Antivirus stand-alone scanner only?

[M0RPH]

I don't like to use real-time antivirus programs that suck up system resources. I do like to be able to scan files that I download if I don't trust them. Is there a good standalone antivirus scanner that I can use for scanning files that I select with an explorer context menu command and for full system scans? Also, it should be capable of scanning archive files like .zip. Thanks.

 

[mechBgon]

How about TrendMicro Housecall online scanner?

Bigger picture: if you're driving 150mph, it would be smart to wear your seatbelt and crash helmet all the time. If you see what I'm saying.

 

[KoolDrew]

Why not just use whatever anti-virus you prefer, but disable the real-time protection?

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
How about TrendMicro Housecall online scanner?

Bigger picture: if you're driving 150mph, it would be smart to wear your seatbelt and crash helmet all the time. If you see what I'm saying.

I simply can't justify using up system resources running antivirus software when the fact is I've never, ever gotten a computer virus. It's just a matter of being smart about what you download and run.

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Why not just use whatever anti-virus you prefer, but disable the real-time protection?

Because I prefer not installing things that I'm not going to use.

I found Bitdefender 8 Free Edition and it seems to be what I'm looking for. If anyone knows of a standalone scanner that's better than this one please let me know.

 

[mechBgon]

It's just a matter of being smart about what you download and run.

I wish that were true. Here is some food for thought:

Rootkits are becoming more prevalent Rootkits filter what your antivirus software will be able to detect on those occasions when you do install some to confirm that you're clean. If you don't get the first punch in against one of these, you might indeed have infections, just not ones that will be detectable from within Windows.


2 other goodies for consideration:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=antisource+googkle

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=register+bofra

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: mechBgon
How about TrendMicro Housecall online scanner?

Bigger picture: if you're driving 150mph, it would be smart to wear your seatbelt and crash helmet all the time. If you see what I'm saying.

I simply can't justify using up system resources running antivirus software when the fact is I've never, ever gotten a computer virus. It's just a matter of being smart about what you download and run.

Do you have an old computer? Why are system resources so precious?

 

[okb]

I have a PII 300 and I wouldn't dream of not running my antivirus program in the background. But hey, it's your dime...

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

It's just a matter of being smart about what you download and run.

I wish that were true. Here is some food for thought:

Rootkits are becoming more prevalent Rootkits filter what your antivirus software will be able to detect on those occasions when you do install some to confirm that you're clean. If you don't get the first punch in against one of these, you might indeed have infections, just not ones that will be detectable from within Windows.


2 other goodies for consideration:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=antisource+googkle

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=register+bofra

Viruses need to be executed. Yes, I know there have been browser exploits that allow files to be executed, like those you pointed out, but those holes are patched pretty quickly by Microsoft.

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: igowerf

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: mechBgon
How about TrendMicro Housecall online scanner?

Bigger picture: if you're driving 150mph, it would be smart to wear your seatbelt and crash helmet all the time. If you see what I'm saying.

I simply can't justify using up system resources running antivirus software when the fact is I've never, ever gotten a computer virus. It's just a matter of being smart about what you download and run.

Do you have an old computer? Why are system resources so precious?

No, my computer is up to date. Antivirus programs are doing a lot in the background though and will negatively impact the respnsiveness of your computer. I would have no problem at all running one though if I thought it was necessary. I've been active on the Internet for over 15 years and I've never had a virus. And I do a lot of downloading, especially from Usenet, a place that is supposed to be infamous for things like viruses. Everyone's had it drilled into their heads now that they need an antivirus running at all times. I think that's a good thing for the general masses that don't know any better about executing programs. THat is, the people who will get an email attachment that says RUN_ME and will run it.

 

[mechBgon]

I've been active on the Internet for over 15 years and I've never had a virus.

How do you know that? Let me guess: you occasionally scan, and the scans come up clean. Which might mean your system's actually clean, or might mean that a rootkit is hiding the malware from the antivirus scanner, as it's designed to do. If you're old enough to have been on the Internet for 15 years, maybe you remember the original Star Trek episode The Menagerie. Get my point?

McAfee releases new virus definitions daily (for corporate customers) and on some days there are 30-50+ new viruses and scores or hundreds of enhanced detections. Today (the 6th) was a light one, with "only" 11 new ones and 67 enhanced ones. What that means is that you are not really safeguarding yourself 100% even by scanning stuff. Russian roulette, heard of it? Or maybe I should coin a phrase... Rootkit roulette.

Of course this is always a waste of time with the I'm-too-leet-to-be-infected guys, but I tried

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

I've been active on the Internet for over 15 years and I've never had a virus.

How do you know that? Let me guess: you occasionally scan, and the scans come up clean. Which might mean your system's actually clean, or might mean that a rootkit is hiding the malware from the antivirus scanner, as it's designed to do. If you're old enough to have been on the Internet for 15 years, maybe you remember the original Star Trek episode The Menagerie. Get my point?

McAfee releases new virus definitions daily (for corporate customers) and on some days there are 30-50+ new viruses and scores or hundreds of enhanced detections. Today (the 6th) was a light one, with "only" 11 new ones and 67 enhanced ones. What that means is that you are not really safeguarding yourself 100% even by scanning stuff. Russian roulette, heard of it? Or maybe I should coin a phrase... Rootkit roulette.

Of course this is always a waste of time with the I'm-too-leet-to-be-infected guys, but I tried

It's not about being leet, all it takes is some basic computer savvy and common sense to avoid viruses. And yes, I scan the system regularly and I keep the definitions up to date. I did have Avast running for a few months but I got tired of the increased boot time and the damn thing wanting to run an update every single day, frequently when I'm in the middle of something. Not to mention that it never detected any viruses. When was the last time your antivirus program found a virus?

 

[MrChad]

:roll:

I don't need health insurance, I never get sick.
I don't need car insurance, I never get in accidents.
I don't need to wear a helmet on my motorcycle, I've never crashed.

Suit yourself, but don't come asking us for help when your system stops functioning properly.

 

[mechBgon]

It's not about being leet, all it takes is some basic computer savvy and common sense to avoid viruses.

Yes, such as not downloading and executing piles of junk from Usenet that might contain one of today's (or tomorrow's) 10 new Trojan Horse programs, scanning it using yesterday's definitions, getting a "clean" scan and thinking it's definitely safe.

And yes, I scan the system regularly and I keep the definitions up to date.

I guess you still aren't gripping the concept of a rootkit and why backscanning is not always going to help you.

Not to mention that it never detected any viruses.

See above remark about why backscanning is not going to help you in cases where you let a new as-yet-unknown rootkit in the door along with whatever it is you found on Usenet.

When was the last time your antivirus program found a virus?

With about 85 systems running ~500 machine-hours per day down at the office, funnelling their antivirus/anti-intrusion activity reports into McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator for my viewing pleasure, I can tell you more than you'd care to know about when's the last time :evil: On my own work system, the last time was when I visited another user's page at my ISP and his page contains a script exploit (other than that, it's a nice sane site with family, bicycling, outdoor pics, etc). On my home system, the last attacks were a network worm attack and another script attack that hit me when I was Googling for song lyrics. If I were downloading junk from Usenet or other elevated-risk stuff like illegit P2P, I would undoubtedly have a lot more to report.

Does antivirus slow your computer down, yeah it does. I'll take that tradeoff, versus having my CC number stolen by a keystroke logger, or my game keys stolen, or my system used to send V14gRa Spam to 10,000 people, or my documents encrypted and held for $200 ransom (yes there's malware that literally does this). If you think Avast slows your rig down, you should try VirusScan Enterprise 8.0i (maxed out) for a while *evil laughter*

 

[sourceninja]

clamav is very nice, I highly suggest it if you do not want real time scanning.

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: M0RPH

No, my computer is up to date. Antivirus programs are doing a lot in the background though and will negatively impact the respnsiveness of your computer.

Bitdefender is probably what you want since it doesn't offer realtime protection and it's free. It also has one of the higher detection rates for a free antivirus. I would still suggest an anti-virus that does offer realtime protection though. The impact on your computer isn't noticeable if you use a leaner antivirus like Anti-Vir. I never even had problems with Norton, but people claim it's terrible nowadays.

From my task manager, Anti-Vir is using up a little less than 20MB and it's not sucking up CPU cycles. What do you do on your computer that needs all those precious resources? If you're just downloading off usenet, then you have plenty of resources to run AV software in the background. Unlike most people on this board, I feel wasteful when I'm NOT using up all my computer resources.

 

[MangoTBG]

Originally posted by: igowerf

Originally posted by: M0RPH

No, my computer is up to date. Antivirus programs are doing a lot in the background though and will negatively impact the respnsiveness of your computer.

Bitdefender is probably what you want since it doesn't offer realtime protection and it's free. It also has one of the higher detection rates for a free antivirus.

Corrected.

All you need to know is the Bitdefender free version is all you need. No realtime protection, and top-notch scanning.

 

[KoolDrew]

Just use AntiVir. It uses very little system recourses.

 

[jjones]

I'd recommend using Kaspersky and just disable the real-time protection. It has a great context menu for scanning individual files (including compressed files), folders, drives, whatever.

 

[CarLBanks]

I recommend Avast! It's free for home use and it's very good!