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Scan Your Computer for Trojans, Worms and Viruses, For Free
The Japanese antivirus company, Trend Micro, has come up with an effective online virus scan, called Housecall. Just click on the following link, and Housecall will scan your computer for intruders. Depending on the size of your hard drive(s), and the relative power of your computer’s CPU, the process should take anywhere from about half an hour to an hour. Trend Micro updates the virus definitions each time you activate the scan.
You can also run Trend Micro’s Hackercheck, simultaneously, to check for possible hacker intrusion points, or open (which oughta be closed) ports.
In addition, the company offers their Damage Cleanup Engine.
Here’s how to set it up: Create a folder called sysclean on your C:\ root directory. Click here to download the Sysclean package (bottom of the page), and save the sysclean.com file to the C:\sysclean folder. Next (and this is important), click on latest pattern file. You’ll be taken to a new page. Scroll down and click on HTTP, and save the file to your sysclean folder.
You’ll have to unzip this file, and extract it to your sysclean folder. Finally, click on the sysclean.com file; the engine will start. The Sysclean package:
- terminates all malware instances in memory
- removes malware registry entries
- removes malware entries from system files
- scans for and deletes all malware copies in all local hard drives
The Damage Cleanup Engine will take about an hour, or so, to run.
While you’re at it, you might as well download the latest version of Network Associates’ McAfee Stinger to scan your computer for the 45 newest Trojans and worms. McAfee Stinger 2.3.7 installation instructions are here.
Of course, scanning for viruses using Housecall and Hackercheck, and running the Damage Cleanup Engine does not obviate the need for an effective, always on, antivirus programme. Grisoft continues to offer AVG as an effective, free, antivirus programme for non-commercial users.
