On-demand Scanner

[Wai_Wai]

On-demand Scanner Guide

Introduction
Some people may want to install more than 1 anti-virus program because no single anti-virus program can detect all viruses. A good combination of anti-virus programs can enhance overall detection rates.

It's not a good idea to install additional anti-virus programs, even if you have disabled its real-time protection. They may still cause conflicts (eg loaded driver conflicts). However a few anti-virus porgrams allow you to select what modules to install. Simply install the module of on-demand scan (don't install real-time on-access protection) The producer will take care of the rest, and you are fine.

Some anti-virus producers also offer standalone on-demand scanners for user to downlaod and install. they are also great to backup your on-access real-time (resident) anti-virus programs. More protection, very low risks of conflicts.

List of standalone on-demand scanners
Here's a list of on-demand scanners for you to install in your computer:
Standalone installer:
* Bitdefender 8 http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-1...e-Edition.html (good detection rate, scan and cure, free)
* MicroWorld eScan http://www.mwti.net/products/mwav/mwav.asp (use KAV engine, good detection rate, but scan only, free)
* ArcaMicroScan http://www.arcabit.com/download_prod...=ArcaMicroScan (above-average detection rate, scan and cure, free)
* Dr. Web http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/?lng=en (above-average detection rate, scan and cure, free)
* McAfee AVERT Stinger http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ (watered-down version, limited malware database, not useful; scan and cure, free)
* ClamAV, ClamWin, ClamWin Portable (so-so detection rate, currently this anti-virus program has on-demand scan only, freeware & open source)
** http://www.clamwin.com/
** http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/clamwin_portable
* Any more to add?

Installer with module selection:
* Avira Antivir http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html (good detection rate, but may have many false positives, free for personal use)
* Command AntiVirus http://www.authentium.com/support/updates.asp (shareware)
* Any more to add?

PS: What combination of anti-virus programs do you think is the best and enough to protect you against known and unknown threats?



Standalone on-demand scanner(st) VS online scanner(onl)

• Both will occupy your disk space anyway
• st: scan faster
• st: more flexible (configuration, scan options)
• st: more handy (can scan right on the spot)
• st: most of them offer both scan and cure/removal; onl: few offer both scan and cure/removal. Most are scan only
• st: very low chance of getting conflicts; onl: probably slightly lower than "st"
• st: hardly use more than 1 scan engine; onl: some websites offer scanning individual files with multiple engines
• Any more to add?

st = Standalone on-demand scanner
onl = online scanner

PS: Ouch! My comparison looks like too biased. :blink:
More inputs are welcome. ;D