10:
www.gfi.com/mailsecurityx86/download
 
If installing on x64 systems, (Microsoft IIS SMTP x64, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007/SP1, Microsoft Windows 2003 x64, Microsoft Windows 2008 x64), then you need to download the x64 version of GFI MailSecurity 10:
www.gfi.com/mailsecurityx64/download

How do I verify the status of my Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA)?

You can check the status of your SMA as follows:

  1. Open the GFI MailSecurity configuration
  2. Change to the Licensing node
  3. The SMA status will be shown in the ‘License key information’ -> ‘Maintenance agreement’ section.