Unix system to virus-scan NTFS filesystem?

[chusteczka]

Is there an anti-virus program installable on a unix system (FreeBSD or Linux) that may scan an NTFS filesystem?

I would like to build a test machine whose sole purpose is to scan Windows system drives hooked up via an e-sata cable to the test machine.

When repairing a computer, the first step should always be to scan it for viruses. To do this, I can pull the drive out from the computer being repaired and put the drive into an esata docking station to connect to the test machine. If the test machine is Windows based, the possibility exists of a virus jumping from the windows system drive in the docking station to the test machine. This possibility of infecting the test machine will be dramatically reduced if the test machine is running unix; preferably of the linux or Freebsd varieties.

Any ideas?

 

[TekViper]

What about using a bootable image on a cd/usb stick with an antivirus scanner? Less steps with close to the same results. Just make sure to keep it up to date with the latest definitions.

 

[chusteczka]

I have used those with some success. The AVG rescue disk sometimes is unable to connect to the internet to update the definitions. The Kaspersky rescue disk has worked well. However, I do not fully trust those to do the job anymore.

Additionally, this method relies on the system to be tested. My machines are always up to date and fast because when they get slow, I give them away and build another. Other machines from friends and such are often much slower often with less RAM than I wish to wait for.

If there is the possibility to build a comprehensive test machine, then I wish to do so. You are correct, though. The Kaspersky rescue cd is probably all I need.

 

[chusteczka]

This evening I installed Ubuntu linux onto my test machine, placed an Eicar-test-file to simulate a virus on a spare drive formatted with the NTFS filesystem, then placed the drive into an esata dock. The standard ClamAV in Ubuntu was able to scan the NTFS drive and found the Eicar-test-file. I have not done something like this before so it was new for me and I am happy to see it works so easily.

My next step is to find a good antivirus program that works in linux.

EDIT:
Apparently, there are numerous good linux antivirus programs available.

Wikipedia - List of antivirus software
AV-Comparatives.org comparisons
AV-Test.org comparisons and certifications
BitDefender for Unix - free for personal use

 

[eUK-host]

The only free antivirus for your linux would be Clam AntiVirus scanner. It will scan your NTFS filesystem and check for viruses.