malicious software removal tool... what is it?

[Pdigmking]

I notice that the monthly MS update always includes something called a
malicious software removal tool. Is this something that runs
automatically, sweeps the system, or is it something that I have to run. I
use norton as an anti virus and zone alarm for a firewall, and and I also
have several anti spyware stuff. I guess my question is- is the msrt part
of the XP SP2 security module, and if so is it running even if I have most
of the XP security stuff turned off? Or is msrt a system deal that runs in
the background anyways? Is is automatic or do I have to run it?

TIA

Paul

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Pdigmking" <[email protected]>

| I notice that the monthly MS update always includes something called a
| malicious software removal tool. Is this something that runs
| automatically, sweeps the system, or is it something that I have to run. I
| use norton as an anti virus and zone alarm for a firewall, and and I also
| have several anti spyware stuff. I guess my question is- is the msrt part
| of the XP SP2 security module, and if so is it running even if I have most
| of the XP security stuff turned off? Or is msrt a system deal that runs in
| the background anyways? Is is automatic or do I have to run it?
|
| TIA
|
| Paul

It is an On Demand anti virus scanner built to scan for a limited set of infectors.

A new version is available monthly and is executed when you choose to install it or you can
run it manually.

The utility is...
%windir%\system32\MRT.exe

Command line switches...

/? or /HELP = displays the command line switches
/Q = quiet
/N = detect only
/F = force extended scan
/F:Y = force extended scan and automatically clean infected files

The following is the resultant log file...

%windir%\Debug\mrt.log

 

[Pdigmking]

It is an On Demand anti virus scanner built to scan for a limited set
of infectors.

A new version is available monthly and is executed when you choose to
install it or you can run it manually.
(snip)

OK, so it runs autmatically when I install it? I always install it.

Thanks Dave,

Paul.