Get Crucial Patches Using an Online Scan

This question arises as a new trend in online scan service provided by antivirus software and computer security solution vendors are trending. Should we really take advantage of this service? This question triggers many other questions along, such as:

- Do we need to make use of a free virus scan? There are times that we have to make sure that our running system is really virus free, or that a stealth virus capable of hiding itself from our current antivirus is actually there. We can take advantage of the always-up-to-date state of an online free virus scan database, in case it can detect an otherwise undetectable virus, due to its state of update and possible different algorithm used.

- Is an online free virus scan really effective? Although this depends on the state of update of the database being used, chances are that an online scan tends to use the latest virus definition database. It's more than likely that it uses the latest scanning techniques. Regardless of that, not knowing the previous condition that the system is in can lead to uselessness of the scan, if for instance the system is already compromised by a virus.

What is it like? The usual procedure that an online free virus scan follows is: (1) download; (2) install; (3) update; (4) scan. The procedure sequence resembles a typical program installation steps of any regular free antivirus software. But it actually differs in that what it installs is only the scanner portion and not the whole antivirus program. After the scan is complete, should any infections be detected, some online scan service will try to disinfect right away, while some will only notify us about this findings and suggest on running a more comprehensive antivirus scan instead, to completely remove any existence of malware.

- On what occasion will we need to use an online virus scan? Right when it is time that we should take the risk of being compromised or let our system be infected by trojan, worm, or a virus. When our current antivirus system doesn't give any alerts, there's always the possibility that a third party scan can detect something missed.

- What’s in a free virus scan that’s not there in our regular antivirus software? That is the varying services of each vendors; the capability of scanning on the fly; and also the vast availability. Aside of that none that I can think of.

- How effective is it? If we are to use this service as a preventive measure, the ineffectiveness is obvious. This is really a best choice for systems without any antivirus installed. For some reason, I fall into this category of PC users. Sometimes I need to run a check on my files, to see if there is a virus contracted if any.

At last, what do we conclude?

The final choice is definitely up to you. To me, for the readiness upon request and minimum installation requirements, an Online Free Virus Scan is rather effective, being a virtual system user as I am. Nevertheless, should I survive the computing world without virtual computer, I wold rather go with an antivirus. (I currently insist on using a clean system, without any antivirus software installed. It’s LIGHT :), and preserves the world)