scanning downloads??????

[Guest]

[tech dunce]

hello and thanks for investigating my newbie queries, i recently had some crap on my pc and assume i got it with downloads, i normally scan by right clicking the icon and choosing the scan option, what am i doing wrong, what is best method, have no one else to ask, so thanks in advance, tech dunce

[Damitha]

Hi.

First of all "prevention is better than cure." So be careful when you download.
Always try to download from sites you can "trust"

And scanning the download is the best option. And also try to have an application which supports HIPS. This will tell you by notifying , if the downloaded application is trying to do any modifications (to the registry etc. )

regards,
Dam

[tech dunce]

thanks for the reply Damitha, and i do see the wisdom in your suggestions, but at the risk of seeming really thick how do i scan a download, i have been putting the cursor over the icon, right clicking and choosing the scan option, i get 1 file scanned, is this right, or should i be doing something else,thainks again, tech dunce.

[Damitha]

Well it's like this.

Try to run a full system scan at least once a week. Well you can schedule this according to the AV program you use. This should include your memory as well. Well most applications do this by default (full system scan)

And when you download a file or a collection of files always scan it before use, unless you are 100% sure. A right click scan would be enough for this!

[tech dunce]

thanks again Damitha, i hate sounding stupid but if you dont know and you dont ask then....well you know the rest, thanks again,tech dunce   

[Damitha]

No Problems tech dunce.

We all learned it the hard way! So feel free to ask any question!
Everyday is a learning day for all of us! No matter who you are!



regards,
Dam

[Little Mac]

Something else to keep in mind, tech dunce ~ if you use a browser like Firefox, you can get an Add-on like Safe Download, that will allow you to use your AV to scan the file as it downloads (or immediately after), for an extra measure of protection.

LM

[jputting]

Hi tech dunce,

I have reviewed the software you have previously installed on your computer and none  of them are known to have any Spyware/Adware in them, you are correct in stating your downloads could have been corrupted or infected. Only download your software from highly reputable sites like www.download.com and scan your downloaded files with Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software before installing the files and then immediately do a thorough full system scan with all Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware after you have installed the software.

If in the past you have used Internet Explorer for surfing the internet, you could have been infected  via drive by downloads eg- you simply visit a website and the website secretly installs this scum on your computer without your knowledge. I very strongly suggest you get the Firefox Browser installed on your computer(Also install an extension called "No Scripts" for extra security). Many users say that they have had no more Spyware/Adware since using Firefox which is more secure than Internet Explorer.  I myself use Firefox for 99% of my internet surfing and only use Internet Explorer when I can not use a websites features with Firefox. The Thunderbird e-mail software is also quite good.

Another really good software program to use is "Sandboxie" this program basically creates a quarrantined Sandbox area on your computer and you run your web browser in the Sandbox when surfing the internet. If any Spyware/Adaware tries to install itself on your computer it will be securely trapped in the Sandbox and will NOT be able to infect your computer. When you have finished surfing the internet you simply terminate all procceses running in the Sandbox and delete the contents of the Sandbox and all Spyware/Adware trapped in the Sandbox gets deleted also. It is also good practice to open your e-mails inside the Sandbox for extra security. Sandboxie has been tested by Gizmo at www.techsupportalert.com and he highly reccomends this Freeware software. Sandboxie is available for Free from www.download.com or www.sandboxie.com. This software will display a nag screen requesting a small volountary donation for using this product after 30 days to support further development and research. But it is not essential to make a donation, you can continue to use the product for as long as you wish to use it for Free.   

Since using Firefox and Sandboxie I am pleased to say that I have NOT had 1 single Spyware/Adware infection on my computer for at least 6 months. I have confirmed my computer is finally 100% Spyware/Adware free by performing thorough full system scans with the following- Windows Defender, AVG Anti-Spyware(formerly Ewido), A- Squared, Spyware Terminator, Ad-Aware, Spybot Search & Destroy and have also downloaded the Free version of Spyware Doctor(Only scans and detects Spyware/Adware) Full scans of my computer have Not revealed any existing Spyware/Adware at all.

I am also using the Free Comodo Firewall, AVG Anti-Virus, AVG Anti-Rootkit,WinPatrol, SpywareBlaster, Spyware Guard and use Antivir PE Classic(real-time protection disabled).This is used for  a 2nd on demand Anti-virus scan to confirm my computer is free of Viruses etc.

I am very pleased  that the Comodo Firewall is currently rated as the number 1 Firewall according to the latest Firewall leak-tests performed at www.matousec.com. It has even defeated the paid for commercially available Firewalls. So congratulations must go to Melih and the team at Comodo for producing such a wonderful high quality Firewall which is simply the best!!!
 
I am also closely watching the develpment of the Comodo CAV Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware software, But unfortunately this software has NOT yet achieved a 100% detection/removal rate of Viruses/Spyware. I am quite sure that in the future it will attain the desired official independant certification issued via reputable testing authorities such as Virus Bulletin, ICSA Laboratories and others. I know that Melih and the other people at Comodo are working hard to achieve this aim and I think they have done a great job in producing the top quality Comodo Firewall. If the Comodo CAV Anti-virus/Anti-spyware eventually achieves the high quality technical performance of their Comodo firewall it will give Freeware users another alternative to AVG or Avast Antivirus software. They are both very good products but there is room for technical improvements in both these products and perhaps the introduction of another high quality Anti-Virus product will encourage the competition to attain even higher  standards of Virus detection and removal and further develop these products.

Anyway enough for now, I hope I have been able to help you with your problems.

jputting       

[potain]

Hi

I am using Flashget for downloads and it has the ability to nominate a program to scan downloads after finishing them.   I have previously been using AVG (E:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe) with the parameter (/SE %d).

Can you please let me know what the equivalent is for Comodo AV installed in E:\Program Files\Comodo\Comodo AntiVirus\

Thank you very much

Jean

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