Whats the best way to do a virus scan?

Question

I'm having a little trouble, i'm sure i have a virus but nortons doesn't seem to be finding anything. it's scanning all the drives doing a full scan.

So what's the best way to do a scan? any tips or trick to make sure it gets into every little corner? is it worth turning anything off while doing a scan? anything i should take in to consideration that i might have missed?

I'm using the latest version of norton with updated definitions.

One person said do it in safe mode? is this a good idea?

another person said close everything down in the background? right? wrong?

so how can i do the best scan possible?

Answer 1

best way to do a virus scan is to start up in safe mode, press f8 when u start up and select safe mode. this only loads the basic set of drivers for ur system to run. you will catch more this way.

also do a spyware scan the same way

Answer 2

You have scanned the whole computer and still you havent found anything means that some possible spyware, adware, logic bomb can be hiding in your computer.

According to me you should install some good and well known anti-spywares which has the ability to detect most of the contaminated software.

Norton and Mcafee are the good anti-virus according to me, so both of them companies have different testing labs, so whichever virus are detected by Mcafee, they put a new definition file and hence they can be detected by Mcafee Antivirus, but if Norton has not tested that particular virus and havent launched any definition file for the virus then Norton Antivirus will not detect, because it is not updated with any such info, even if you put your whole computer on scan, then also theres no use.

Using the latest version or latest definition of Norton will not help you, because there are so many undetectable softwares made to disable running anti-virus, its auto-protect will show enabled but in fact, it will not detect any malicious software because it must have been disabled internally.

Scanning or performing any actions in safe mode is not an good idea except for spyware or virus removal in which a safe mode action is extremely required.

Closing everything in the background, that doesnt make any sense to me, does it ?

If you dont have any important data on your computer and still have the feeling that you are not secure, format your hard drive and get reloaded with all the required tools to protect yourself online.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

alot of people do virus scans expecting to uncover a virus every time,but you have to remember you are using probally the best anti-virus program on the market,so there is a good chance even if you had come accross a virus ,norton has already dealt with it,i use nod32,but when i use to use f-secure i found my system was pretty much virus free all the time
with reference to doing a scan in safe mode,this is beacause in safe mod only the basic settings are loaded(no drivers),so infection has less places to hide,thus making it easier for scanners to detect viruses and spyware
myself i run a scan from normal desktop settings,the only time i would use safe mode would be if there was a drastic drop in speed and i was suspecting a infection,but otherwise just run as normal
i find that if you download,to be safe,scan all incoming programs 3 times 1.scan the download 2 scan the installed file 3.scan the file again after running the program the 1st time...that way ...if there is a virus you will find it
i think you are worrying about nothing,just keep your defenitions up-to-date and run scans at least once a week and you will be fine
good luck

Answer 5

I would download and install AVG Anti-virus - the free edition (available for home users) - which you can find on this page - http://www.vermontpcsolutions.com/tools_anti_virus.html - , along with many other free anti-virus applications.

- Then I would make sure the virus definitions are up-to-date.

- Disconnect from the network/Internet.

- Delete you cache/cookies, temporary internet files etc...(assuming you are using Internet Explorer -----

* To delete cookies in IE: Tools >> Internet Options >> on the General tab choose Delete Cookies. You will be asked 'Delete all cookies in the Temporary Internet Files folder? Click OK.

* To delete the cache in IE: Tools >> Internet Options >> on the General tab choose Delete Files. Be sure to place a check in the box that says 'Delete all offline content'. Click OK

)

- Start the computer in Safe Mode (you probably already know how but here is a link anyway - http://www.vermontpcsolutions.com/how_to_start_in_safe_mode.html).
-
Then I would run a full system scan.

- Oh, and if you feel comfortable shut down System Restore before you run the scan ( http://www.vermontpcsolutions.com/disabling_system_restore.html) . VIruses can hide in the restore files.

- Let AVG take care of the rest. Reboot and hopefully your computer is clean

- While you are at it though you might want to check your system for spyware - programs such as SpyBot Search & Destroy and AdAware are free and can be found here - http://www.vermontpcsolutions.com/res_spyware.html

Then I would un-install Norton (of if you prefer to pay for anti-virus protection) - uninstall AVG. That is your choice and you don't need two anti-virus applications running on your PC.

If you currently are not using a software firewall you can find out (the basic version) of what one is here - http://www.vermontpcsolutions.com/what_is_a_firewall.html

- There are plenty of free firewalls here - http://www.vermontpcsolutions.com/tools_firewalls.html

Finally, keep Windows up-to-date using Windows Update.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

firstli, let say I truly also agree Norton suckbig time. Many people have recommended various anti-virus packages but the truth is no package is 100% effective all the time.

The first thing you need to do is find out the name of your suspected virus. This usually appears in the form of an error pop-up message. Secondly, disconnect your computer from the Internet because if your virus is also a dialer, it may attempt to control your PC remotely. Thirdly, uninstall your current anti-virus programme and go to another computer( even if its at the Internet cafe) and run a google/yahoo search under the virus name. The links should confirm whether or not you really have a virus and if you do, they will tell you also how to remove it.

Finally, make sure you visits West Coast Labs, they are an independant body who rate simillar packages and select your prefered supply.

Good luck

Answer 7

HiI have had a very bad time with viruses as well. My mom actually helped me because she knows computer tech stuff. Anyway she looked online to see if i had any virusess or software that may contain viruses in my harddrive, then she got rid of them. Then she bought xoftspy. this is like 40 bucks but is well worth it. it is free after that with free updates. This is great for every type of virus or spyware. I had 201 virusese on my computer. No lie! Then try and run as many free viruse scan programs form the internet as possible. i also have spybot which runs scans, and make sure theat it will run as soon as you boot up your computer. this is very inportant, once you are rid of the viruses, you need to keep them gone! Hope this helps!

Answer 8

That's your mistake right there. Norton and McAFee both suck.
Go to this website: www.avast.com
Register. They'll send you a e-mail with your registation key.
Download avast home version and the latesting update. Uninstall Norton. Install avast and the definations and reboot.

Download Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D 1.4

Ad-Aware
www.lavasoft.com

Spybot S&D 1.4
www.safer-networking.org

Answer 9

Go on symantec.com and do a virus scan on there, you can then, if you find a virus, download something to get rid of the virus found.

http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/home_homeoffice/index_virus.html
click on run scan and it'll work I think you need to exit all other pages though, I'm not sure, I'm sure it'll say though! Good luck!

Or download Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ and restart your comp then press F8 during start up and choose safe mode networking ( this is just because in safe mode ad-aware works faster) then double click ad-aware it should start up choose quick scan and you can then get rid of the bad files.


And also download spybot, its best to get the most help to getting rid of whatever you have, Spybot gets rid of any people who are trying to get into your system.

Always works.

Answer 10

the answer by C93 is correct. before you install another virus scanner, Uninstall any other virus scanners you have on the pc.

Also if you install Avast, it will ask you if you want to do a BOOT time scan. Click yes and it will scan you hard drive BEFORE any other programs or device drivers load up.