Microsoft releases free AV software that boots from CD or USB

[grandpaflo]

Microsoft releases free AV software that boots from CD or USB
This Story: http://h-online.com/-1254112

Download: http://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

1 June 2011, 16:56

"Microsoft has published a beta of its Standalone System Sweeper software, a bootable recovery tool that can be used to identify and remove rootkits, as well as other advanced malware. The bootable anti-virus solution uses the same AV engine as Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and supports both 32- and 64-bit installations of Windows.

The Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper application (.exe) downloads approximately 200 MB of data, including the latest virus and spyware definitions, from Microsoft's servers and walks users through creating a LiveCD, LiveDVD or LiveUSB – a blank CD, DVD or USB flash drive with at least 250 MB of space is required.

Alternatively, "advanced" users can opt to create an ISO image for later use, with, for example, a virtual machine. In tests by The H's associates at heise Security, the signatures on the LiveCD that was created were outdated, even though the files has just been downloaded from Microsoft. As such, users are advised to "Check for updates" before running the tool.

Microsoft's Standalone System Sweeper is available to download from connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper. The Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta supports Windows XP Service Pack 3, Vista and Windows 7 – a complete list of system requirements is provided."

"Once running, users are advised to check for updated signatures."

"The Standalone System Sweeper tool also gives users the option to create bootable USB flash drives."

 

[MadScientist]

I'll give this a try but I've had only limited success with the bootable virus scanners, i.e., Avira Antivir Rescue System. http://www.avira.com/en/support-download-avira-antivir-rescue-system

Microsoft also has come out with a Malawarebytes Anti-malware type scanner, Microsoft Safety Scanner. It expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again. http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

 

[Zargon]

neat

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Hiren bootcd got dr web, r-kill, combofix, tdskiller, remove anti rogue, malwarebytes, spyware search and destroy, killbox, superantispyware, avira scanner just to name a few on

 

[ch33zw1z]

Hiren's is a very nice tool. But nothing is 100%, any little edge you can get helps out.

 

[lowrider69]

Looks like Hirens bootcd went all freeware...or legit shall I say. The one thing he should start doing is listing the MD5 checksum on his site and host the file on his server. I always stayed away from it due to the fact that you had to search around to find a copy and you never knew if it was poisoned.

 

[wirednuts]

i would trust the people who made the os more then anyone to remove rootkits and other hard to get at viruses.

ill be keeping this bootable disc on hand, thats for sure.