Which drives and partitions to scan?
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From: Ray K on 21 Feb 2010 10:35 My computer consists of two physical drives. The master is partitioned as C, E, F, H and I, and the slave as D and G. Is it necessary to scan all the partitions, rather than just C? In other words, even if there are viruses etc. in one of the non-C partitions, can they launch and cause problems?
From: Smiles on 21 Feb 2010 11:22 Ray K wrote: > My computer consists of two physical drives. The master is partitioned > as C, E, F, H and I, and the slave as D and G. Is it necessary to scan > all the partitions, rather than just C? In other words, even if there > are viruses etc. in one of the non-C partitions, can they launch and > cause problems? I scan c daily and my files on g. The rest weekly exept my backups on i which I do monthly
From: Wolf K on 21 Feb 2010 11:47 Ray K wrote: > My computer consists of two physical drives. The master is partitioned > as C, E, F, H and I, and the slave as D and G. Is it necessary to scan > all the partitions, rather than just C? In other words, even if there > are viruses etc. in one of the non-C partitions, can they launch and > cause problems? A virus can launch if the file in which it resides is accessed by a program or the system. So the answer to your last question is, "yes, depending." IMO, system partition should be scanned daily, as should any partitions that programs (or you) access frequently (eg for writing new data). Backup partitions can be left alone _if_ you backup only after a scan and any necessary cleaning. And a healthy dose of paranoia won't hurt you. ;-) wolf k.
From: David H. Lipman on 21 Feb 2010 11:52 From: "Ray K" <raykosXXX(a)optonline.net> | My computer consists of two physical drives. The master is partitioned | as C, E, F, H and I, and the slave as D and G. Is it necessary to scan | all the partitions, rather than just C? In other words, even if there | are viruses etc. in one of the non-C partitions, can they launch and | cause problems? The MOST important areas to be scanned... OS (ie; c:\winnt and c:\windows) Program installations (C:\Program files\.*) User Profiles (c:\users\* and c:\documents and settings\*) TEMP locations Root of all drives (not CD or DVDs) Cache locations The important factor is the areas can be variable. NOTE: The OS can be on a drive other than "C:" and TEMP and CACHE locations can be placed on other drives as well for speed optimization. Also wne can redirect their "My Documents" folder to an alternate locatation as well. -- Dave http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
From: Bad Boy Charlie on 21 Feb 2010 12:46
?On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:35:15 -0500, Ray K <raykosXXX(a)optonline.net> wrote: >My computer consists of two physical drives. The master is partitioned >as C, E, F, H and I, and the slave as D and G. Is it necessary to scan >all the partitions, rather than just C? In other words, even if there >are viruses etc. in one of the non-C partitions, can they launch and >cause problems? Of course. If mal ware on partition Z (as an example) is launched and is coded to direct it's payload to C: then you're affected. Why leave -any- portion of your system un scanned? What is the benefit to less scanning? IMHO no part of one's C: (or assigned system drive) should have limited scanning or any exclusions at all. System-wide scans can be scheduled while you sleep or are away from the PC. All it will take is one successful infection while you employ 'limited scanning' to change your security tactics and regimen forever. I used to do as you have asked about and then many years ago I got hit with the Spanska4250 virus. After a few heart-pounding hours I cleared it but -now- no partition or folder goes un scanned and no file type goes un scanned either. As I asked earlier - what is there to GAIN by short-cutting security measures? Nada!!! |