virus killers

Do You Run Antivirus Software?

7:00AM Gina Trapani | From the looks of our recent thread on software you should never install, several Lifehacker readers have given up on running antivirus software. Maybe you’re smart enough not to open up that email attachment, or maybe you’re confident enough in your spyware protection to snag viral nasties, or maybe you’re running Mac OS X or Linux. By default Windows Security will let you know if AV isn’t enabled on your machine, so I’m curious: How many of you skip the AV software entirely, and why? Make your case in the comments. More »

Scan Attachments Before Downloading with VirusTotal

12:00AM Kevin Purdy | If you’re the type who doesn’t keep a virus-scanning program running on your desktop out of memory concerns, or you find yourself at a system without your preferred scanner, you might want to think twice before downloading any suspicious attachments—even if the boss sent them. Luckily, previously mentioned service VirusTotal offers the same multi-AV-scanning service through a utility email address. Simply forward your email, attachment included, to scan@virustotal.com, with the body cleared out and “SCAN” in the subject. After running McAfee, AVG, F-Secure, and other apps over it, VirusTotal will email you back to let you know whether the attachment is infected. High thanks to Digital Inspiration, which offers a link to similarly useful email addresses at the link below. Is That Email Attachment Clean or Infected with some Virus ? [Digital Inspiration] More »