Advice Request What Are Your Prefered Second Opinion Malware Scanner/Scanners?

[Andy Ful]

Hi, Folks.
What Second opinion malware scanners have you on your system?
I have Norton Power Eraser+Emsisoft Emergency Kit & HitmanPro.

If you suspect that the computer is infected, then a good method is using the AV live CD (like Kaspersky Rescue Disk). It has the advantage that the malware is not active while scanning.

Edit.
Another advantage is that you do not need to start a possibly infected Windows system.

 

[silversurfer]

The old statement still works to be true: "Better safe than sorry"

I'm using once per month: HitmanPro (free), Norton Power Eraser, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, ESET online scanner.

If the system is also compromised, a second opinion scanner wouldn't work - if the malware is not from a script kiddy. Only live medium scanner works as real second opinion, which works without active running OS

Who said something like that? such pseudo experts always believe to be true but that is no real fact rather just another opinion

 

[Andy Ful]

If the system is also compromised, a second opinion scanner wouldn't work - if the malware is not from a script kiddy. Only live medium scanner works as real second opinion, which works without active running OS

@silversurfer is right - in most cases, there will be not much difference in detection between second opinion scanner on Windows as compared to using a live CD. Second opinion scanners could find out the infection traces many times on Malware Hub (even for sophisticated malware).
Anyway, there are rare kinds of malware that can make a difference in the postinfection stage (rootkits, malware that uses anti-hooking, malware that can block/restrict Internet access, hide Registry keys, etc.). Furthermore, disinfection can be more comprehensive when using a Live CD.

Edit.
There are some advantages to scan files when the system is running. For example, some malware can remove the traces before the system is closed, and start the infection chain after reboot.

 

[sirius777]

• Malwarebytes (free)
• Emsisoft Emergency Kit
• ESET Online Scanner
• Norton Power Eraser

 

[bayasdev]

For Windows machines I use:

• Hitman Pro
• EEK
• MBAM Free
• NPE

 

[cruelsister]

Keep in mind that VBS/worm infections are very prevalent and of the scanners mentioned above neither MB. HMP, nor EEK are particularly effective (almost not effective) in detecting/eradicating either the initial infection or the persistence mechanism.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Keep in mind that VBS/worm infections are very prevalent and of the scanners mentioned above neither MB. HMP, nor EEK are particularly effective (almost not effective) in detecting/eradicating either the initial infection or the persistence mechanism.

What would be your recommendation for 1 or 2 second opinion scanners?

 

[cruelsister]

What would be your recommendation for 1 or 2 second opinion scanners?

Without a doubt KVRT as a second, but I have to say that with regard to worm infections NPE has really improved, so I can't mock it anymore.MB has always been iffy at best, and since the Lomen boys split from HMP I haven't been aware of any intrinsic improvements.

 

[mkoundo]

• Malwarebytes Free
• Hitman pro free

Since eset online scanner has been mentioned quite a few times I thought I would give it a try, but unfortunately the GUI seems to be missing text. Anyone have any hints/tips for this issue?

 

[plat]

the Lomen boys split from HMP

Mark Loman is still there, as far as I know? Erik Loman,, the lead engineer, did leave it seems.

Source

 

[Andy Ful]

The second opinion scanner is often used to check the files before executing/opening them. Of course, it is always better to do such a scan before executing something, but one should not think that this can reduce much the risk of infection (especially when one has a good AV with behavior-based detections in the cloud).

 

[Ink]

Windows itself also run every month their own second opinion scanner which is called MRT.exe

If the system is also compromised, a second opinion scanner wouldn't work - if the malware is not from a script kiddy. Only live medium scanner works as real second opinion, which works without active running OS

Not true. MSRT isn't a second opinion scanner, it does compliment your RTP, but not able to find all other known malware/adware as 3p offerings.

MSRT can only find and reverse a limited number of most common known malware.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/890830/remove-specific-prevalent-malware-with-windows-malicious-software-remo

A second opinion scanner can be manually used to scan downloaded files, prior to installation, therefore able to prevent an malware infection should the file be flagged.

 

[plat]

Yes, mrt.exe can be run "on-demand" as opposed to the traditional method of monthly downloading and running upon restart. But as a second-opinion scanner, no, I would not use it in that capacity, because of the static signatures. Plus, mrt.exe will be deprecated to only four times a year,( my understanding,) instead of every month.

This info is on the Wilders Security Forum's "Bork Tuesday" thread. Many 2ndop. scanners listed already are very useful and beneficial, my opinion. Norton Power Eraser in particular is impressive in dealing with false-positives.

 

[MegenM]

I use Zemana Antimalware with my primary antivirus Bitdefender. I run it occasionally on weekends!

 

[Arequire]

Typically I'd just format the drive and reinstall the OS of any infected system, but if I had to use scanners to disinfect a system I'd probably use a combination of Kaspersky Rescue Disk and ESET SysRescue.

 

[SeriousHoax]

I never use any as I'm yet to be infected but out of all, Norton Power Eraser is my favorite because of its reputational info.

 

[Cortex]

I wouldn't try to clean my PC's, I would image back a fair amount of time, as long as it takes - Others PC's are a different matter, though backing out of doing other peoples PC's ?

 

[Minimalist]

I would never use 2nd opinion scanner to disinfect my system. I use them only for detection. After (hypothetical) infection I would just restore clean system image.

 

[Brahman]

I never had to restore a system to a clean image because of a nasty infection but I have lost count how many times I have restored my system to a clean state because of windows 10 updates, windows errors etc. I find windows more destructive than any other malwares. I am still waiting for a second opinion scanner which can remove ms windows from my system.

 

[sirius777]

I am still waiting for a second opinion scanner which can remove ms windows from my system.

There is. It's called a Live Linux USB, and it comes in various variants, such as MX Linux, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Manjaro, Linux Mint, and many more. It can remove MS Windows easily and quickly.