Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

SuperAnti Spyware program for removing viruses?

Sep 4, 2014 6:08AM PDT

Please forgive my "limited brain function" on this question; Happy But I am confused because a friend recently said the SAS program takes care of viruses too? I have used this program my self and it usually will find things another program leaves behind! So,for those kind of problems its a great program. And yes I know, regardless of its a free or paid program, it comes down to the user; how careful you are. Then that isn't even a guarantee. I am wanting to take our 3 computers off the Norton (for 3 pcs) and go with a good free anti virus. I currently use Malwarebytes. I also have a program called pcMRI (Microsoft Partner) This is a purchased program. I have used AVG for antivirus before. Thanks to who ever might be able to help with this. imgrateful_1

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
I'm going with no.
Sep 4, 2014 6:59AM PDT

Today there is no one scanner+remover that detects and removes all infections. While it may get quite a few I continue to have to use Grif's list at http://forums.cnet.com/7726-6122_102-5509131.html?tag=posts;msg5509131 to detect and clean.

And some nasties burrow in too deep for all that. And then to make matters worse a new strain of infection infects no files but sits in memory.
Bob

- Collapse -
Answer
SuperAntispyware Removes Spyware, Primarily NOT Viruses
Sep 4, 2014 10:47AM PDT

One simple test is the EICAR test virus that was used for years to test antivirus programs.. Generally, SAS and Malwarebytes won't detect it while true antivirus programs, such as AVG, will. Still SAS and Malwarebytes are good tools, but they are still only tools for removing certain types of malware, not viruses.

http://www.eicar.org/86-0-Intended-use.html

Hope this helps.

Grif