AS a matter of religion, I ALWAYS save a downloaded file to a folder I call Awaiting Scan. I use Get Right and AVG. Get right calls AVG to scan the file when it finishes every download. Then before I open or move a file from the Awaiting Scan folder, I always scan it or the folder again.
On occasion, AVG will find a virus on this second scan that it missed on the download. This later detection seems to occur with zip or rar files. Apparently AVG unzips a file for scanning the second time, but not when scanning a freshly downloaded file. Make any sense? Homer --- Alan Winterrowd <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Now we have gone to a different area. Yes, an AV > program can miss a virus, especially if the virus is > newer than the signature file, but scanning it after > you have saved it uses the same engine and signature > files (unless you have something live CA's eTrust > that has two separate engines and signature files to > choose from). > > I can see, however, that there could be a benefit to > saving the file, waiting a few days, updating your > signature files, then scanning the attachment again. > This is a different scenario than you mentioned > earlier. There is still no special benefit to using > your Desktop as the temporary storage place. If it > makes it easier to find and remember for you, and > you move or delete the files regularly, that would > be reasonable enough. > > I use my Desktop to d/l single use files (patches, > or .pdf's on our older PC's that get bogged down > trying to print the .pdf directly from the web). I > also have a Downloads folder, with a Done subfolder. > If I download a file I want to use, I put it in the > Download folder. If it is a document that I want to > keep, I move it to My Documents, if it is an > executable or zipped file that I want to keep, I > move it to my Done subfolder, that way I know that > files in the Download folder are things I d/l'd for > something specific (helps my occasionally > slow-running brain remember things.) > > As far as M$ patches, I usually install them > directly from the website, although some office > service packs have to be downloaded, then run. I > also wait a little while and let others be the > guinea pigs for new patches, before I use them > myself. If a M$ patch has delivered a virus or > worm, in the past, I must have missed the news about > it, but then I never did get to see the TO/Desperate > Housewives bit either (and I was all ready to be > terribly offended, and watch it a couple of times to > make sure I was offended properly! :) > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Janet > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 5:18 AM > Subject: [A-1-Computer_Tech] Dealing with an > attachment > > > Some may have felt I was paranoid in asking the > question about the > desktop where I do save an attachment that I want > to open but about > which I am not sure. I made the point earlier > that we hear so often > that anti virus software fails, even with the more > expensive over the > free. I have read the point in support that there > is always the > possibility that one has been caught by a new > virus or, human failure > in not updating. I have found these question and > answers and have > supplied the url/links to support my paranoia. :-) > It seems prudent > therefore to use the Desktop to save an > attachment, or download to > scan it first. > I have found a virus in an attachment saved to > desktop and quarantined > it successfully. > > http://www2.essex.ac.uk/cs/virus/attachments.htm > Q: I'm not sure about an attachment, but I want to > look at it ... what > can I do? > A: If both Sophos and the anti-virus software pass > that attachment, it > is probably virus-free. But if you are in any > doubt, you should wait > for at least 2 days before examining the > attachment. Then, just before > examining it, log out of your machine, and back on > ... this will > update your pattern file. Then examine it again > with the anti-virus > software. If is still claimed to be virus-free, > then it probably is, > and you can safely open it. > > http://www.hw.ac.uk/cenWWW/help/faqs/faqpcal.html > Q: I think I may have a virus in my H:/ directory. > How do I get rid of > it? > A: Use the Virus Checker icon (also available > under Core Utilities > from the Start button). Once you have eradicated > the virus from your > H:/ directory you should be aware of how viruses > can be caught: > NEVER read an attachment directly from your email > software. Save it to > a file first, scan the file with the virus > utility, then open it once > you know it is safe. > DO NOT open files directly within Netscape (e.g. > Word files). Save to > a file, then scan and open once you know they are > clean. > Check all disks you receive, scan them with the > virus utility. This > includes disks you get from magazines - some of > these have had viruses > in the past. > Always keep up-to-date back up copies of your > important files. If a > file you are working on is then damaged by a > virus, you will be able > to get a clean copy from your back ups. > Set Word to prompt you before saving changes to > your Global Template > (normal.dot). Go to the TOOLS menu and choose > Options, on the Save tab > select the Prompt to Save Normal Template option. > Any prompts you > receive from Word to save changes to your template > may then indicate > you have a virus. NOTE: this is not foolproof, use > the other > techniques above in addition. > Scan all your disks and files regularly to double > check. > > Janet ~ UK > http://globechatters.net > O/S WinXPSP2 Pro IE/OE6 - home user > > > > > If you have any questions or problems with any > aspect of this site, please feel free to contact me > directly [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please do not post > personal issues directly to the group. > > To unsubscribe from this list, send an email to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Thank you for using A-1 Computer Tech > > > Yahoo! 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