OT: Virus Scan Software

Heh, somehow I think SOMEONE will complain that this is off topic. I guess, yeah it is. But, given the nature of this forum, and the files in the library, I figured what the heck.The other day, I noticed some odd issues with my system, and decided to run an anti Vir program. When nothing would work, I searched on the net and found the following site. http://www.pandasoftware.com/Panda is a free anti virus program, that when run in IE, downloads some active X controls. Supposedly it can find around 60k viruses, and is updated every day. On my system, It found and disinfected something around 19 infected files, and warned me of 38 suspect ones.I strongly suggest you try this program.

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RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, Magick_maker, Mar-22-04, 00:13 AM, (1) RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, OTTODAD, Mar-22-04, 08:03 AM, (2) RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, amadjuster, Mar-22-04, 10:17 AM, (3) RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, tcain1, Mar-22-04, 11:16 AM, (4) RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, Magick_maker, Mar-22-04, 11:22 AM, (5) RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, derekmorton, Mar-22-04, 06:35 PM, (6) RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, stryder47, Mar-23-04, 01:00 AM, (7) RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, heffed, Mar-23-04, 01:16 AM, (8) RE: OT: Virus Scan Software, OTTODAD, Mar-23-04, 07:08 AM, (9)

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I'm adding this as an update, and possibly a warning.When the scan had finished, the program had found something around 31 viruses on my computer. with some exceptions, nearly every last one of them came from my MSTS Trains folder. Most of the .zip files I had downloaded, were infected with some form of a virus. The worst two, were spy viruses that allowed others access to my system without my permission.

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I am not too happy with ACTIVE-X Controls, having all sorts of hidden capabilities.What would the Forum suggest is the best and most efficient Virus protection Program on the market, PAYWARE or not, itself not intrusive or doing some Spying of it's own !O t t o

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What were the names of the viruses (viri?). When I last used Panda, it would name anything that fit its mold and most, if not all, were not viruses. I should think that Nels has a pretty good filter and I have never found one of the files to be infected. I use Grisoft, which is free, and which can be set to inspect e-mail attachments and files. It always has caught the viruses on e-mail for me. Some people use Norton. Some people think Norton is a virus as it is nearly impossible to get rid of! My internet provider is using a new McAfee program that is great. The amount of spam it filters off is unreal and it does not slow down the computer. I like Sygate as a firewall because it stays in the backgound and doesn't screw up the computer like most firewall programs.DP

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-22-04 AT 11:22 AM (EST)

Beware a number of the virus reports you are seeing in the MSTS files may (and probably are) only be from self install routes, trains etc... Virus scanners have trouble with these self installer and sometimes give false positives on them. McAvee has that problem now on one type of installer. So these are probably not viruses. Also there is a difference between viruses, worms, and spy-ware. Viruses are just like they sound. Once in your system, it will spread throughout it attaching itself to other apps boot block etc.. A worm on the other hand will plant a application in your system that can cause damage to your system either immediately or on a timer. It may also may only be used to utilize your computer against others similar to the way the Mydoom worm was to. It usually will also spread itself to other computers using email addresses in your address book. Virus scanners do not always pick these up, since they may are just another app to the system. If there is a common filename used though, and the VS is set to look for it, it will identify it. Spy-ware on the other hand is similar to a worm, but it's main purpose is to gather information that may be on your system, and transmit it to another site. It is usually benign in nature, used to try and sell you something. This is how many of the pop-up ads come from. It can however also be used for identity theft purposes. Programs like Search & Destroy SPYBOT and Lavasoft AD-AWARE can be used to fight these. You may also get a false positive if a filename may coincidental be the same as a spy-ware or worm variant. This happened to me when I named a folder Comet! It seems this is also the name of a spy-ware program that ad-aware destroys.

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let's see here. I have reports of blackbox, Svchost hijacker, klez, mydoom, bagel (two types. C and L i think), and a few minor ones.Thing is, i had run another system before panda, and it had highlighted those but didn't remove them.

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Otto,I use AVG professional on my server and my workstations, I have never had a problem with a virus or false positives.AVG has a free version, I liked it so much I paid for the professional version so I could send in virii that I found.Derek

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Well, I have yet to have a problem with any of the above because I use Trend Micro Internet Security which takes care of everything for me and updates about five or more times a day depending upon what activity is going on. It also checks my email for all of the above and hasn't had a false positive yet! It also has a firewall which I never have to touch and it checks the adware that crawls onto my computer. So I highly recommend this program. But it isn't free yet well worth the money.
And I won't go into Norton. You couldn't pay me to put that back on any computer I run. Screws up everything and you can barely get rid of it once it is on it.TimWestern Maryland Railroad
Gone, but not forgotten!

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>And I won't go into Norton. You couldn't pay me to put that
>back on any computer I run. Screws up everything and you can
>barely get rid of it once it is on it. I've been a very happy Symantec user for almost 10 years. Never had a problem.-Jeff

Union Pacific fan.

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Thanks, Derek and Tim !Going to have a look at both. O t t o

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