Master Boot Record (MBR) Changes

[billybob]

I'm helping a friend configure her computer and noticed that
in the bios there's a "Master Boot Record Security" feature.
The help indicates "Protects the MBR against viruses and other
corruption".

I haven't totally understood the MBR. When would the
MBR ever be modified? Do backup programs like Ghost
or Partition Magic ever change it?

I'm wondering whether I should enable the bios setting.

TIA

 

[David H. Lipman]

If you use Anti Virus software -- no.

If you don't use Anti Virus software -- yes.


--
Dave




| I'm helping a friend configure her computer and noticed that
| in the bios there's a "Master Boot Record Security" feature.
| The help indicates "Protects the MBR against viruses and other
| corruption".
|
| I haven't totally understood the MBR. When would the
| MBR ever be modified? Do backup programs like Ghost
| or Partition Magic ever change it?
|
| I'm wondering whether I should enable the bios setting.
|
| TIA
|
|

 

[Billybob]

Anybody have any useful advice? I have had situations where I run
an antivirus scan and it indicates that the MBR has changed. In that
I am pretty careful with my system, other than virus', are there any
"normal" situations that the MBR would change?

 

[George Hester]

For her maybe. Yes PM does do stuff to the MBR. Don't know about Ghost.

 

[George Hester]

Oh this is a common occurance of Norton AV software anyway. Don't you just love it when your AV software acts like it is working? Uh...it ain't.