awinterb@udenva.cair.du.edu (Richard Nixon) (09/19/89)
Has anyone used VirusDetective for the Mac? We've
used it, but it seems to detect viruses in files that
we doubt are affected.
How reliable is this bit of software?
...!ncar!udenva!awinterb
or according to rumor
awinterb@du.edudmg@lid.mitre.org (David Gursky) (09/20/89)
What version are you using? The latest and greatest is 3.0.1. I've been using it with no problems. [On the other hand, the systems I am using it on are clean according to it and Disinfectant 1.2...]
shulman@uunet.UU.NET (Jeff Shulman) (09/20/89)
awinterb@udenva.cair.du.edu (Richard Nixon) writes: >Has anyone used VirusDetective for the Mac? We've >used it, but it seems to detect viruses in files that >we doubt are affected. I have (but then again I wrote it! <standard disclaimers>). VirusDetective (VD) is only as good as the search strings used. VD 3.0.1 (the latest) is distributed with search strings that detect all known *active* Mac viruses. With the latest search patterns I have seen NO cases of "false" alarms. Some earlier search strings (say CODE Size xxx) to test for a virus *could* match legitimate CODE resources. So, without knowing what version you are running nor the search strings you are using you may very well be getting matches where no virus actually exists. Standard example of Garbage In, Garbage Out. >How reliable is this bit of software? I have not seen any known virus get past VD 3.0.1. VD is the only program (to my knowledge) that can be user configured to search for any new virus (or *any* resource for that matter) as soon as a virus is discovered thus you do not need to obtain a new version (costing $$ from commercial vendors) when a new virus is discovered. NOTE: I *do* send out notification of new search strings to my registered users but you are apt to see them in Usenet first. Jeff Shulman VirusDetective author - -- uucp: ...rutgers!yale!slb-sdr!shulman CSNet: SHULMAN@SDR.SLB.COM Delphi: JEFFS GEnie: KILROY CIS: 76136,667 AppleLink: KILROY Disclaimer: VD has absolutely nothing to do with my "day" job at SDR and opinions, etc. herein should not be construed as coming from SDR.
henry@att.att.com (09/21/89)
In article <0004.8909191146.AA07427@ge.sei.cmu.edu> awinterb@udenva.cair.du.edu (Richard Nixon) writes: >Has anyone used VirusDetective for the Mac? We've >used it, but it seems to detect viruses in files that >we doubt are affected. > >How reliable is this bit of software? How certain are you that these files are not infected? Have you checked them with other programs such as Disinfectant and Virus RX? The latest version of VirusDetective (3.0.1 if memory serves) seems quite reliable. It was the program with which I discovered the nVIR A infection on the disk which came with the Brady Utility book _Applied HyperTalk_. If VD is reporting a virus, I'd be sure to check those files with another detection utility before dismissing it as a false alarm. I'm not saying that VD will never give a false alarm, but since the different utilities use different detection methods the probability of both giving false alarms on the same file is small. Personally I never trust only one program to tell me whether or not I have a virus. I run at least two on a weekly basis. Henry C. Schmitt Author of Virus Encyclopedia H3nry C. Schmitt | CompuServe: 72275,1456 (Rarely) | GEnie: H.Schmitt (Occasionally) Royal Inn of Yoruba | UUCP: Henry@chinet.chi.il.us (Best Bet)