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Thread ID: 98049 2009-03-09 19:20:00 Should you scan all drives? Davoid (6918) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
754983 2009-03-09 19:20:00 Hello,

When running a Spyware/Malware scan, should you select all drives on your system or do you only need to check the C drive? (operating system).
I use MalwareBytes, Spyware Terminator, Super Antispyware and my Eset security suite.

My main drive has 2 partitions C and D, but I also have an E drive and an external drive.

Thanks for any advice,
David
Davoid (6918)
754984 2009-03-09 20:37:00 Short answer - yes scan all drives.

Long answer - It depends what is on the other HDs. If you only dump your holiday pics or other items that you know are safe from malware, there probably is no need for a scan. Dodgy downloaded files may need a scan.

I do a deep thorough scan on Windows, Program Files and a few other folders that could be targets of malware. I skip folders where pics and films are kept since I know they are safe.
Strommer (42)
754985 2009-03-09 20:45:00 Hell yes.
Who knows what they contain?

I've found viruses on peoples USB flash drives too.
pctek (84)
754986 2009-03-09 20:50:00 Scan all drives if you have the time.

Better to be safe than sorry
Blam (54)
754987 2009-03-09 21:19:00 If time is an issue you could use taskmanager to schedule scans while you can sleep. Or you could run a batch file. But yes I would scan all drives other than optical drives. Sweep (90)
754988 2009-03-09 21:25:00 Scanning everything isn't fun if you have 8-500g hdds and a <root> 40g too.

If I start a scan at 10PM it's usually done by 6AM.

I use Spybot and Windows for scans, and if something comes up, I also run HJT to make sure it's gone.
SurferJoe46 (51)
754989 2009-03-09 22:15:00 One the best things is to use a firewall and antivirus so no nasties get on any drive. Oh and be careful about clicking on links and what you download. What are you scanning with Windows? Sweep (90)
754990 2009-03-10 04:15:00 What are you scanning with Windows?

I am sitting behind a physical firewall (Belkin BEFSR41) and I run the Windows firewall . The "Windows" scanner I use is Defender .

I know I get razzed about it, but it's Windows own security for it's own OPSYS, so what the hey!

I don't click on anything without running it through several qualifiers first .

Right click some and run a "Properties" card on them or whatever I feel like .

I even opened a few that I really REALLY wanted by going to the "Way Back Machine" ( . archive . org/index . php" target="_blank">www . archive . org) to see what they have for traffic and them doing it in a VM .

Some pass muster - some don't .
SurferJoe46 (51)
754991 2009-03-11 04:21:00 Thanks all for the replies, I will now scan all drives to play safe. Davoid (6918)
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