Virus removal tools

Virus removal tools

A virus removal tool is software for removing specific viruses from infected computers. Unlike general-purpose virus scanners, it is not intended to detect and remove, ideally, all known viruses; rather it is designed to remove specific viruses more effectively and completely than a general-purpose program. Many single-virus tools will be found searching the Worldwide-Web for "virus removal tool"; others, such as McAfee Stinger and the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool run automatically by Windows update, are designed to remove a limited numbers of viruses. Many of these tools are available for free download.

If a virus is identified by a general-purpose scanner it may not be entirely removed; once the virus has been identified, running a tool designed specifically for it can do a better job of cleaning.

Issues of concern

* The regular appearance of new malware is certainly in the financial interest of vendors of commercial antivirus software, though there is no evidence of collusion. [2]
* Some antivirus software can considerably reduce performance. Users may disable the antivirus protection to overcome the performance loss, thus increasing the risk of infection. For maximum protection, the antivirus software needs to be enabled all the time — often at the cost of slower performance (see also software bloat).
* It is important to note that one should not have more than one memory-resident antivirus software solution installed on a single computer at any given time. Otherwise, the computer may be crippled.[3]
* It is sometimes necessary to temporarily disable virus protection when installing major updates such as Windows Service Packs or updating graphics card drivers.[4] Active antivirus protection may partially or completely prevent the installation of a major update.
* When purchasing antivirus software, the agreement may include a clause that the subscription will be automatically renewed, and the purchaser's credit card automatically billed, at the renewal time without explicit approval. For example, McAfee requires one to unsubscribe at least 60 days before the expiration of the present subscription.[5] Norton Antivirus also renews subscriptions automatically by default. [6]
* Some antivirus programs are actually spyware masquerading as antivirus software. It is best to double-check that the antivirus software which is being downloaded is actually a real antivirus program.[7]
* Some commercial antivirus software programs contain adware.[citation needed]
* Most widely-accepted antivirus programs often do not detect newly-created viruses.
* Anti-virus manufacturers have been criticised for fear mongering by exaggerating the risk that virus pose to consumers.[8]