Defender Quarantine Items listing

[Guest]

I have Windows Vista Home Premium with Windows Defender included.

It has been running for 3 weeks.

When I check Tools, Quarantined Items, there has never been a listing of any
items as having been quarantined.

Is that normal?

 

[Dave M]

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution (that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick it
up."

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005) picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried again. This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one way or
another.

Regards

Stu

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution (that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick it
up."

--

Regards, Dave

I have Windows Vista Home Premium with Windows Defender included.

It has been running for 3 weeks.

When I check Tools, Quarantined Items, there has never been a listing of
any
items as having been quarantined.

Is that normal?

 

[Guest]

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you deactivate all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to download it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such as this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005) picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried again. This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one way or
another.

Regards

Stu

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution (that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick it
up."

 

[Dave M]

Yeap, that's been my experience too... your AV needs to be disabled because
it will probably catch EICAR first, so I copied it into memory,
disconnected from the net, disabled my AV, then created the EICAR file in
the startup folder and BAM... Defender wakes up.

It's a good exercise to both see and understand the process, one that I'd
recommend for every WD user. But as Bill Sanderson would remind us...
having Defender installed does not negate the need for having a Real-Time
Anti-Virus on your system, even though both catch the EICAR file, that
won't always be the case with other nastiness so you do need both an AV and
AS.

You think alarms were going off over EICAR... try installing Adobe
Shockwave... geeesh, I just did... two reboots 'ta boot.

--

Regards, Dave

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy source
and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one way
or
another.

Regards

Stu

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very well,
but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick
it
up."

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

Just to chime in--indeed, you have to turn off antimalware apps to put eicar
into place. Just trying to work with it is a good way to see what
operations are being screened by your protective mechanisms and what are
not.

And it is absolutely safe.

--

Yeap, that's been my experience too... your AV needs to be disabled
because it will probably catch EICAR first, so I copied it into memory,
disconnected from the net, disabled my AV, then created the EICAR file in
the startup folder and BAM... Defender wakes up.

It's a good exercise to both see and understand the process, one that I'd
recommend for every WD user. But as Bill Sanderson would remind us...
having Defender installed does not negate the need for having a Real-Time
Anti-Virus on your system, even though both catch the EICAR file, that
won't always be the case with other nastiness so you do need both an AV
and AS.

You think alarms were going off over EICAR... try installing Adobe
Shockwave... geeesh, I just did... two reboots 'ta boot.

--

Regards, Dave

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy source
and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one way
or
another.

Regards

Stu

:

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very well,
but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick
it
up."

 

[Guest]

Agreed to all you guys. I must learn to persevere with my exploits. If only
to see what Defender looks like when it finds something terminal.

Stu

Just to chime in--indeed, you have to turn off antimalware apps to put eicar
into place. Just trying to work with it is a good way to see what
operations are being screened by your protective mechanisms and what are
not.

And it is absolutely safe.

--

Yeap, that's been my experience too... your AV needs to be disabled
because it will probably catch EICAR first, so I copied it into memory,
disconnected from the net, disabled my AV, then created the EICAR file in
the startup folder and BAM... Defender wakes up.

It's a good exercise to both see and understand the process, one that I'd
recommend for every WD user. But as Bill Sanderson would remind us...
having Defender installed does not negate the need for having a Real-Time
Anti-Virus on your system, even though both catch the EICAR file, that
won't always be the case with other nastiness so you do need both an AV
and AS.

You think alarms were going off over EICAR... try installing Adobe
Shockwave... geeesh, I just did... two reboots 'ta boot.

--

Regards, Dave

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

:

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy source
and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one way
or
another.

Regards

Stu

:

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very well,
but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick
it
up."

 

[Guest]

Hi Tim

If my memory recalls you predominantly use Firefox - right? If so, does that
mean you do not have IE7 installed preferring to leave IE6 as your base
browser? If this is the case. Does IE6 detect the EICAR file? Was just
wondering.

Stu

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you deactivate all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to download it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such as this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005) picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried again. This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one way or
another.

Regards

Stu

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution (that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick it
up."

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

I don't think there is code in either IE version which detects EICAR. It
would only be detected by an antimalware app--all of which are add-ons,
whether from Microsoft or others.

I would strongly recommend that even if you use Firefox as your browser,
you update to IE7 and keep that updated. The browser IS part of the
operating system, and other programs call portions of it--so having IE7 in
place makes you less vulnerable even if you believe you are never using it
except perhaps in going to Windows Update?

--

Hi Tim

If my memory recalls you predominantly use Firefox - right? If so, does
that
mean you do not have IE7 installed preferring to leave IE6 as your base
browser? If this is the case. Does IE6 detect the EICAR file? Was just
wondering.

Stu

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy
source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one
way or
another.

Regards

Stu

:

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very
well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you
can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick
it
up."

 

[Guest]

OK Bill, many thanks for the explanation. Now I understand - not that I`m a
user of Firefox anyway. I have it installed but my default browser is IE7
which, I might add, has given me a niggling problem for some time now. In
spite of this, I still prefer to use it and, of course, keep it updated.
Strangley enough, part of the niggling problem prevents me from using it for
visiting the WU site. Anyway, that is for the IE7 newsgroup. Trouble is, I`ve
never found anything that remotely fits or provides a solution to my problem
with it. Guess its time for a format and startover.

Stu

I don't think there is code in either IE version which detects EICAR. It
would only be detected by an antimalware app--all of which are add-ons,
whether from Microsoft or others.

I would strongly recommend that even if you use Firefox as your browser,
you update to IE7 and keep that updated. The browser IS part of the
operating system, and other programs call portions of it--so having IE7 in
place makes you less vulnerable even if you believe you are never using it
except perhaps in going to Windows Update?

--

Hi Tim

If my memory recalls you predominantly use Firefox - right? If so, does
that
mean you do not have IE7 installed preferring to leave IE6 as your base
browser? If this is the case. Does IE6 detect the EICAR file? Was just
wondering.

Stu

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

:

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy
source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one
way or
another.

Regards

Stu

:

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system, try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now, which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very
well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you
can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also pick
it
up."

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

Do you go to wu, or Microsoft Update?

--

OK Bill, many thanks for the explanation. Now I understand - not that I`m
a
user of Firefox anyway. I have it installed but my default browser is IE7
which, I might add, has given me a niggling problem for some time now. In
spite of this, I still prefer to use it and, of course, keep it updated.
Strangley enough, part of the niggling problem prevents me from using it
for
visiting the WU site. Anyway, that is for the IE7 newsgroup. Trouble is,
I`ve
never found anything that remotely fits or provides a solution to my
problem
with it. Guess its time for a format and startover.

Stu

I don't think there is code in either IE version which detects EICAR. It
would only be detected by an antimalware app--all of which are add-ons,
whether from Microsoft or others.

I would strongly recommend that even if you use Firefox as your browser,
you update to IE7 and keep that updated. The browser IS part of the
operating system, and other programs call portions of it--so having IE7
in
place makes you less vulnerable even if you believe you are never using
it
except perhaps in going to Windows Update?

--

Hi Tim

If my memory recalls you predominantly use Firefox - right? If so, does
that
mean you do not have IE7 installed preferring to leave IE6 as your base
browser? If this is the case. Does IE6 detect the EICAR file? Was just
wondering.

Stu

:

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you
deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect
and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to
download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such
as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

:

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried
again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy
source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one
way or
another.

Regards

Stu

:

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system,
try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now,
which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very
well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the
EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you
can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte
file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV
solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also
pick
it
up."

 

[Guest]

Stu,

Forgive me for not responding earlier. I did not notice your response to my
post till just now (Web based news readers have there draw backs)

Bill Sanderson is, as usual, correct.
There is nothing in IE(6 or 7) that would have caught the test file.
It is the job of your Antivirus software to do this. For testing purposes
many AntiSpy/Adware programs have this detection built in to them as well.

Yes, I still have IE6 installed and it is my "default" browser, thought
most of the time I use FireFox. My job will not allow IE7 to be installed
and I want to not have to deal with both IE versions at the same time. In
addition I have read way too many stories about people having problems with
the IE7.

When it comes out of Public Gamma testing I am sure it will be a fine
product. I myself will not touch it till it can be downloaded as the Delta
(IE7 SP1).

Still, I like a lot of control over my browsers, and practice Super Safe
browsing habits. The added security of IE7, which I have not doubts about,
will be of great benefit to the average user. And remember, even my Firefox
is a Locked down version.

Let me repeat the above, IE7 is a more secure browser than IE6.
My problems with it have nothing to do with security. It's just too flaky
for me right now.

Same goes for Vista, I am sure it is a more secure OS than XP, and when
people are done with the Public testing of it I will get the fixed version,
Vista SP1.

Microsoft has lost a lot of my trust when it comes to the first public
releases of their products.

?
Tim

 

[Guest]

Microsoft Update. The problem isn`t attributed so much to accessing the MU
site as I can do this thru Control Panel for non critical updates. The
Page,Tools and Help buttons do not work without freezing IE7. Problem seemed
to start when I first switched from Windows XP style to Classic view to save
video demands (and hopefully speed things up), on my ageing notebook. Trouble
is, I cannot revert back to test the theory from Desktop>Properties as this
hangs the system also. So I`m wondering if there is some file corruption from
within Windows itself. Having said that IE6 works fine. For me, one of lifes
mysteries.

Stu

Do you go to wu, or Microsoft Update?

--

OK Bill, many thanks for the explanation. Now I understand - not that I`m
a
user of Firefox anyway. I have it installed but my default browser is IE7
which, I might add, has given me a niggling problem for some time now. In
spite of this, I still prefer to use it and, of course, keep it updated.
Strangley enough, part of the niggling problem prevents me from using it
for
visiting the WU site. Anyway, that is for the IE7 newsgroup. Trouble is,
I`ve
never found anything that remotely fits or provides a solution to my
problem
with it. Guess its time for a format and startover.

Stu

I don't think there is code in either IE version which detects EICAR. It
would only be detected by an antimalware app--all of which are add-ons,
whether from Microsoft or others.

I would strongly recommend that even if you use Firefox as your browser,
you update to IE7 and keep that updated. The browser IS part of the
operating system, and other programs call portions of it--so having IE7
in
place makes you less vulnerable even if you believe you are never using
it
except perhaps in going to Windows Update?

--

Hi Tim

If my memory recalls you predominantly use Firefox - right? If so, does
that
mean you do not have IE7 installed preferring to leave IE6 as your base
browser? If this is the case. Does IE6 detect the EICAR file? Was just
wondering.

Stu

:

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you
deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will detect
and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to
download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance such
as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

:

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV 2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried
again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy
source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected one
way or
another.

Regards

Stu

:

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your system,
try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now,
which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions very
well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the
EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so you
can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte
file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV
solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will also
pick
it
up."

 

[Guest]

Hi Tim

No problem on the response. I often post things just before my night duty
and pick up some time the next day. I have to admit you are completely right
about Vista and IE7. Fortunately for me my system won`t handle Vista which is
probably a blessing in disguise. Otherwise I would have most likely had it by
now If I was dependent on my computer as part of my profession I think I
would definately take your view and stay away from both until the bugs have
been thoroughly ironed out. Although it does pain me to say that -
particularly where IE7 is concerned. But, as a home user I do tend to be a
glutton for punishment but do practice safe surfing habits.

Regards

Stu

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

Hmm--I'd look at updating your video driver, maybe. Sometimes, if MU hangs
in scanning your machine, reverting to WU, rebooting, scanning and
downloading, and then going back to MU clears things up. However, your
problem seems not so much the update site or the download mechanisms, but
something local to do with display functionality.

--

Microsoft Update. The problem isn`t attributed so much to accessing the
MU
site as I can do this thru Control Panel for non critical updates. The
Page,Tools and Help buttons do not work without freezing IE7. Problem
seemed
to start when I first switched from Windows XP style to Classic view to
save
video demands (and hopefully speed things up), on my ageing notebook.
Trouble
is, I cannot revert back to test the theory from Desktop>Properties as
this
hangs the system also. So I`m wondering if there is some file corruption
from
within Windows itself. Having said that IE6 works fine. For me, one of
lifes
mysteries.

Stu

Do you go to wu, or Microsoft Update?

--

OK Bill, many thanks for the explanation. Now I understand - not that
I`m
a
user of Firefox anyway. I have it installed but my default browser is
IE7
which, I might add, has given me a niggling problem for some time now.
In
spite of this, I still prefer to use it and, of course, keep it
updated.
Strangley enough, part of the niggling problem prevents me from using
it
for
visiting the WU site. Anyway, that is for the IE7 newsgroup. Trouble
is,
I`ve
never found anything that remotely fits or provides a solution to my
problem
with it. Guess its time for a format and startover.

Stu

:

I don't think there is code in either IE version which detects EICAR.
It
would only be detected by an antimalware app--all of which are
add-ons,
whether from Microsoft or others.

I would strongly recommend that even if you use Firefox as your
browser,
you update to IE7 and keep that updated. The browser IS part of the
operating system, and other programs call portions of it--so having
IE7
in
place makes you less vulnerable even if you believe you are never
using
it
except perhaps in going to Windows Update?

--

Hi Tim

If my memory recalls you predominantly use Firefox - right? If so,
does
that
mean you do not have IE7 installed preferring to leave IE6 as your
base
browser? If this is the case. Does IE6 detect the EICAR file? Was
just
wondering.

Stu

:

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you
deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will
detect
and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to
download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get
the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance
such
as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

:

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV
2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried
again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy
source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along
the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected
one
way or
another.

Regards

Stu

:

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your
system,
try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now,
which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions
very
well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the
EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so
you
can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen
Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte
file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV
solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will
also
pick
it
up."

 

[Guest]

Many thanks for your input Bill. Come to think of it your talk of video
reminds me of a very infrequent bug I have had in the past. On rebooting the
display has become corrupted (sort of fuzzy) on the right side with two mouse
pointers displayed. Another reboot seems to resolve the problem. Perhaps this
could be related - I`ll take a look.

Stu

Hmm--I'd look at updating your video driver, maybe. Sometimes, if MU hangs
in scanning your machine, reverting to WU, rebooting, scanning and
downloading, and then going back to MU clears things up. However, your
problem seems not so much the update site or the download mechanisms, but
something local to do with display functionality.

--

Microsoft Update. The problem isn`t attributed so much to accessing the
MU
site as I can do this thru Control Panel for non critical updates. The
Page,Tools and Help buttons do not work without freezing IE7. Problem
seemed
to start when I first switched from Windows XP style to Classic view to
save
video demands (and hopefully speed things up), on my ageing notebook.
Trouble
is, I cannot revert back to test the theory from Desktop>Properties as
this
hangs the system also. So I`m wondering if there is some file corruption
from
within Windows itself. Having said that IE6 works fine. For me, one of
lifes
mysteries.

Stu

Do you go to wu, or Microsoft Update?

--

OK Bill, many thanks for the explanation. Now I understand - not that
I`m
a
user of Firefox anyway. I have it installed but my default browser is
IE7
which, I might add, has given me a niggling problem for some time now.
In
spite of this, I still prefer to use it and, of course, keep it
updated.
Strangley enough, part of the niggling problem prevents me from using
it
for
visiting the WU site. Anyway, that is for the IE7 newsgroup. Trouble
is,
I`ve
never found anything that remotely fits or provides a solution to my
problem
with it. Guess its time for a format and startover.

Stu

:

I don't think there is code in either IE version which detects EICAR.
It
would only be detected by an antimalware app--all of which are
add-ons,
whether from Microsoft or others.

I would strongly recommend that even if you use Firefox as your
browser,
you update to IE7 and keep that updated. The browser IS part of the
operating system, and other programs call portions of it--so having
IE7
in
place makes you less vulnerable even if you believe you are never
using
it
except perhaps in going to Windows Update?

--

Hi Tim

If my memory recalls you predominantly use Firefox - right? If so,
does
that
mean you do not have IE7 installed preferring to leave IE6 as your
base
browser? If this is the case. Does IE6 detect the EICAR file? Was
just
wondering.

Stu

:

Stu,

Very true.
It is almost impossible to download the test file unless you
deactivate
all
of your protections. Any Malware checker worth its salt will
detect
and
block or clean or quarantine it. That is its purpose. I had to
download
it
to test something once and it was a barrel of laughs trying to get
the
file.
Alarms were going off all over the place.

Turn off EVERYTHING before trying to download this file.
Then turn On the product you want to test first.
Of course you would only do this in a Very Specific Circumstance
such
as
this.
Turn Everything back on after the test.

?
Tim

:

Hi Dave

Sorry to butt in but have you tried to visit that site recently?

I tried downloading the file and sure enough my AV prog (NAV
2005)
picked it
up before anything else. So I disabled auto protect and tried
again.
This
time IE7 warned me the site certificate was from an untrustworthy
source and
I should not continue. As for WD? Never did get far enough along
the
line to
test its integrity <smile> Still, its nice to know I`m protected
one
way or
another.

Regards

Stu

:

That depends on your internet habits... Are you a Safe Surfer?
http://pcpitstop.com/spycheck/safesurfing.asp

If you want to see if Windows Defender is protecting your
system,
try
EICAR
the test file...

From Joe Faulhaber [MSFT]:
"We've had EICAR in our definitions for about two months now,
which
also
means we're not communicating the content of the definitions
very
well, but
that's another issue.

For those of you who want to know what we're talking about, the
EICAR
group
came up with a harmless file detected by antivirus products so
you
can
safely verify the product's working. If you haven't seen
Windows
Defender
detect something, visit http://eicar.org, download the 68 byte
file
eicar.com.txt, and copy it to your startup folder. Your AV
solution
(that
you should be running in addition to Windows Defender) will
also
pick
it
up."