Question re: Malicious Software Removal Tool

[Michael T.]

I have been running the Malicious Software Removal Tool since it was
introduced.

However recently in an effort to address some performance issues I disabled
it.

I am running WinXP Home SP3.

As a software engineer I am well aware of the possible risk of disabling any
application intended to protect my computer.

However, in all honesty I have never observed one instance where this app
detected any 'malicious' software. Perhaps it is because I religiously keep
WinXP, McAfee and the HOSTS file updated. I also run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware on
a regular basis.

As I stated, I have been running this tool for multiple years. I also never
disable my McAfee firewall and I have a wireless connection with another
firewall layer,

So I am posting here to ask others what is their experience with this tool.
What kind of malicious software have you seen it detect?

I have used Microsoft applications and s/w development tools since the 1980s
and am a huge fan. But frankly, I am a bit puzzled as to why I need to keep
this tool on my computer.

 

[Nate Grossman]

I have used Microsoft applications and s/w development tools since the 1980s
and am a huge fan. But frankly, I am a bit puzzled as to why I need to keep
this tool on my computer.

Leave it be. When a new one shows up in Windows Update, it will be
run during the update process.

In the meantime, keep up with your regular protection and you can stop
using the Malicious Software Removal Tool as if it were a stand-alone
app.

 

[Tom Willett]

What do you mean, disabled it? It runs once at the update download.

:I have been running the Malicious Software Removal Tool since it was
: introduced.
:
: However recently in an effort to address some performance issues I
disabled
: it.
:
: I am running WinXP Home SP3.
:
: As a software engineer I am well aware of the possible risk of disabling
any
: application intended to protect my computer.
:
: However, in all honesty I have never observed one instance where this app
: detected any 'malicious' software. Perhaps it is because I religiously
keep
: WinXP, McAfee and the HOSTS file updated. I also run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware
on
: a regular basis.
:
: As I stated, I have been running this tool for multiple years. I also
never
: disable my McAfee firewall and I have a wireless connection with another
: firewall layer,
:
: So I am posting here to ask others what is their experience with this
tool.
: What kind of malicious software have you seen it detect?
:
: I have used Microsoft applications and s/w development tools since the
1980s
: and am a huge fan. But frankly, I am a bit puzzled as to why I need to
keep
: this tool on my computer.
:
:

 

[Unknown]

You can download store it and run it at any time.

 

[Michael T.]

The primary purpose of this program is NOT the detection of 'malicious'
software.
It is a malicious software removal tool.

I appreciate any and all feedback.

But my issue has nothing to do with why, or how, I disabled it - or what its
purpose is.

My issue is I simply wanted to know if anyone had ever seen this tool detect
anything.

I have run it many times over the years and all I have ever seen is "No
malicious software was detected."

As I tried to suggest in my original post, this is not a criticism of this
app. I was just curious if anyone else had seen it detect anything.

Sorry for any confusion my post may have caused.

 

[Unknown]

Your system has to be infected before you will notice anything. This is NOT
a virus or malicious
software detection tool. It is a malware removal tool.
When a known malware is discovered, Microsoft will change this tool so that
it will remove the malware if you run it. . That is why it is updated often.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

You cannot disable MSRT but you can choose not to download/run it every
month.

Better to download/run it every month and find that it doesn't detect
anything than the other way around, Michael. While your McAfee app and
Ad-Aware probably don't detect anything either, you haven't stopped using
them, have you?

PS: Quite often the MSRT will detect a Bad Guy that your other apps miss.

 

[Twayne]

You cannot disable MSRT but you can choose not to download/run it
every month.

Better to download/run it every month and find that it doesn't detect
anything than the other way around, Michael. While your McAfee app
and Ad-Aware probably don't detect anything either, you haven't
stopped using them, have you?

PS: Quite often the MSRT will detect a Bad Guy that your other apps
miss.

It is also not for "general" malware; it is for Microsoft-affecting
malware. It doesn't do anything for non-MS ware.

Twayne

 

[Michael T.]

Better to download/run it every month and find that it doesn't detect
anything than the other way around, Michael. While your McAfee app and
Ad-Aware probably don't detect anything either, you haven't stopped using
them, have you?

PS: Quite often the MSRT will detect a Bad Guy that your other apps miss.

I see your point Robear - and it is well taken.

Actually both McAfee and Ad-Aware have detected 'stuff' in recent months (if
not weeks). But as I have said ad nauseam I have never seen MSRT detect
anything malicious.

It appears from reading this thread that one could infer that others seem to
rarely see MSRT detect anything either. At least I do not recall anyone
posting an example.

As you stated, that is no reason to stop using it. No argument here.

Thank you for your post.

My sole intent was to see if others were having similar experiences with
MSRT. It appears they are.

I will quietly go away, as I am happy now.


Michael T.

Senior Software Engineer
Happily using Microsoft products since the IBM PCjr
Yes, I'm really old! (66)

 

[Michael T.]

It is also not for "general" malware; it is for Microsoft-affecting
malware. It doesn't do anything for non-MS ware.

Twayne

I dug a little deeper and the conclusion I have come to is since my McAfee
runs constantly and MSRT runs periodically (e.g. once per month) it appears
McAfee is detecting (and removing) some viruses/worms before MSRT has an
opportunity to detect them.

A good example is the Conflicker worm. As best as I can tell both McAfee and
MSRT test for its presence on your computer.
http://tinyurl.com/moust4

Michael

 

[Janetb]

Michael--

I just wanted to thank you for this thread, as I always wondered about this
tool and found the thread interesting.........

Janet

 

[Bill Sharpe]

I appreciate any and all feedback.

But my issue has nothing to do with why, or how, I disabled it - or what its
purpose is.

My issue is I simply wanted to know if anyone had ever seen this tool detect
anything.

I have run it many times over the years and all I have ever seen is "No
malicious software was detected."

As I tried to suggest in my original post, this is not a criticism of this
app. I was just curious if anyone else had seen it detect anything.

Sorry for any confusion my post may have caused.

I assume that the tool runs once like the update says, but I've never
seen it report anything at all. It would be nice if the tool did say
that it didn't find anything -- that's my criticism of the app.

Bill

 

[Michael T.]

Michael--

I just wanted to thank you for this thread, as I always wondered about
this
tool and found the thread interesting.........

Janet

Thanks Janet.

I learned a few things myself.