Emergency DATs, called EXTRA.DAT files, contain information used by
VirusScan Enterprise
to detect a new virus. When new malware is discovered and extra detection is
required, an EXTRA.DAT file, packaged in a SuperDAT (SDAT) executable file, is
made available by
McAfee
Labs until the normal
VirusScan Enterprise
DAT update is released.
Note: McAfee
no longer posts individual EXTRA.DAT files on the Security Updates download
site. To get an EXTRA.DAT file for a specific threat, go to the
McAfee Avert
Labs Extra.dat Request Page at,
https://www.webimmune.net/extra/getextra.aspx.
SuperDAT packages
The SuperDAT executable is a self-installing package. It might also
include a new virus-scanning engine and other program components. The file uses
the name format
sdatXXXX.exe, where
XXXX is the four-digit DAT version number, for example
sdat4321.exe.
When an EXTRA.DAT file is extracted from the SuperDAT executable and
added to the Engine folder on your hard drive, it is used by
VirusScan Enterprise,
in addition to its normal DAT files, to detect the new virus. This enables
VirusScan Enterprise
to protect your computer from the new malware code until the official DAT
update is released that contains the malware detection and removal information.
Once the official DAT update is released and installed, the EXTRA.DAT file is
no longer needed.
Note: EXTRA.DAT files remain on your file system for 5 days, then they
are automatically deleted. You should keep your
VirusScan Enterprise
DAT files updated by automatically downloading and installing the official
daily updates.