Question on Multi-AV program

[eapplegate]

I know that the Multi-AV program contains scanning engines and definitions
for four different AV programs. My question is the same one I have for
Avast and AVG. Will the other 4 delete a virus it finds, since according
to Symantec, there could be numerous references to it in many registry
keys. Does Multi-AV (along with Avast and AVG's AV programs) actually
remove all registry references in addition to the exe file or dll found on
the hard drive?

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: <[email protected]>

| I know that the Multi-AV program contains scanning engines and definitions
| for four different AV programs. My question is the same one I have for
| Avast and AVG. Will the other 4 delete a virus it finds, since according
| to Symantec, there could be numerous references to it in many registry
| keys. Does Multi-AV (along with Avast and AVG's AV programs) actually
| remove all registry references in addition to the exe file or dll found on
| the hard drive?

The AV scanners in teh Multi AV Scanning Tool will remove infected files using the
abilities built into each scanner.

Symantec has problems in the area of cleaing the Registry of modifications. Based upon a
techical support page I read, but don't have the URL for, Symantec/Norton AV does not
correct the Registry

To what extent the Avast, AVG, McAfee, Sophos, Trend Micro and Kaspersky utilities do is
hard to define.

The Kaspersky module is a pure DOS scanner and I don't believ it corrects changes to the
Registry.

The Sophos and McAfee modules do but I don't know to what extent they do.

I don't know if Trend Micro's Syclean utility does. I'll have to ask that of my liason at
Trend Micro.

I have no idea about AVG and Avast abilities in this area.

Sorry if I can't be more conclusive in my reply.

 

[eapplegate]

From: <[email protected]>

| I know that the Multi-AV program contains scanning engines and
| definitions for four different AV programs. My question is the same
| one I have for Avast and AVG. Will the other 4 delete a virus it
| finds, since according to Symantec, there could be numerous
| references to it in many registry keys. Does Multi-AV (along with
| Avast and AVG's AV programs) actually remove all registry references
| in addition to the exe file or dll found on the hard drive?

The AV scanners in teh Multi AV Scanning Tool will remove infected
files using the abilities built into each scanner.

Symantec has problems in the area of cleaing the Registry of
modifications. Based upon a techical support page I read, but don't
have the URL for, Symantec/Norton AV does not correct the Registry

To what extent the Avast, AVG, McAfee, Sophos, Trend Micro and
Kaspersky utilities do is hard to define.

The Kaspersky module is a pure DOS scanner and I don't believ it
corrects changes to the Registry.

The Sophos and McAfee modules do but I don't know to what extent they
do.

I don't know if Trend Micro's Syclean utility does. I'll have to ask
that of my liason at Trend Micro.

I have no idea about AVG and Avast abilities in this area.

Sorry if I can't be more conclusive in my reply.

No, you provided some interesting information. Symantec provides these
detailed sheets on each virus, yet who knows if they really clean all the
offending registry keys out of the system. We know that most software
manufacturers don't provide an uninstall program that really wipes the
registry clean of all traces of their product.

What I find interesting about the Avast scanning engine is that if it
finds a file that may be a trojan virus (or some other), it asks if you
want to move it to the chest. What about one's registry and all the
possible damage that virus may have done in regard to modifying keys?

This just indicates to me that the only real solution is creating an disk
image after loading the OS and initial programs like the office suite,
browsers, and e-mail program. Then about once a year, restore a fresh
backup of that image. If only Microsoft would make it easy and point to
a file that includes all the latest upgrades to an OS release in one exe
file.

 

[Ian Kenefick]

I don't know if Trend Micro's Syclean utility does. I'll have to ask that of my liason at
Trend Micro.

Damage Control Template does repair virus damage. This I know for
sure.