On the first of every month, Symantec releases updated Virus Definitions and Help files for SAM (Symantec Anti-virus for Macintosh). Here's where to find these files and how to update them.

Downloading the files...

Step 1: Open Netscape Navigator and go to the Symantec web site.

Step 2: Under Product, select "Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh (SAM)" and click "Next".

Step 3: Click on "Virus Definitions for SAM" from the list of Downloadable Updates. This will take you to the latest version of the SAM Virus definitions update.

Step 4: Click on the name of the Update to download the files.

The files will be downloaded and expanded by Stuffit Expander. When Stuffit is finished decoding the files, it will create a folder on the desktop that contains the new Virus Definitions file and the new SAM Help file. These are the only two files that you will need to update SAM.

Updating SAM...

Once the files have been downloaded and decoded, it is time to update SAM.

Step 1: Mount the Assimilator Volume for the machine that you wish to update.

Step 2: Open the folder created on the Desktop by the download and copy the "SAM Virus Descriptions" and "SAM Help" files to the System Folder on the Assimilator Volume.

Step 3: You will be asked if you wish to replace the older definitions and help files, click OK.

Step 4: Close and unmount the Assimilator Volume.

Step 5: Assimilate the machine.

Step 6: After Assimilation, start SAM. Pay attention to SAM's opening screen. At the bottom of the window will be the creation date of the virus definitions file. Check that the date matches that of the downloaded files.