Microsoft Virus Scan?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wayne L
  • Start date Start date
W

Wayne L

I just came across this in Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus

"If your system is a Microsoft product and you have your 20 digit
registration number, you can go to the Microsoft web site, and they will do a
free scan and most likely remove any known virus such as Trojan win32.murlo."

Is this true, and where would I find my 20 digit registration # and what is
the web site? Does anyone know? Thanks, Wayne
 
I was just about to point you there, but you do not need your registration
number for that site.
 
Jesper - Thanks for the additional link, however I have a thrifty nature
and only use "free" remedies. My own link is limited, I know, and probably a
one time shot, if I can get it to load at all. It's very slow. Thanks again,
Wayne
 
occasional scanning is not really enough, you need a GOOD virus program running checking continuously.

I prefer AVG "FREE" from Grisoft.



(e-mail address removed)



I just came across this in Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus

"If your system is a Microsoft product and you have your 20 digit
registration number, you can go to the Microsoft web site, and they will do a
free scan and most likely remove any known virus such as Trojan win32.murlo."

Is this true, and where would I find my 20 digit registration # and what is
the web site? Does anyone know? Thanks, Wayne
 
Wayne I personally don't like OneCare and other than actually beta testing
it I wouldn't use it on my own machine. If you suspect you have viruses you
ether don't have virus software installed or your virus application has
missed the virus.

If you want something 'free' then download either one of these free anti
virus applications. Both are excellent and recommended.

AVG Anti Virus (http://free.grisoft.com)
Avast Anti Virus (www.avast.com)


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
John - Thanks, but I was just taking advantage of a "free" offer. OneCare
never did finish downloading, so I gave up.

I do have Avast and rely on it.

Incidentally, I have tried but have never successfully gotten another AV to
download and operate with my Avast, even though only one was running at any
given time.

I want an extra AV to do occasional scanning, but it doesn't work for me, so
I uninstalled each one. AVG does not work with Avast installed on the same
computer, even when Avast is not running. Thanks, Wayne
 
Wayne, you don't use two anti virus applications on the same machine, simply
because, in most cases they will conflict. You only need one. if you are
happy with Avast then stick with that. Spyware applications are different,
with these applications many suggest that you have two running, but never
two anti virus applications.
On the spyware front I use Windows Defender, simply because it is free. I
recently downloaded Spybot search and Destroy (www.safer-networing.org).
However, when I ran it it didn't find anything, which brought me to the
conclusion that Windows Defender is more than adequate for the job.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

Wayne L said:
John - Thanks, but I was just taking advantage of a "free" offer.
OneCare
never did finish downloading, so I gave up.

I do have Avast and rely on it.

Incidentally, I have tried but have never successfully gotten another AV
to
download and operate with my Avast, even though only one was running at
any
given time.

I want an extra AV to do occasional scanning, but it doesn't work for me,
so
I uninstalled each one. AVG does not work with Avast installed on the same
computer, even when Avast is not running. Thanks, Wayne
Click to expand...
 
John - Thanks again. Yes I've always believed in one AV running at any
given time, but I'm sure I've read in this very discussion group of some
knowledgeable people who have numerous AVs on their machine that are used for
occasional scanning, Perhaps I misread. In any event, I have no virus problem
at the moment, but have in the past, and Avast always came through on a 2nd
scan.

In a few cases I used System Restore when I suspected a virus or spyware.

Like you, I also have Spybot which runs always, along with Defender with no
issues, so I just leave them alone. I don't care that Spybot sometimes pops
up and stops something on my computer with a warning, like System Restore, or
when I change a startup program, but that's a minor annoyance. Thanks again,
Wayne
 
You're welcome

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

Wayne L said:
John - Thanks again. Yes I've always believed in one AV running at any
given time, but I'm sure I've read in this very discussion group of some
knowledgeable people who have numerous AVs on their machine that are used
for
occasional scanning, Perhaps I misread. In any event, I have no virus
problem
at the moment, but have in the past, and Avast always came through on a
2nd
scan.

In a few cases I used System Restore when I suspected a virus or spyware.

Like you, I also have Spybot which runs always, along with Defender with
no
issues, so I just leave them alone. I don't care that Spybot sometimes
pops
up and stops something on my computer with a warning, like System Restore,
or
when I change a startup program, but that's a minor annoyance. Thanks
again,
Wayne
Click to expand...
 
Wayne,

Not AVG, but this one is pretty good and you do not have to install on your
System. All you need is a flash drive. BTW, many other apps can be installed
on the drive as well, Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware and many more.

http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/clamwin_portable

--
All the best,
SG
Wayne L said:
John - Thanks again. Yes I've always believed in one AV running at any
given time, but I'm sure I've read in this very discussion group of some
knowledgeable people who have numerous AVs on their machine that are used
for
occasional scanning, Perhaps I misread. In any event, I have no virus
problem
at the moment, but have in the past, and Avast always came through on a
2nd
scan.

In a few cases I used System Restore when I suspected a virus or spyware.

Like you, I also have Spybot which runs always, along with Defender with
no
issues, so I just leave them alone. I don't care that Spybot sometimes
pops
up and stops something on my computer with a warning, like System Restore,
or
when I change a startup program, but that's a minor annoyance. Thanks
again,
Wayne
Click to expand...
 
You mean that I don't actually have to have the Spyware installed on my
computer but "waiting" on a flash drive to scan my system if I think I got
infected??? Never thought of that and I guess that would help with any
incapability issues? So glad I referred to this forum. I'm learning more
and more about protecting my system. Thanks,

Jerry


wrote:
 
Back
Top