You should configure the antivirus software to scan all file types, extensions and formats because you never know how the latest virus or malware may try to disguise itself. Note that some antivirus programs with real-time and on-demand scanners will not scan all types of file extensions and file formats by default. The on-demand scanner, also known as a manual scanner, will not protect the computer in real-time, but can help find malware in selected locations on the local hard-drives. Some antivirus programs call this feature a resident shield, auto-protection, on-access scanning or a background guard. Real-time scanning will help protect your files and the system by monitoring the activity in the background and will automatically quarantine or remove any detected threats.

Most antivirus programs will provide real-time scanning against malware in addition to manual scans that the user can run themselves. I believe it is still in Beta though.Microsoft Safety Scanner - A Free Disposable Virus Scanner for Windows PC

This prevents things like rootkits from hiding from security scanners. This is a program you actually burn to a disc and run outside of Windows. You may also be interested in Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper. And to make sure it is always updated, the program expires after 10 days, forcing you to keep it up to date.įor real time protection, that is a program running all the time on your PC, you should get MSE. If you don't want to have an anti-virus program running full time, you can use this on occasion to ensure your system is not infected.

So now they scan specific files for specific malware. MS found that if a computer was infected, certain OS files were compromised, and updates wouldn't install. Basically MSRT is mostly used when installing Windows Updates. The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software-including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom-and helps remove any infection found. There are actually a few Microsoft Security tools people should know about.

Msert windows