New tool for you budding malware repair guys - Microsoft System Sweeper

mr_fishbulb

There's a Beta version out for Microsoft System Sweeper - http://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

Lets you create a bootable CD/USB to fix issues when the system won't allow you to run anti-malware software.

spannerzone

Thanks for the heads up.

GunJack

anyone had a closer look at this yet ?? any feedback ??

debitcardmayhem

GunJack wrote: »

anyone had a closer look at this yet ?? any feedback ??

Tried to download it on my Ubuntu box (from the pub ...running out of download :mad: limit) but its an exe(700+kb) and couldn't d/l the whole thing so until my limit ticks up next I can't run it under windows unless I can stay up til midnight free download or until the 9th June mind you I have half a pint left so may crack another can and d/l it tonight(well ok at 00:01 tomorrow ) It looks like a PE from what I've read and it would probably my guess is the best way to use it may be via USB stick so you can d/l MBAM or whatever else you need. I might open a can and see , but been up a wee while today so I might not play tonight.

debitcardmayhem

OK downloaded both 64 and 32 bit, formatted the 32 bit version, and guess what it won't work on my 64bit lappy so I can't test yet on that, and wifey has the 32bit version, but also I think it also Win version dependant ie it won't work if downloaded on W7 and if you have win xp also it won't load but I can't verify at the mo:o. Gonna try the 64 bit if I can find another unused stick.

debitcardmayhem

OK tried the 64bit version now, So as Gunjack asked ...any feedback

1) Chocolate Teapot
2) Only runs Defender Clone
3) Latest definitions only work over Ethernet ....i disconnected my ethernet cable cannot detect the site with wireless ie it does not know there is wireless
4) No other options except Quick/Full/Custom scan
5) No access to anything other than its Defender Clone

My opinion (for what it is worth) see 1) , and now I have 2 USB sticks free for something useful again.

Thanks MickeyMouseSoft I'll stick to Linux Live cd's/HirensBoot/SystemRescueCD or give up

GunJack

cheers dcm, looks liker I can save a stick then

John_Gray

I tried the 32-bit version of Microsoft System Sweeper beta on XP Pro, and it required me to install IMAPI v2.0 (and reboot) so that it could burn the CD from the 205.5 MB download.

Those familiar with Windows Defender and/or Microsoft Security Essentials will note a remarkable similarity in the interface, although all the dates and times are in US format (boo...).

The Full scan on my 20-odd GB C: drive would have taken about 5 hours, I reckon, so I cancelled it after half an hour and tried the Quick scan, which took about 5 minutes.

You can update the definitions (presumably 'in memory' if you have booted from a CD or DVD), but probably the best medium to use is an USB Flash Drive, where (I presume) the updated definitions can be written when downloaded from "the internet".

I wouldn't be as hard on it as was debitcardmayhem, but I'd see it as just another tool in the anti-malware armoury. But the full scan is agonisingly slow, and you would instead seriously consider restoring from the disk image you make recently using Shadow Protect, Macrium Reflect (free) or Acronis TrueImage (if the latter works properly!)... You do use a disk-imaging tool regularly, don't you?

John_Gray

Pretty difficult to answer that one unless one has available a specially-infected PC with those problems!