Offline Updates:Anti-Virus Software

   Previously I've talked about how to update anti virus software without a net connection.In this post I'll describe how to do that for a few software.
 1.For the software listed below the update file is an executable;run the file and the update is completed.
    (a)Avast
    (b)Windows Defender
    (c) Spybot S & D
    (d)Super Anti-Spyware
 2.Avira-Start Avira anti-virus and from the tabs select update/manual
    Browse for the update file and select it;the update process is completed.
    Dont unzip or change the name of the update file.
 3.Ad-Aware-Unzip the file and copy it to
    (a)C:\Program Data\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\Defs in the case of Vista
    (b)C:\Documents and Settings\All User\App Data\Lavasoft\Ad-    
        Aware\Defs in the case of XP.

Using the Kaspersky Rescue CD

Download the iso image and burn it to a cd.This is the download link: 
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Kaspersky-Rescue-Disk.shtml 
Then boot from the cd.

In the first screen press enter:

After booting the anti virus window opens.Here you can scan or do an update.There are are two tabs scan and update.To do the scan select the disks and start.The virus are displayed on detection.

Update:

The data on the disks can be accessed via the kaspersky menu icon.Click on the icon to see the various options:

Select file manager to access data present on the disks:

Usage is the same as in Windows.The CD automatically detects and connects to the internet if the internet connection is present.

Note:This cd is currently in beta.The final version is not released yet.

Working with the Avira Rescue CD

                In my last post I discussed a few methods to remove malicious software.Those will not work for severe infections.Once in my friend's pc I could not run any software at all.Everytime I clicked an application  file the OS would ask me what to open it with!!

               There are many cases like these.In case formatting is not an option then you can try rescue cds.These are made by many anti-virus software companies like kaspersky,avast,etc.The idea here is that you boot up from this cd and scan the hard disk for malicious software.Additionally some of them also provide the option to save any files present in the C drive.This is useful if the pc does not start up.

              In case if you're wondering about updates well it is possible to update if the pc has an internet connection.Usage is easy.I'm going to discuss of a couple of them;from kaspersky and avira.Both are freeware.

Avira Rescue CD

             Download the software and run it.It'll burn the data to a cd if a cd writer is present else you can save the iso image.Burn the image to a cd and boot from it.In the start screen press enter:

            In the main page change the language to english by clicking on the British flag:

        Select the update option to start the internet update.In the page choose start update:

           

                 To start scan select Virus Scanner and then start scanner:

         The default settings will work.Change the action to be taken in case of any detections.

         The results will be displayed on completion of the scan.

Dealing With Virus Infections on Pcs

In today’s world computers are affected by viruses and other malicious software on a regular basis.In many cases anti-virus software is able to block these attacks.The efficiency depends upon the presence of latest updates and capability of the anti virus software that is used.Keeping these things in mind allow me to describe an incident of virus infection and its solution.However let me tell you I’m not an expert.

A few days before my friend connected a pen drive to his pc.This scenario is a common experience for many.The only thing missing was that my friend had not updated his anti virus software for a couple of months. The anti virus software i.e. avast showed that the pen drive had a virus but could not do anything about it.

Personally I felt that the trojan was announcing its arrival.And in a matter of minutes the infection spread throughout the hard disk and also to his mobile phone.Now he could see that it was present on his pc because there were files and folders with names similar to his personal files.For example inside the movie folder there was a folder named movie which he had not created.

The first thing he had in mind was to get the offline updates for avast.This is a useful feature of many anti virus software;they allow one to download updates in an internet connected pc and use it in any other pc.

Eg:avast,avira

For a more comprehensive list please refer to this link:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Signatures-Updates/

He asked me to get the latest updates.Alongwith with the updates I took some virus cleaning and anti-malware software.Now you would be wondering what is a virus cleaner.Well it is free software made by all anti virus makers to remove specific viruses.Most of these are a part of my system rescue USB drive.Next let me take you through what I did step by step:

1.The first thing I tried was running Vipre Scanner.This detected a few viruses but the problem persisted.

2.I updated avast and went into safe mode.Here again I ran the vipre scanner but with similar results.

3.Next I tried a scan using avast.While scanning it told me that there many viruses present and advised a boot time scan.

The boot time scan is one of the best features of avast.Here avast will load before other softwares and windows components during startup and start a scan.This scan removed most of the malicious software present.

Note:The boot time scan is present in a few anti virus software only.

Source:List of antivirus software - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The boot time scan also showed that the system restore points were affected.Thus doing a system restore does not work.

4.Then I booted into windows and saw that the viruses were deleted.But the control panel was not opening.I tried a system restore but that did not work.

5.I did a scan using Spybot S & D.To my relief it solved the issue.

Now I cant explain anything in detail.My purpose was to show what anyone can do in case of a virus infection.There are many more things that can be done depending upon the severity of the infection.