Win XP SP2, virus protection question

[George]

I installed WinXP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) and accepted *ON* for virus
protection. Which is true?

a) If my PC didn't have ANY anti-virus software, WinXP has it's own and
would use that. (But how would it get virus pattern "updates"?)

b) Since my PC has McAfee VirusScan Online ($29/year, has auto-updates from
McAfee), and WinXP SP2 defaults to "ON", it will see the McAfee and put that
as the default, especially since if it didn't select McAfee in this case...
there ISN'T any other anti-virus ware on the PC...so it has to select
something if I select "ON".

c) something else _______

Thanks,
George

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I installed WinXP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) and accepted *ON* for
virus
protection. Which is true?

a) If my PC didn't have ANY anti-virus software, WinXP has it's
own
and would use that. (But how would it get virus pattern
"updates"?)

Windows XP has *no* buit-in anti-virus software, with or without
SP2.

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
I installed WinXP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) and accepted
*ON* for virus protection. Which is true?

What was the exact text and where was it? I remember it
asking about auto updates but I don't remember anything
about virus scanning.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

George;
There is no anti virus software as part of Windows XP, with or without
SP-2.
You need to provide your own.
The Security Center monitors your AV software and may tell you if it
is out of date.
The monitoring only occurs it the AV company has made the necessary
updates.

 

[David Elders]

Try these:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/guidance/avdind_0.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wscintro.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wscfwav.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wscau.mspx

David

 

[George]

Thanks, another concise answer, that's what I was looking for...bottom line
is... WinXP itself has NO anti-virus software.

I was also wondering, however, what idea was behind including this "Virus
Protection" category in the WinXP security setttings... is the idea just to
sort of have a panel (anti-virus, firewall, Win autoupdates, etc.) with red
(bad) or green (good) lights that let you see your STATUS? And to let you
switch something "ON" or "OFF"?. (I'm assuming there'd never be any reason
to switch McAfee OFF from here, right?

After installing SP-2, I don't know how McAfee got in the description under
"virus protection" but I'm assuming WinXP looks for the presence of
something and just sort of "shows" it in this window... is that the idea?

Thanks,
George

 

[Rock]

Thanks, another concise answer, that's what I was looking for...bottom line
is... WinXP itself has NO anti-virus software.

I was also wondering, however, what idea was behind including this "Virus
Protection" category in the WinXP security setttings... is the idea just to
sort of have a panel (anti-virus, firewall, Win autoupdates, etc.) with red
(bad) or green (good) lights that let you see your STATUS? And to let you
switch something "ON" or "OFF"?. (I'm assuming there'd never be any reason
to switch McAfee OFF from here, right?

After installing SP-2, I don't know how McAfee got in the description under
"virus protection" but I'm assuming WinXP looks for the presence of
something and just sort of "shows" it in this window... is that the idea?

Thanks,
George

The purpose is exactly as you describe it. The security center is a nag
for those that don't take the time time monitor these important functions.

 

[George]

Jupiter, what's your recommendation for anti-spyware?

-There are the two pioneers Spybot and Adaware (right?), now there's also
McAfee and I think a Norton version. And I think some of these come in
personal and professional versions... what would you use?

-Can't I get by with just one?

-Are these easy to install and use...or are they like most software packages
where "backup" first is the rule, plus some hickup along the way is not
uncommon. Are there any "watch out for's" when downloading and installing
these. Or any "always set this or that's" post-installation?

-Also, does anti-spyware require constant updating the same way as
anti-virus does? Is it automatic, like McAfee (it just "notifies" me an
update has been installed)

Thanks again,
George

 

[Rock]

Jupiter, what's your recommendation for anti-spyware?

-There are the two pioneers Spybot and Adaware (right?), now there's also
McAfee and I think a Norton version. And I think some of these come in
personal and professional versions... what would you use?

-Can't I get by with just one?

-Are these easy to install and use...or are they like most software packages
where "backup" first is the rule, plus some hickup along the way is not
uncommon. Are there any "watch out for's" when downloading and installing
these. Or any "always set this or that's" post-installation?

-Also, does anti-spyware require constant updating the same way as
anti-virus does? Is it automatic, like McAfee (it just "notifies" me an
update has been installed)

Thanks again,
George

You don't need to pay for spyware removal programs. There are several
free ones that do the job. Generally it takes a combination of
programs. It's wise to use several AV checkers to, the online ones used
periodically with your regular AV program. No single spyware program
does it all. They do need to be updated before using because there are
regular updates to the definition files as new nasties are incorporated.
For the free ones you will need to do the updates manually.

Good sites with info on Viruses and Parasites
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.spywareinfo.com
Richard Harper’s Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

Run these programs to check for spyware/malware. After installing
update them, then boot into safe mode and run them. You should update
and run them weekly.

Cwshredder
www.cwshredder.net

Ad-aware SE
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10247783.html

Pest Patrol Free Pest Scanner
http://www.pestscan.com/ScanOrTrial.asp

If you’re still having problems after running these then run HijackThis
and post the log to one of the specialty forums, _NOT_ this one.

HijackThis
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155

Forums to Interpret HijackThis Logs:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/

After your system is clean use these programs to help keep it clean:

Spywareblaster
www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Spywareguard
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownload.html

IE-SPYAD
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm

For viruses, start with Trend Micro’s Sysclean. Download it and the
signature file. Turn off system restore, boot into safe mode and run
sysclean. Boot back into normal mode and run a full AV scan with your
normal AV program. Then turn system restore back on.

Trend Micro Sysclean
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp

Trend Micro Signature File
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

You should also regularly run at least two of these online scans in
addition to your regular up to date AV program:

Online and Downloadable Virus Scanning:

Panda ActiveScan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Bit Defender Online Virus Scan:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

Symantec Online Virus and Security Scan:
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp

TrendMicro:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

McAfee Online Virus Scan:
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

RAV AntiVirus - Scan Online
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/

F-Secure:
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Jupiter, what's your recommendation for anti-spyware?

-There are the two pioneers Spybot and Adaware (right?), now
there's
also McAfee and I think a Norton version. And I think some of
these
come in personal and professional versions... what would you
use?

-Can't I get by with just one?

Just "getting by" is dangerous. None of these is perfect, and
each finds things the others don't. Using several decreases the
risk substantially.

I use six:

Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
Ad-aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
IE-Spyad
CWshredder

 

[Alex Nichol]

I installed WinXP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) and accepted *ON* for virus
protection. Which is true?

a) If my PC didn't have ANY anti-virus software, WinXP has it's own and
would use that. (But how would it get virus pattern "updates"?)

b) Since my PC has McAfee VirusScan Online ($29/year, has auto-updates from
McAfee), and WinXP SP2 defaults to "ON", it will see the McAfee and put that
as the default, especially since if it didn't select McAfee in this case...

All that controls is whether Windows Security Center looks around for AV
packages and asks them if they are up to date. If it can;'t find one, it
warns you. It depends on the packages answering for the 'up to date' -
I don't know where McAfee stands on that at present

Windows does not provide any AV package of its own