is there another program that does the same job as trend micro housecall?

Answer 1

Be careful. I have used some online scanners in the past for antivirus software that wasnt well known, and it would actually put malware on your computer then say you need to buy there software to remove it.....I can vouch for CA, formerly known as Etrust....This is my current security software....

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=XKCWQLVDKDNVRQQCZUF

Answer 2

Online Free Scanners:

Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”
Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

BitDefender Online Scanner http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Kaspersky Labs Online Scanner http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
McAfee http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294
Panda ActiveScan Free Online Scanner http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan?
Symantic Online Scanner http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/ssc_eula.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=ALUFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL&vc_scanstate=2
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I recommend installing the following five programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all five. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection.

Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)
Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper
After installation: update + scan + immunize
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)
http://www.superantispyware.com/

CCleaner: Do not install toolbar and recycle bin options
Set to run when computer starts.
Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files
Place cookies you want to keep in the save list.
Do not run “Scan for Issues” (registry cleaner) unless you back up the registry first.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Note if a scan detects a problem but is unable to remove, start the computer in safe mode with the internet line disconnected and run a full scan.
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Rootkit detection and removal

Rootkit Removal Guide
http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/scan_unhackme.html

Rootkit revealer: Close all programs first and then run.
Does not remove rootkits. Not all results will be malware!
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/RootkitRevealer.mspx

Rootkits Removers

AVG Anti-Rootkit
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-rootkit-update-app-art/?ver=1.1.0.29

F-Secure BlackLight
http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

Sophos Anti-Rootkit
http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html