Antivirus Scanning outside of OS?

[Ravioli]

One of my hard drives has a virus on it, as soon as i plug it in and get into Windows it starts to **** things up and finally BSOD my computer. Right now i have it disconnected as im only using my C drive. I dont have enough time to scan the drive to stop it before my computer BSODs, so is there any antivirus scanner that i can burn onto a disk and boot from that scans the hard drive before Windows is even started?

 

[Acepilotf14]

You should probably just format.

 

[Asus]

Format would work unless it is in the master boot record or something. Maybe a tool that clears the MBR and writes zeros to the drive.

One of my hard drives has a virus on it, as soon as i plug it in and get into Windows it starts to **** things up and finally BSOD my computer. Right now i have it disconnected as im only using my C drive.

Can you clarify this? You are only using your C drive but the plug-in drive has the virus? Do you have windows on that one instead?

Your AV probably has a boot option but you probably don't have it on disk...right? Could scan the drive from another PC. Over the network or plugging the HDD directly into the PC.
Could grab a AV online that scans from boot if your AV doesn't or you can't get to that function.

I'm sure there are tons of other AVs or tools to do it. I'll search in a sec. I'll edit the post.

 

[Ravioli]

Sorry i should of been more clear.

I have two hard drives, one with Windows on it, and one with just files on it. The ones with files is not an external btw, its internal and uses SATA. If i connect it to the mobo and start the computer and launch windows, it will only last for a few minutes till it bsods, so i cant do a virus scan on it (and the firewall wont detect shit, i have tried plenty of different ones). So im thinking of booting from a CD instead that scans the hd before windows launches.

If i try the boot scan, will it just scan the main HD with windows on it? Or all hard drives?

I refuse to format it, since i have my ENTIRE porn collection on. Loosing it would end up with me shooting myself.

 

[Acepilotf14]

I refuse to format it, since i have my ENTIRE porn collection on. Loosing it would end up with me shooting myself.

l o l

>he doesn't use online databases!

 

[Asus]

You should be able to set which drives to scan (C:, D:, E: etc) with the software. Just find one that does it on reboot. It would do it before windows boots.

Also, the virus might just be looking for that windows install if it installed itself into the registry so you probably could format C and have the virus not act up since the old registry would be gone (along w/part of the virus). If it doesn't need the registry then it might still act up.

 

[Ravioli]

Thx for the advice. I got avast and it has a bootscanner so il try when i wake up tomorrow.

 

[Barney Fife]

I don't like to question and second guess your ability and manhood, but I think you're having a hardware/firmware issue. If as soon as you boot Windows, system blue-screens, I'm gonna have to bet on either driver, firmware, or that particular SATA port.
If you certainly sure that whats causing this is a virus: I'd advice you not to plug the infected drive in the same area where healthy drive/s exist. Like a man with swine flu in a Rush-hour subway; other drives may get infected.
But if you must: unplug infected drive, boot system and backup healthy drive data first somewhere outside the system, plug in the infected drive, boot in safe-mode (If possible,) and back up data in the infected drive outside the system, format both drives and clean-install Windows. Make sure you scan saved data before moving them back to system.

PS. See if you can run AV in safe-mode after you have done the above.


Good Luck.

 

[VirusType2]

Assuming it is malware - you try booting Windows in safe mode? (hold F8 while booting for XP)

You might be able to boot into safe mode ... safely ... and then scan the second drive with your A/V and Anti-Malware programs. SuperAntiSpyware or Spybot are 2 great free malware scanners.


First, install the A/V and A/M software (if they aren't already installed). Then try booting into safe mode with the 2nd drive. If it doesn't BSOD, then you can scan and remove any infections.

 

[huntingbear]

SuperAntispyware yes, Spybot no

also be sure to throw in a Malwarebytes scan too

wtvr you do don't use AVG, i've seen waay too many machines come in with viruses and upon boot i see AVG. free and retail version have failed at stopping viruses.
you know what antivirus i haven't seen on a computer that came in with a virus? Avast, Norton, and Trend Micro.

Kaspersky? seen it McAfee? oh don't get me started. Bitdefender? only once or twice....

i personally am using Vipre and am very happy.

 

[VirusType2]

I personally use Avira anti-virus, SuperAntispyware malware scanner, and Online Armor firewall - all free, and I don't like any others.

Leak-proof firewall, overall best free A/V (I believe), and the best overall free anti-malware solution (I believe). If you have information that states otherwise, let me know.

Of course, if you believe you have an infection, you may need to scan with something else as well, because a/v and a/m programs differ in what they can detect. There is no cure-all, and no "one solution" when it comes to malware. In fact, there is some malware out there that is undetectable by any available solution.

However, the only way you can get any malware on your system with this setup would be human error - running an infected program or malicious script and telling the firewall to 'allow' or 'trust'. (firewall uses program guard).

If a script or program decides it's going to access the internet or your files, windows explorer, key-log, replace files, install, uninstall... do anything that could in any way exhibit a security risk, Online Armor will prompt you and you can deal with it however you want.

It's a little annoying if you don't trust something, because you have to give it specific permissions for everything it does, but nicely, if you personally trust a program, you can simply select 'trust this program always'. Even nicer, is that you can select 'trust' a program, but internet access is a separate trust option. For example, you install software that you trust to work with files on your computer, but can deny it from 'calling home', or anything. It's an extremely powerful solution for a moderate to advanced user, but newbies steer clear.

Unfortunately, the Windows 7 64-bit version of Online Armor is not available yet (their forums state it is being worked on)

 

[Barney Fife]

The best and worst anti-virus out there is YOU! Hand down.

If you carelessly put yourself out there, and so-ever faithful to your AV's So-called "leak-proof:" You will be infected. Just like sharing artillery with others, or walking in the line fire (The Terminator Style,) or like to be a tasting-subject, or love to make-out with the Black Russian, or always in a bin looking for free food, your fate is pretty much sealed, it just matter of when.

Good Luck.

 

[VirusType2]

Barney, I'm an IT professional. I was learning computer programing 26 years ago. I'm untouchable because I know what I'm doing, not because I rely on security software. I had the same installation of Windows for many years - trouble free - despite the fact that I do all kinds of things I probably shouldn't. However, I'm very suspicious and cautious of everything - that's the "human error" part we all have to deal with - the part that you and everyone speaks of, that I also went into great detail on in my post.

Online Armor is complicated, and I clearly stated that it is for advanced users that know what they are doing.

There are some things you can rely on when it comes to security, but many things you can't. I trust the firewall to do its job, the rest is up to me.

The best and worst anti-virus out there is YOU! Hand down.

If you carelessly put yourself out there, and so-ever faithful to your AV's So-called "leak-proof:" You will be infected

You don't even know what it means. An A/V can't be leak proof. I said Online Armor Firewall is leak-proof. It has been proven so. With this firewall, the only way you can get a virus or malware is if you allow it. Nothing goes in or out unless it's been authorized - "leak-proof".

Like I said, therefore it comes down to "human error". Of course, with each new version of the firewall, it would need to be tested again, so I'll put the disclaimer "proven leak proof in past versions".

I'm insulted here, so I suppose I'll go ahead and speak freely. Pretty much every one your posts (since you've decided to return to half-life2) contain a lot of misinformation, but you state them as cold hard facts. You are trying to be helpful, I know, but if you aren't sure about something, then say, "I think...", "I believe/don't believe...", "I'm not sure, but"... or "I always thought..." You see how that clearly states that what you are saying should be researched further? That gives you the freedom to share your tech knowledge, without unintentionally misinforming someone.


If you are particularly suspicious of a file, I would recommend taking it to VirusTotal

VirusTotal is a service that analyzes suspicious files and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, trojans, and all kinds of malware detected by antivirus engines.

Specs:

* Free, independent service
* Use of multiple antivirus engines
* Real-time automatic updates of virus signatures
* Detailed results from each antivirus engine
* Real time global statistics

http://www.virustotal.com/sobre.html

This is a list of the companies that participate in VirusTotal with their antivirus engines.

* AhnLab (V3)
* Antiy Labs (Antiy-AVL)
* Aladdin (eSafe)
* ALWIL (Avast! Antivirus)
* Authentium (Command Antivirus)
* AVG Technologies (AVG)
* Avira (AntiVir)
* Cat Computer Services (Quick Heal)
* ClamAV (ClamAV)
* Comodo (Comodo)
* CA Inc. (Vet)
* Doctor Web, Ltd. (DrWeb)
* Emsi Software GmbH (a-squared)
* Eset Software (ESET NOD32)
* Fortinet (Fortinet)
* FRISK Software (F-Prot)
* F-Secure (F-Secure)
* G DATA Software (GData)
* Hacksoft (The Hacker)
* Hauri (ViRobot)
* Ikarus Software (Ikarus)
* INCA Internet (nProtect)
* K7 Computing (K7AntiVirus)
* Kaspersky Lab (AVP)
* McAfee (VirusScan)
* Microsoft (Malware Protection)
* Norman (Norman Antivirus)
* Panda Security (Panda Platinum)
* PC Tools (PCTools)
* Prevx (Prevx1)
* Rising Antivirus (Rising)
* Secure Computing (SecureWeb)
* BitDefender GmbH (BitDefender)
* Sophos (SAV)
* Sunbelt Software (Antivirus)
* Symantec (Norton Antivirus)
* VirusBlokAda (VBA32)
* Trend Micro (TrendMicro)
* VirusBuster (VirusBuster)

 

[huntingbear]

ouch....burn

i thought he made a good point of saying that you can be the main reason you receive a virus but i'll just stay over here....

 

[Barney Fife]

I would like to apologize to every one for what I about say, and for hijacking thread. but I did not start this.

Barney, I'm an IT professional. I was learning computer programing 26 years ago. I'm untouchable because I know what I'm doing, not because I rely on security software. I had the same installation of Windows for many years - trouble free - despite the fact that I do all kinds of things I probably shouldn't. However, I'm very suspicious and cautious of everything - that's the "human error" part we all have to deal with - the part that you and everyone speaks of, that I also went into great detail on in my post.

I'm insulted here, so I suppose I'll go ahead and speak freely. Pretty much every one your posts (since you've decided to return to half-life2) contain a lot of misinformation, but you state them as cold hard facts. You are trying to be helpful, I know, but if you aren't sure about something, then say, "I think...", "I believe/don't believe...", "I'm not sure, but"... or "I always thought..." You see how that clearly states that what you are saying should be researched further? That gives you the freedom to share your tech knowledge, without unintentionally misinforming someone.

Jesus Christ, Take it easy big-man, I was talking in ****ing general. I don't really care whether your feelings were hurt, cause I wasn't even talking to you, nor have I even mentioned your nick. Just giving advise to those who otherwise knew less. You pretty touchy man with emotions, even your issues have issues that you're acting like a douche today. What the ****?

And when exactly did I leave HL2? I wasn't even aware of that.
You see, I don't go on “blah, blah, blah, blah” running my mouth about every tiny little detail I come across like you, posting so much gibberish. And if that makes you a smart-pants here, well good for you. We all claim something we're not anyways.
But, if you are really an IT Pro, and start coding 26yrs ago, well, you're certainly the first one who claimed to be the "Untouchable." But you know what? Every self-adoring, overconfident metrosexual, I-Got-It-All-figured-out “Untouchable” like you out there has been touched, and touched pretty hard.

This Leak-Proof bullshit was started by a guy named Steve Gibson, for bragging/profit purpose. Firewalls aren't always, and at all time “leak-proof” if someone told you that, they lie. Because no firewall is leak-proof simply because of the user elements (My Original Point), and the necessary services always prone for exploitations. And as far as “Leak-Proof” is concerned, your simple router firewall mostly likely will do a better job than your fancy-named “Online Armor.” Check it out.
As an “IT Pro for 26yrs” like yourself would know, a total “Leak Proof” will mean a total lockdown. Right? But as long as you have one of those thousands of ports listening, hackers will have a way to manipulate one of your services, which innocently happen to have permission, simply like IE, FF, P2P, Etc. Hackers are always a step, or two ahead of vendors (Otherwise they'd be out of business) and that is why you and I are always being updated. (Of course they taught you that 26yrs ago. Or, you were an air-head then?)

As far as bullshitting in my part to others goes. I don't know what you mean by that. I give advice to others, and I make sure I know what I'm talking about, if I'm corrected I will stand and take it on the chin. If I don't know what the answer is or cannot guess, or even don't feel like posting, then I let others help and I get out of the way, that is why we both joined HL2.net at 05, I have 1800 posts, and you 14000, so obviously... Never mind.

Advice of the day: We should avoid each other from now on. Deal?

ouch....burn

I know, I know...It burns!!!

i'll just stay over here....

lol Good Idea...This is a Bar-fight. Watch out for flying chair.

 

[huntingbear]

*in Mortal Kombat announcer's voice*

FIGHT!

 

[VirusType2]

If the security didn't really make a big difference, we'd all be using Internet Explorer 6 and Windows firewall. So did you have a problem with me recommending tried and tested (and free) security software to protect himself, and specific measures to deal with malware? Is that actually a bad idea in your mind?

Maybe you think your advice was more helpful "if you believe that you won't get infected, then you most certainly will!". "If you don't knock on wood when you 'tempt fate', it will come true!"

I think 80% of the users on the internet know that the best protection is ourselves - I don't think Ravioli somehow missed that one.

I'm sure your first PC was probably actually made by IBM, but whether that means you have useful experience depends on the situation.

I praised the security for being, in my opinion, the best free solution available, but also said that it's up to the user to be the real defense. So is that something you disagree with?

I think you just wanted to act like you know better than everyone else again (whether you actually do or not doesn't seem to be important). Can you knock that off, then I'll leave you alone.

"IT Pro for 26 years". Aren't you like 50? Please, you need to grow up.

 

[Barney Fife]

Wow man! There's Something wrong with you. :|

 

[VirusType2]

Actually, no. I've been thinking, and I like you better already. Seriously.

Maybe we should argue some more, otherwise we'll be holding back for a while. I don't think we'll get along.

You shook out the crazies and posted a good coherent post - spell checker and everything. I like that. Makes you seem less retarded. Your spelling is so bad that the spell checker doesn't even know what some of those words could be. Come on, admit it. : D

I guess this place is just getting to me or something. I started to get annoyed with your avatar, your name, your signature "Good Luck." But really I don't even know you at all, I just know some letters on a screen. You're probably an alright guy in person. I guess I probably owe you a beer, man. Seriously, like a real one.


Are you sure you didn't stop posting for like at least a year? Sure you are still sane? (You look fairly crazy). Because I remember you just started posting again out of the blue. I certainly wouldn't forget a guy who actually types "Good Luck" at the end of all his posts. (I'm just ****ing with you, it's pretty cool, I guess)

And to your username. Just wondering why you named yourself after a TV character who was a goofy idiot. I think that's probably where I got the perception of you, all the way back to 2005 when I joined here. Is that your favorite show or something? Like you were there huh, back when TV was black and white. So, I hear ya, that's like nothing better than the shit you liked as a kid.

Alright, so that will do it. I feel better getting rid of the bullshit that people use when they speak to each other. I don't think I'm going to say anything but what I think and how I feel on every social occasion from now on. I never meant any disrespect, man, everyone is ****ed up in different ways.

If you want to get a beer (or twenty-four) and get completely shit-faced, get in a fist fight, smoke some reefer, insult each other from here on out, it's cool. I like all of those options.

 

[Barney Fife]

I guess this place is just getting to me or something. I started to get annoyed with your avatar, your name, your signature "Good Luck." But really I don't even know you at all, I just know some letters on a screen. You're probably an alright guy in person. I guess I probably owe you a beer, man. Seriously, like a real one.

Maybe, just maybe, it is that time for you to get off the Net and go outside for some vitamin D, and a girlfriend? Any place will get to you when you make a life out of it. For instance: Writing eight posts a day can lead you to become Autophobia. At first, sufferers become to self-hate, then their friends, and finally, total strangers like myself. You should be checked out. I'm serious.

Are you sure you didn't stop posting for like at least a year?

So, you keep track of me? Seriously, I didn't know I had a fan here. Unlike you, I'm not compelled to write and reply to every post I come across; I have a life. I like to help others on my spare time. If I have been gone for a year is because I was making life. You should do the same.

I feel better getting rid of the bullshit that people use when they speak to each other. I don't think I'm going to say anything but what I think and how I feel on every social occasion from now on. I never meant any disrespect, man, everyone is ****ed up in different ways.

So in other words, you're a dipshit? Nice to meet you. I agree “Everyone is ****edup different ways” but you're ****edup all the way. Autophobia?

If you want to get a beer (or twenty-four) and get completely shit-faced, get in a fist fight, smoke some reefer, insult each other from here on out, it's cool. I like all of those options.

No, this is in conclusion.

Good Luck.

 

[Vegeta897]

Maybe, just maybe, it is that time for you to get off the Net and go outside for some vitamin D, and a girlfriend?

lol'd

Really is the best way to insult someone on hl2.net

 

[Ravioli]

i like where this thread went lol

Vegeta, i was sitting in my dads car today and your avatar randomly popped up in my mind, wiggling back and forth. It made me giggle to which my dad said "whats so funny" and i responded "Nothing, you wouldnt understand"

As for the virus scan, ima wait until im done downloading my current torrentz and back everything up. Dont want this drive to get infected too (already formated 9999 times in a row).

 

[Barney Fife]

i like where this thread went lol

Ravioli, Sorry about this.

 

[VirusType2]

Awww, I see you're still butthurt. That's too bad. Oh well.

Autophobia. At first, sufferers become to self-hate, then their friends, and finally, total strangers like myself. You should be checked out.

Because I find you annoying, I must be a self-hating jew? Thank you Dr. Hiemlick.

The resemblance is uncanny. Now all you need is the Nazi tatoo on your forehead to complete your Charles Manson insane look.

Good Luck.