Weird, mysterious appearance of McAfee Security Scan Plus icon on my desktop...?

Question

Hello out there - Here's a puzzler... a McAfee Security Scan Plus icon has mysteriously appeared on my desktop. I have not signed up for McAfee Security anti-virus and have been happy with AVG. It's almost as if the troll that lives in the basement signed me up without my knowing about it until the icon appeared on my desktop, of course. BTW, this coincidentally happened on 9/11 of this year. Cute, huh? Anyone have any idea what this could be? A virus, perhaps? Or some weird prankster who doesn't have anything better to do with his time (a.k.a. troll). When I tried to check it out, I right-clicked to find properties. The only thing I can find is the shortcut tab which says "Target: Scan\3.8.130\McUICnt.exe "Security Scanner.dll. If I click on any other tabs like the Security, Details or General I get another dialogue box that says "The folder 'C:/Windows/Temp/nsxC45.tmp/x64' specified in the start in box is not valid. Make sure that the folder exists and that the path is correct." What's wrong with this picture? I'm not a very sophisticated computer person and need some help with this one. Any constructive feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Update:

Thanks for the answers. If I downloaded anything I didn't know I was doing it! In general, I don't like to download things because 1) I don't know very well what I am doing and 2)I've heard it is too easy to get a virus if you download a lot when you don't know what you are doing. I don't think I even got on the computer that day. If I did it probably would have been only briefly. I suppose I should check my downloads! If I find anything weird, I'll delete it. Thanks again, folks - Hope everyone has a happy holiday season.

Uncle Pennybags · Accepted Answer

Have you downloaded or installed any software from a web site recently.

I know that sometimes when I want to install or update some software, there's a little area that says something like, "Uncheck if you don't also want Google Toolbar installed" and similar such nonsense.

Perhaps you accidentally agreed to install McAfee Security Scan Plus while installing or updating something else.

UPDATE: Apparently you aren't the only one.  It seems this is one those that I mentioned when updating Adobe Reader or Flash.  See the link.

? · Answer

1) It's not the best. 2) Uninstall if possible. 3) Slow down when downloading and/or installing. If you don't you will end up with a ton of crapware. 4) Never just click, click, click your way through anything. Stop. Look. Then Click.

Anonymous · Answer

Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. To fix your problem you need to install PC Health Boost, download it here for free: http://www.healthboostpc.com

It's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate; it's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than normal. Install it, hit run and problem solved. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.

Ed G · Answer

It comes with a lot of programs but my guess since you don't remember it got on there when updating Adobe flash or Reader. That is the most common way it gets on a computer.Most users don't pay attention when updating adobe.

smgray99 · Answer

You got that along with another download.  Whenever you download anything always read though the install boxes to make sure you are not installing anything extra that you do not want.

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Weird, mysterious appearance of McAfee Security Scan Plus icon on my desktop...?

5 Answers