Do you use portable anti-malware apps?

Haydon · Feb 1, 2023

I myself used to regularly use portable anti-malware apps (i.e. apps on a USB stick, does not have to be installed) as second opinion scanners when Windows Defender was not very good. I no longer use portable anti-malware anymore as Windows Defender has become quite good.

Nonetheless, I am curious about the actual usage of portable anti-malware apps these days. And of course, in emergency cases, any tool you can get your hands on would be welcome!

Bree · Feb 1, 2023

Haydon said:
I myself used to regularly use portable anti-malware apps (i.e. apps on a USB stick, does not have to be installed) as second opinion scanners when Windows Defender was not very good. I no longer use portable anti-malware anymore as Windows Defender has become quite good.

Nonetheless, I am curious about the actual usage of portable anti-malware apps these days.

If I want a second opinion I use ADWCleaner. That does not need an install. Never finds anything these days though......

NavyLCDR · Feb 1, 2023

I could not vote in your poll because you failed to include an option for none.

Edwin · Feb 1, 2023

Do you use portable anti-malware apps?

No.

TraderGary · Feb 1, 2023

Do you use portable anti-malware apps?

No, I do not. I use Windows Security (Defender).

There wasn't an option for "none", so I couldn't vote.

TairikuOkami · Feb 2, 2023

I wonder how have you come up with the list, it is seems so random. Comodo's tool is useless, Comodo AV's strenght lies in it's HIPS. Zemana does not have a protable version, there is a "fake" one, not a really good idea to use. But you have included all 3 categories: Online, offline, rescue tools, each can be used for different purposes.

I myself like real portable ones, like Emsisoft and MWAV, they can be easily updated, setup to scan downloaded files via a download manager and they do not leave mess behind. But for a real detection, I would use online removal tools like Sophos HitmanPro and Norton Power Eraser, for PC/browsers: RogueKiller and RKill/FRST.

For the record, Dr.Web CureIt is the best. There are some malware, which can block AVs based on the name and the certificate to prevent the detection and removal. CureIt runs with a randomized name and without a certificate.

A Guy · Feb 2, 2023

I have a great many on my USB tool kit, many older and no longer supported. Do I use them? No, lol. Haven't had a need to rescue anyone in a long while

A Guy

kelper · Feb 2, 2023

I ran MSERT yesterday and it crashed my laptop. I had a black screen with a narrow, green and black tower like a stack of cards coming up from the lower edge.
I could not boot into Macrium Reflect to restore and holding down SHIFT while I pressed 'Restart' just returned me to Windows.
Fortunately, I was able to boot from a USB HDD. I ran MSERT again (sucker for punishment) and it ran without problems.

cereberus · Feb 2, 2023

None of the above

Wisewiz · Feb 2, 2023

What cereberus said.

If I'm not satisfied with Defender's and Malwarebytes' scans, I might use Trend Micro's House Call. It always immediately finds the one thing I have told Defender and MWB to ignore: my Defender Control. But it also leaves a bunch of residue behind, and it takes a few minutes to get it out of the system, so unless you're an experienced House Call user, I don't recommend it.

flashh4 · Feb 3, 2023

I use Windows Defender but sometimes i get a few PUPs that somehow sneak through so to clean them out i use Malewarebytes & AdwCleaner to find & remove them. Sometimes i use Eset to do a scan & if i am not satisfied i run Farbar but it only tells me everything installed then i have to read it & write a script to remove the bad things & clean the registry !

kelper · Feb 3, 2023

If y'all had a decent antimalware program you wouldn't need theses online scanners!

Do you use portable anti-malware apps?

I have recently used: (up to 3 choices possible)

Microsoft Safety Scanner

Zemana AntiMalware Portable

Avast Rescue Disk

Emsisoft Emergency Kit

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool

Norton Power Eraser

Comodo Cleaning Essentials

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