Advice Request Best antivirus for offline computer?

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shmu26

shmu26

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I have an old desktop sitting in a back room, running Windows 7 32 bit, no internet connection over there. It has AVG free, which used to allow installation of definition and program updates offline. No more.

The computer got infected yesterday from a kid's flash drive, I cleaned it up with Kaspersky Rescue Disk.

But the real question is: what kind of AV can I use for a PC without internet connection? I need to be able to install it and update it offline. It's just too much of a schlep to drag the old clunker to the router and hook it up with monitor and keyboard and mouse every time I want to update the definitions.

Or maybe I should just install a USB protection? What do you say?
 
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HarborFront said:
One option is to get a USB WiFi adapter so that the PC can connect to your router wirelessly. You can then install your AV and update the signatures wirelessly
Click to expand...
Technically, it's an option, but I want to keep this computer offline. If I start plugging in an external internet adapter, the kids will learn from my bad example, and it will turn into an online computer before long.
 
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shmu26 said:
Technically, it's an option, but I want to keep this computer offline. If I start plugging in an external internet adapter, the kids will learn from my bad example, and it will turn into an online computer before long.
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Update the AV signatures with the USB WiFi adapter attached. After that just remove it
 
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tweaked avast + MCshield ? :unsure:
disable some craps of avast, keep the file shield only. web shield and behavior shield require the internet

I found kaspersky and norton are not good against USB viruses. kaspersky takes too long to scan a USB but its good heuristics can save the day
avira is supprisingly good due to its good heurictics

install a light AV + MCshield is the best way, IMO. USB is the only way for infection and MCshield can kill them all
 
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Evjl's Rain said:
tweaked avast + MCshield ? :unsure:
disable some craps of avast, keep the file shield only. web shield and behavior shield require the internet

I found kaspersky and norton are not good against USB viruses. kaspersky takes too long to scan a USB but its good heuristics can save the day
avira is supprisingly good due to its good heurictics

install a light AV + MCshield is the best way, IMO. USB is the only way for infection and MCshield can kill them all
Click to expand...
Do I have to register Avast free by internet in order for it to work?
 
shmu26 said:
I have an old desktop sitting in a back room, running Windows 7 32 bit, no internet connection over there. It has AVG free, which used to allow installation of definition and program updates offline. No more.

The computer got infected yesterday from a kid's flash drive, I cleaned it up with Kaspersky Rescue Disk.

But the real question is: what kind of AV can I use for a PC without internet connection? I need to be able to install it and update it offline. It's just too much of a schlep to drag the old clunker to the router and hook it up with monitor and keyboard and mouse every time I want to update the definitions.

Or maybe I should just install a USB protection? What do you say?
Click to expand...

The primary infection route is USB. Grab BiniSoft's USB Control and prevent people from connection. Plus default-deny on top of it - whatever you choose. Disable half of Windows.
 
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Perhaps Dr.Web CureIt could also fit your needs because it's 100% Free and does not require installation but no offline updates so you have to transfer the latest version to the PC each and every time you want it with the latest updates.

What the? I just read...quote : " To use Dr.Web CureIt! (Free Edition), you must run the program under an account with administrative privileges and have connection to the Internet. " :sleep:
 
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use a portable on-demand scanner, put it on USB, update it on your main PC, scan the offline PC. which one could fit this description...?
Ah yes! Emsisoft Emergency Kit ;p

btw, i was in this situation, i used only SRP or anti-exe on it.
 
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Lockdown said:
The primary infection route is USB. Grab BiniSoft's USB Control and prevent people from connection. Plus default-deny on top of it - whatever you choose. Disable half of Windows.
Click to expand...
Binisoft USB Control looks good. I didn't know about it. You can disable execution for all USB devices, so it is tantamount to a lockdown config for an offline computer
 
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shmu26 said:
Do I have to register Avast free by internet in order for it to work?
Click to expand...
I have no idea. It has been discussing on avast forum but there is no final answer yet. They said it can automatically register for the new license but I doubt that

ps: you can try to immunize the USB and disable all the autoplay function on your laptop so malwares won't start up automatically. Binisoft tool is a great tool to start
how about running mcshield + binisoft?
 
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@shmu26 How about Shadow Defender? After the kids got playing on the pc just reboot it and all stuff is back to normal.
Not sure if you need to be online once for the key check to see if its legit.
Maybe you got some 15 meters of lan cable from lan party days when you were young to avoid carrying the pc :D
 
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