How often do you run a virus check?

[yoda313]

So how often do you do virus scans? I do about once a month on average for the whole system. I spot check all my downloaded files though. I don't open them until I scan them so that really limits my need to do a full on check too often.

[Dv8ted2]

I run a continuous check in the background all the time. I have the processing cycles and RAM to spare.

[Ditka1985]

I run a full system scan on all my systems at around 3:00 AM every day. The only exception to that is if I have a transcoding job running that would extend into the v-scan period. Then I suspend the scan for a day.

I run spy/ad ware scans about once a week, give or take.

[Baldrick]

A few times a year

[redwudz]

I run AVG 7.5 on 3 computers and they all do a full scan once a day. I also run SpyBot S&D about once a week on the machines that are most exposed to the internet. They are all behind a hardware and software firewall.

[3Simon7]

Daily.

Sometimes in the mornings too, but always at the end of the day.
Hopefully that will catch any nasty programs that might run
the next time the PC is booted up.

I also use AVG.

[InXess]

A few times a year

Yep. Nothing more, nothing less then that.

Running it daily is like saying that AV cannot be trusted to guard your system yet the very same software is good enough to scan the PC. Makes no sense whatsoever.

[JimboS]

You should have added " does it automatically" as long as it's on..
Most virus scans do this and there is really no need to run a "special" scan..
Unless you feel the need to!!!
Besides the viruses, as long as your also running a firewall, I see no need to run extra scans..\
I use Zone Alarm (free) AVG (free) and Avast (free)...
Have NEVER had a problem..
Also use Webroot, Win Defender , Adaware.and Spybot....ALL FREE!!!!!!!!

[Conquest10]

Probably once a month. Antivirus is always running and I'm behind a firewall. I feel pretty safe.

[Scorpion King]

Never. I don't use antivirus. I go bareback.

[chipsndukes]

Am seldom at home, when at home like to work, when virus runs HDD is blocked for an hour, hate to let it run at night, what do I do?

...I run it 4-5 times a year, the rare moments when the computer is on, I'm around and I have an hour or so on my hands...

[JimboS]

Really DUMB not to have anything running....
And then you'll blame Microsoft for problems...
Typical STUPID !!!!!!!!!!

[yoda313]

You should have added " does it automatically" as long as it's on..

autoscan option added.... thanks for suggestion

[JimboS]

Your welcome...I had thought that most would realize this is a function of Virus scanners...
If it's in the task bar next to the clock , it's on on working..
Working to protect you and your computer.
They don't use much of the resources, But you know they ARE THERE...

[ssj2_goha]

Never use one becuase:
1. i use a mac
2. I'm not stupid while i'm online

[illgamma]

Ive never used one in my life.

I am my own anti-virus.

There can be only one.

[laspis59]

Same as Baldrick.

Anti-Virus software I've used seems to detect a virus automatically,like JimboS mentioned,but of course,scanning your drive is a good idea occasionally.

[Dr. DOS]

Every other month or so. Switched over to McAfee a few weeks back - runs in the background along with Kerio Firewall and Windows Defender.

[Scorpion King]

Ive never used one in my life.

I am my own anti-virus.

There can be only one.

[jimmalenko]

Daily.


My PC is on 24/7 so I have written a batch file to launch AVG via commandline mode every morning at 4am. It also does an Ad-Aware scan and defrags all hard drives to keep my system in optimum condition.

[InXess]

all those could be scheduled via their own schedulers or windows task mgr, no need for batch files, O&O and similar runs defrag also 24/7 in the background no need for scheduling. If AVG misses to catch viruses on the fly (in your case) then perhaps you should switch to another AV.

[jimmalenko]

all those could be scheduled via their own schedulers or windows task mgr, no need for batch files, O&O and similar runs defrag also 24/7 in the background no need for scheduling. If AVG misses to catch viruses on the fly (in your case) then perhaps you should switch to another AV.

I prefer to use a batch file launched via Windows Scheduled Tasks for a number of reasons:

1. I use the free versions of AVG, Ad-Aware and Power Defragmenter

2. Commandline parameters must be used to automatically update definitions for Ad-Aware - there is no other way to schedule update definitions from within the program

3. I can configure verbose logging of output to text files - including starting and finishing times of scans - so that I can check on the status / results whenever I please

4. I would rather have one mechanism for controlling all 3 processes instead of having to configure each one seperately and worry about overlap / file locks etc etc. I also run a lot of encodes and numerous other things overnight and a batch file ensures that the processes are carried out one after the other no matter how long they take, therefore minimising CPU / memory usage.


And hey .... it works for me

[3Simon7]

I'm starting to wonder about AVG.

I started having problems with my PC
and a scan with AVG caught this....

C:\WINNT\system32\x.exe
Trojan Horse IRC/BackDoor.SdBot2.KMZ

But that's all it caught.

I scanned at www.PcPitstop.com and this was found....

C:\WINNT\sys32.exe
W32/SdBot.HSA.Worm

and this....

C:\WINNT\system32\i
W32/SdBot.FTP.Worm

By the way, I found info about the virus and
it did do what it was intended to do. It messed up
file sharing. My file sharing tabs disappeared, even though I
had file sharing disabled. After I deleted the virus files
with Dr Delete the file sharing tabs were back again.

Zone Alarm initially caught the sys32.exe when it tried
to get out.

My AVG is up-to-date, so I don't know why
it didn't catch everything.

Any ideas? (about AVG)

[redwudz]

The only point I would make is that AVG is mainly a antivirus program. True, it does catch some Trojans and adware programs, but I use it only for antivirus detection. I use other programs for Trojans and adware. Mostly SpyBot S&D and SpyWare Blaster. But I also have a hardware firewall, along with a software firewall and Stopzilla for popups.

One program is not a total solution these days, IMO.

[SCDVD]

Never use one becuase:
1. i use a mac
2. I'm not stupid while i'm online

Really? Then why do you spell because "becuase"?

Now, I want to you to sit down that glass of official Apple issue Koolaid while I give you a brief glimpse of the real world. Just two points; I don't want to overwhelm you.

1. Go to Google and search for – “Mac Virus”. Then read my son and learn.

2. Unless you have an older Mac dog, you own a PC whether you like it or not. Let me explain. A couple of years ago Steve Jobs woke up one morning and realized that he had lost the war. He realized that he had to do something desperate after getting yet another input from a software company who told him that they were dropping support for the MAC because the installed base of Macs is too small. Fearing for his corporate life, he devised a brilliant plan. He decided to phase out production of Macs and start selling PCs. He went to Intel and bought Intel processors and built a PC motherboard that would run Windows. He quickly realized that it would be easy to fool his loyal disciples. Their loyalty was itself testimony of their gullibility. So he hacked up MAC OS so it would run on a PC alongside Windows. The thing that is so astonishing is that his loyal followers lapped it up. These nuts think they are still buying Macs! But nature in its wisdom is being kind to them. If they weren’t so daft, they would be very angry that their god, Steve Jobs, betrayed them and became a PC guy himself. I wonder if he closes the door to his office so no one can see him when he runs Windows?

[yoda313]

I wonder if he closes the door to his office so no one can see him when he runs Windows?

He probably has an XBOX and an XBOX 360 in his closet too

[3Simon7]

I decided to scan another PC at www.PcPitstop.com

That PC also has AVG.

Here are the results.....

Bck/Webber.P Virus
C:\WINNT\system32\Afjojmpg.exe

Bck/Webber.gen Virus
C:\WINNT\system32\Ncjkkp32.dll
(spyware?)

I was able to get rid of them with Dr Delete.

Sometimes, as in my previous post, the virus will
affect the user's PC. However, sometimes the user has a virus
but it doesn't affect their PC, it affects somebody else's PC.

Example..... A bulk mailer will use the user's PC to
send out spam to other people.

Over the last few years I've noticed people saying that
they don't use anti-virus protection. They say that they have
never been affected.

My question is, if they don't check for viruses how do they
know that they don't have any?

A free scan can be done here.....

http://www.pcpitstop.com/antivirus/default.asp

There are also other places to do the test.

[laspis59]

If anyone is still using Internet Explorer then they should take a look at the Firefox browser because its more secure.

http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/faq#mozvsie

[jimmalenko]

If anyone is still using Internet Explorer then they should take a look at the Firefox browser because its more secure.

http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/faq#mozvsie

I am still using Internet Explorer and I have taken a look at firefox, but I wasn't really impressed.

[Scorpion King]

I use Firefox and I like it better than IE.

Oh yea. I just did the free online housecall scan and it found nothing.