How to Add Exceptions to McAfee

By Alan Sembera

i Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Adding exceptions to your McAfee security settings enables you access files and websites that are blocked by the application. You can add several types of exceptions, depending on the type of restriction you encounter. For example, if you're using a McAfee security application such as Antivirus Plus or Internet Security, you can remove flagged files from the threat list or allow certain websites through your firewall. You can also exclude files or directories from hard drive scans. If you're using McAfee's Family Protection app, you can create exceptions that allow family members to access specific websites that are otherwise blocked.

Remove Item From Threat List

Step 1

Launch the program interface for your McAfee anti-virus application, such as Antivirus Plas, Internet Security or Total Protection.

Step 2

Click the "Navigation" tab on the main screen.

Step 3

Scroll down and click "Quarantined and Trusted Items."

Step 4

Click "Quarantined Items" to view the list of potential threats found and quarantined by McAfee. If the items have been identified by McAfee as unwanted programs, click "Quarantined Potentially Unwanted Programs" instead.

Step 5

Select the file or item for which you want to create an exception.

Step 6

Click "Restore." McAfee removes the item from quarantine and creates an exception so that the item no longers shows up as a threat during scans.

Allow Blocked Websites

Step 1

Launch the program interface for your McAfee anti-virus application.

Step 2

Click the "Web and Email Protection" tile.

Step 3

Click "Firewall" and then scroll down and click "Net Guard."

Step 4

Select the IP address that is blocked by McAfee.

Step 5

Click "Edit," and then select "Allow This Connection for All Programs."

Step 6

Click "Apply." McAfee creates an exception for the website and allows it through the firewall.

Exclude Files and Folders from Scans

Step 1

Launch the program interface for your McAfee anti-virus application.

Step 2

Click the "Virus and Spyware Protection" tile.

Step 3

Click "Scheduled Scans," and then click "Excluded Files and Folders."

Step 4

Click the "Add File" button to create an exception for an individual file, or click "Add Folder" to create an exception for an entire folder.

Step 5

Select the file or folder in the file selection window, and then click "Open." McAfee adds the file or folder to your excluded items list, and will skip the item during hard drive scans.

Allow Website Through Parental Controls

Step 1

Launch the McAfee Family Protection application, and then enter the administrator username and password you created when you registered the application.

Step 2

Click "Websites" on the main screen.

Step 3

Select the member of your family for whom you want to allow access to a particular website.

Step 4

Click "Change Allowed Websites."

Step 5

Enter the website URL under "Allow a Website," and then click the "Add" button. McAfee creates an exception that allows the selected user to access the website regardless of any other settings.

References

Warnings

Writer Bio