Microsoft Safety Scanner

For what it's worth.


Microsoft Safety Scanner

Do you think your PC has a virus?

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

Note: The Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is not a replacement for using an antivirus software program that provides ongoing protection.

For real-time protection that helps to guard your home or small business PCs against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, download Microsoft Security Essentials.

Microsoft Safety Scanner - Free online tool for PC health and safety

 

As much of a joke as McAfee is nowadays, I kind of like their Stinger utility for this purpose:

How to Use Stinger | McAfee Free Tools

 

Can't you just get Microsoft Security Essentials instead? After all it is a free AV from Microsoft catered to the Windows XP/Vista/7 platform. I think the Safety Scanner is just a version of MSE but without the actual deletion/quarantine system and non-constant definition updates.

 

Actually this new version works perfectly for a system we have at work. We have an off-line system used for a couple of very specific purpose. Since it is off-line the AV on there is outdated. This is now a simple and easy way to check the status of that laptop - tried it, is does a quick and/or full scan.
I'd give it a thumbs-up for meeting our unique need.

 

If it is never online, they why do you need to check for viruses? As long as your specific usage doesn't involve working with malicious code, it will never likely get a virus or trojan since it is never online. Having an AV in that case is negligible.

 

if this is the same microsoft safety scanner you find in adverts at the top or side of web pages it automatically gives you false positives and says you need to pay for the upgrade to get rid of them.
ive had 2 people so far panic as it says they have various trojan viruses and they havnt. its also a to get rid off as it wont let you remove the software in the normal way.

if its not the same software ignore my comment

 

It's a different one =p

 

ignore me then

 

It is not on-line - but files and media are constantly used on it. So if the original computer had a problem it could easily get passed to the machine we have. This new product is just a much easier solution than installing an AV and manually downloading & updating the AV databases.
As mentioned we have kind of a unique situation where this provides a nice, easy to use option.

 

But Microsoft Safety Scanner is likely based on certain definitions (from the moment of the installation) for effective scanning.
If you are using files on that computer on a regular basis (ones that are new for example), then after some time, the filters in MSS might not be new enough to detect a possible threat (if the malware is newer than the definitions).

It would come down to manual download and installation of the scanners definitions ... again, it would be the same thing like having an outdated antivirus for example, and in this case, MSE is superior in capabilities.
Would it be a problem to connect the computer to the internet every once in a while and press 'update' inside MSE or let it update automatically so it keeps itself up-to-date?

 

Was configured as a off-line system - as mentioned this is an option that works for an AV on a unique set-up we have. Not something I would recommend. But for us a necessity to execute some operations.