Scan System Without Installing Antivirus

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FAQs

What types of scans can I perform with HouseCall.

With version 7.1, you can perform three types of antivirus scans:

Quick scan targets critical system areas to detect and remove active malware; these scans are designed to focus on active threats and can complete within several minutes. HouseCall 7.1 ensures that there are no active threats by checking running processes and important registry and disk sections. It also checks for malicious browser plug-ins and rootkits.

Full system scan checks all system areas, including all files and folders; these scans take the longest, but are able to check everything on the computer for threats.

Custom scan checks specified folders only; to scan specific files on a computer, select the folder that contains the questionable files.

What is meant by active malware. Does the malware have to be actively engaged in malicious activity at the time of the scan to be detected.

Active malware refers to malicious programs that have been installed on computers and are capable of launching themselves after the computer restarts. These programs typically perform malicious activities, including contacting a command control center, logging keystrokes, copying personal data, and sending spam.

A dormant malware file is typically not considered an active threat, unless it is actually running and has installed.

Why does Trend Micro continue to provide HouseCall as a free service.

Trend Micro has offered the free HouseCall on-demand virus scanning service for more than twelve years. We feel it is important to protect not only paying customers but also the general public.

The threat landscape is changing dramatically, and users are more at risk today than at any time in the past. Threats are harder to detect and harder to clean. HouseCall is a great on-demand security option, whether or not it is used as a supporting scanner with another security solution, because of its strong ability to detect and fix threats.

I see that HouseCall 7.1 downloads an application launcher. What is this.

The standalone application model frees HouseCall from browser dependencies. HouseCall users will not have to worry about browser compatibility issues or having ActiveX or Java enabled. The new model uses a local application launcher to start the main HouseCall application. When starting HouseCall from the landing page, users basically download and start the launcher. They can choose to save the launcher and open it whenever they want to perform a scan.

How large is the launcher and what is its function.

When a user starts HouseCall 7.1 for the first time, a small executable 1.4MB is downloaded. This launcher application runs locally and manages the download of local scanning components, such as the scan engine, configuration files, and pattern files. On subsequent scans, the launcher checks for existing scanning components and downloads them only when they are outdated.

If you save a local copy of the launcher, you can use it to open HouseCall anytime.

Does HouseCall expire.

Because HouseCall 7.1 uses our latest technologies, we are anticipating frequent updates. To help ensure that users have the latest version, HouseCall will check for a new version every time it is used. If a new version is available you will be directed to visit the HouseCall landing page and download the latest version.

I placed some files with known malware in a folder and started scanning. Why was HouseCall unable to detect some of the threats.

To speed up scans, HouseCall performs quick scans by default. It focuses on key system areas to address active threats and reduce the total scan time. Manually copying infected files leaves inactive copies of threats and does not simulate real-world infections. Real malware programs drop copies into key folders and take advantage of system settings to autostart and operate effectively.

To check a specific folder for threats, whether or not they are active threats, run a custom scan and specify the folder.

What change has resulted in the reduced average scan time of less than 15 minutes.

By default, HouseCall 7.1 performs a quick scan, which can identify and scan areas that are most likely to contain active threats. By looking only at critical areas of the computer, HouseCall 7.1 reduces total scan times from hours to minutes, but is still very effective at fixing infections.

What types of threats can HouseCall 7.1 detect. Can it detect web threats.

HouseCall 7.1 detects active malware and spyware, or basically file-based threats. It can detect web threats that have already been downloaded to infected machines. However, HouseCall 7.1 does not support malicious URL blocking, which can proactively protect against web threats.

Does HouseCall 7.1 replace real-time Internet security solutions.

HouseCall 7.1 provides an easy, on-demand check for active viruses and other malware. It complements, but is not a substitute for, existing security software that provides proactive protection and continuously scans and monitors for threats.

For always-on real-time protection, Trend Micro recommends that users install Internet security software, such as Trend Micro Maximum Security, which provides the most comprehensive protection available for your personal and financial information whether you are at home or on the road.

Which languages will the HouseCall 7.1 version support.

Initially HouseCall 7.1 will be available in English only. Regional language support of HouseCall 7.1 may be offered depending on requirements.

How to Scan Your Computer With Multiple Antivirus Programs

You should only run a single antivirus application at a time, but none of them are perfect. Some antiviruses may catch malware that other antiviruses miss. Luckily, you don t just have to rely on a single antivirus program.

The key to using multiple antivirus programs is running a single antivirus as your main background protection and running another scanner occasionally – say, once a week – for a second opinion.

If you have a suspicious file, you can also quickly scan it with in 46 different antivirus programs at once using a website.

Why You Shouldn t Run Multiple Antivirus Programs At Once

Most antivirus programs are designed to be the single security solution for your computer. The antivirus has a background, always-on scanning feature that s enabled by default. When you download a file, load a program, or access a website, the antivirus keeps an eye on everything and ensures it doesn t match a known threat.

This works fine as long as you only have a single antivirus running at a time. These programs hook deep into your Windows operating system and are not designed to work together. In a best case scenario, running multiple antivirus programs at once could result in degraded performance. In a worst case scenario, the programs could interfere with each other and cause system crashes.

Read More: HTG Explains: How Antivirus Software Works

How You Can Scan Your Computer With Multiple Antivirus Programs

However, no antivirus program is perfect. Some antivirus programs may miss problems other antivirus programs will detect. To get more complete detection coverage, you may want to scan your computer with additional antivirus programs while leaving a single antivirus program – such as Microsoft Security Essentials known as Windows Defender in Windows 8 running in the background.

The additional antivirus programs you ll use won t stay running in the background. They ll scan your computer once and give you a second opinion. You can load up the additional programs and scan your computer once a week with them. While running the manual scanner, you should consider disabling real-time protection in your primary antivirus program – if only to speed things up.

When you select an additional antivirus program, look for one that doesn t stay running in the background – this feature is referred to by many names, such as real-time protection, on-access scanning, background protection, or resident shield.

There are several options for second-opinion scanning, including:

Malwarebytes : The free version must be started for a manual scan and can t run in the background, which is perfect for this use case.

ESET Online Scanner : A quick, one-time scanner from the creators of NOD32. Unlike many online-scanning products from antivirus companies, ESET Online Scanner includes the ability to remove malware it finds.

When looking for a second-opinion antivirus, try to avoid the more lightweight options. Some products, such as Bitdefender QuickScan, may do a very quick scan that won t necessarily find some malware. Bitdefender QuickScan and other products like it don t remove malware they find, either – they exist to point you towards the company s paid product.

Scanning a File With Many Antivirus Programs

If you have a suspicious file – perhaps you just downloaded it and are a bit worried or your antivirus says it s malicious but the creator insists that your antivirus is offering up a false positive and the file is actually completely safe – you may want to scan that specific file with a variety of different antivirus programs.

Unfortunately, this can be difficult when you don t have twenty different antivirus engines on your computer. Even if you did, updating each with the latest virus definitions would be way too much work.

When you need to scan a suspicious file in multiple antivirus programs, use the VirusTotal website – now owned by Google. You can upload files up to 32MB in size or even point VirusTotal at a URL online where it can download a file to analyze. The file will be scanned by 46 different antivirus programs on VirusTotal s servers and you ll see a report.

As with all antivirus programs, there s no guarantee that the results are perfect. A file could be considered clean by every antivirus program but still be malicious. It s also theoretically possible although very unlikely that a false positive could be marked as such by many different antiviruses. However, in practice, VirusTotal will tell you what a wide variety of antivirus programs think of a file, which can help you make a more informed decision about it.

Chris Hoffman is a technology writer and all-around computer geek. He s as at home using the Linux terminal as he is digging into the Windows registry. Connect with him on Google .

Published 01/16/13.

HouseCall is a free virus scanner offered by Trend Micro, which checks whether a computer has been infected by viruses, spyware, or other malware. HouseCall.

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Jan 16, 2013  Why You Shouldn t Run Multiple Antivirus Programs At Once. Most antivirus programs are designed to be the single security solution for your computer.

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