03-30-2013, 03:49 PM | #1 |
Gregg Bell
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Any suggestions for a faster computer scan?
I've got Microsoft Security Essentials and the full scan takes three and a half hours. A MS tech once told me to download Malwarebytes scanner but to make sure to just run the scan and then dis-install the Malwarebytes. Does anybody know if the Malwarebytes scans faster? And I would need the "on-demand" version, right? And could I download that onto a flash drive and would that be sufficient so I wouldn't have to be dis-installing it every time I run a scan? And (last question I promise) if I get the on-demand one for a pen drive, do I want the "portable" version? And (okay, it was the second to last question) does anybody have a link for the exact Malwarebtes one that would fit my needs? Phew! Thanks!
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03-30-2013, 03:59 PM | #2 |
Omnivorous
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You really shouldn't have to do full scans.
1. Don't click on *any* links in email from someone you don't know. 2. Don't click on *any* links on a webpage without having a good idea where it's taking you. 3. Be paranoid. I've *never* had a virus on my Microsoft side in more than nearly 30 years of Windows use. Or.. Install Linux. It'll probably do 95% of what you need and you won't have to worry about your machine being taken over... |
03-30-2013, 05:18 PM | #3 |
Surfin the alpha waves ~~
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The "on demand" version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is a free download. You can then pay to upgrade it to the Pro version -- which I have.
If you stick with the free version you will have to update it (just click the button) before using it (or else you'll be using an out of date database) and then run it manually. There are three levels of scans -- a flash scan (quick, but superficial), a fast scan (the one I run every day), and a full scan. On my computer (XP, with a 500 GB hard drive) a quick scan takes half an hour. A full scan takes several hours -- I run it rarely, and then set it to run overnight. But, with the free version, if you don't specifically run it, it's not running. There is no need to uninstall it. The Pro version does run all the time, in the background, unless you choose to stop it. |
03-30-2013, 06:36 PM | #4 | |
Apprentice Curmudgeon.
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Knowing someone is no guarantee that their email is clean. Our mail server often gives alerts regarding email sent by people who are known to us. I have never had a virus either, (other than those I play with) but I have stopped plenty before they reached one of our systems. |
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03-30-2013, 06:57 PM | #5 |
Guru
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The last time I ran a full scan with Malwarebytes it was 1 hour and 18 minutes. I wouldn't run MBAM instead of an antivirus program. It is meant to work in tandem with antivirus.
Check your antivirus scheduling settings. I know that some have an option to shut down after the scan is finished. Run the scan right before you go to bed and the computer will be off when you wake up. |
03-30-2013, 06:59 PM | #6 |
Wizard
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Malware Bytes doesn't do the same thing as MSE. Both have an excellent reputation for what the do, but they aren't equivalent.
Said said, I agree the only reason to do a full scan is if you suspect there's a problem of some kind. Mots of what gets through MSE will be drive-by web viruses that are most easily gotten rid of with a system restore. After that, do a full scan to find anything system restore missed. Other than that, a quick scan should be fine 99% of the time. |
03-30-2013, 07:35 PM | #7 | ||
Autism Spectrum Disorder
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03-30-2013, 08:03 PM | #8 | |
Guru
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I figure that I'm a bit safer because I don't have Java installed, I almost never let scripts run, and I have a scary totem pole perched atop my case. |
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03-31-2013, 04:14 AM | #9 |
Wizard
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True, our corporate website got hacked not that long ago.
We discovered that when then trying to access some internal website, and having chrome warning about security issue as the domain had been blaklisted. Gmail does a good job in filtering all the mess. For the most part, if you stay away from illegal website, use a firewall, and keep your OS up to date, you're good. I don't use an anti virus anymore. Last time i had trouble, that was because I had forgotten to run windows update on my new windows install. And the record, windows XP own firewall do work. It was the only thing protecting my grand mother's PC. We ran a full scan when realizing that : noting. Last edited by EowynCarter; 03-31-2013 at 04:18 AM. |
03-31-2013, 03:23 PM | #10 | ||||||
Gregg Bell
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thanks all
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03-31-2013, 04:17 PM | #11 |
Wizard
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Linux is an operating system, and there are lots of variants (commonly called distributions or distros - I use Ubuntu) You use it instead of Windows, and for various reasons you're much less likely to get a virus on Linux than on Windows.
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03-31-2013, 04:30 PM | #12 | |
Wizard
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http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084 should show you how to do a system restore. It can take while, but it's simple. Just be sure you pick a restore point earlier than the infection. |
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03-31-2013, 04:31 PM | #13 |
Wizard
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But note that Windows program don't run under Linux without going to some effort (and many simply won't, no matter what). It's a big step, especially if you're not sure what Linux is.
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03-31-2013, 04:41 PM | #14 | |
Wizard
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How difficult the switch would be largely depends on what programs you currently use, how you use them and how happy you are to using something equivalent. I suspect it's more work than the OP was expecting or wanting, though |
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03-31-2013, 04:50 PM | #15 |
Grand Master of Flowers
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