Personally, I seldom if ever scan my system using the resident antivirus – working on the theory that, if the antivirus failed to identify the malware in the first place, how sure can you be that it will identify the malware during a scan.
Fortunately. there are several very good free malware scanner/removers to choose from, with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware arguably the most popular. The beauty of these types of programs is that, when not is use, they consume very little to zero system resources. So, we can utilize as many as we like without fear of conflicts or any discernible additional load on the system.
Many users would consider one on-demand scanner enough and, under normal circumstances involving a relatively clean machine, it probably is. However, once the existence of malware has been confirmed, scanning through multiple engines would be the optimal plan of attack. Although some may be slightly better at detecting than others, they all work a little differently and what one misses during a scan another may well find. That’s why professionals, who clean infected machines for a living, will always scan through multiple engines before declaring a clean bill of health.
The moral of the story is, it doesn’t hurt to have several of these scanner/removers on hand, especially where portable is available.
Trend Micro Anti-Threat Toolkit – Portable and Free Malware Scanner/Remover
Japan based Trend Micro has been providing security solutions for more than a decade, including its well known free web-based scanner/remover House Call which has been around since the early XP days, long before the advent of today’s popular scanner/removers. Not saying that Trend Micro ATK is necessarily the best, or even better, just that the company does know its stuff.
Trend Micro ATK is available in multiple flavors, all are portable:
As you can see from the above screenshot, 32-bit and native 64-bit are supported in both ‘online’ and ‘offline’ versions. The ‘online’ version, which is for computers with internet connection, scans in the cloud. The ‘offline’ version for computers without internet connection, including when malware might be blocking the connection, scans locally per medium of a built-in definition database.
I downloaded the Online 64-bit version which is a 24.0 MB zip file. Naturally, because of the additional database, the corresponding Offline version is considerably larger, weighing in at 46.7 MB.
Double click the downloaded executable to run the software and you’ll be presented with Trend Micro ATK’s minimalistic interface:
The default is set to “Quick” scan the system. So, if you want to run a “Full” system scan or scan a particular folder or connected drive, you’ll need to go into “Settings” and set up your preferred scan options first:
A full scan of my Windows 8.1 system took around 80 minutes to completion, so it is pretty comprehensive. The result… nil infections of course… I keep a tidy house. 🙂
Anti-Threat Toolkit detects and removes a variety of malware, including viruses, trojans, rootkits, spyware, and rogue programs. Identified malware will be listed in the interface at scan’s completion with options to display additional details, fix issues that were found, and to scan again.
Bottom Line
It’s always a good idea to have more than one scanner/remover telling you that your machine is clean, especially following a known infection. Trend Micro ATK comes from an experienced and reputable security vendor, plus it’s one of very few of these types of tools that’s portable. Definitely one for the toolbox.
- Downloads available direct from Trend Micro here: http://esupport.trendmicro.com/solution/en-us/1059509.aspx
UPDATE (10th October)
In response to a comment from reader Dan, here are a couple of screenshots showing ATK’s results – of course, my machine is clean so in this case there was no malware to report:
Clicking on the “More Details” link opens the following:
Can I have both this and Malwarebytes installed on my PC.
Sure can. Trend Micro ATK is PORTABLE, which means it doesn’t require installation.
Most of these types of scanner/removers, which do not include any real time protection, are compatible with one another.
Jim,
I am amazed that MalwareBytes still rates a mention after the negative involvement with Perion, when MWB did not remove crappy toolbars from several client’s computers.
I have been using Emsisoft since I removed the paid version of MalwareBytes, and I am aware that Emsisoft does not get the same ‘air time’ as MWB, although their regular newsletters give an insight into the latest scams, etc;
Lots of people also think that Norton is the best anti-virus product on the planet.
I agree that MWB has moved up the ladder quite a way, but the team at Emsisoft excel in client assistance.
Regards,
Jonno.
Jim:
Please clarify Avinash’s comment: Do I need to disable my Avast a/v software before running MB’s ATK? i.e., will there be a conflict if they run simultaneously (as there is with other a/v software)?
Thanks,
Dan
No Dan, you don’t need to disable Avast, ATK is merely a scanner/remover, it does not conflict with any other security software.
Thanks for the reaffirmation.
BTW, for the past 2 days your link to download it has been down but no doubt it will be working just fine by the time you get this reply (which is why I sent it :-).
Also, do you know if Malwarebytes can be run with Avast ? One of the DCT articles (Richard Pedersen?) said the pro version could be so I was just wondering.
Thanks again,
Dan
Hmm, the site is still down. Here’s an alternative link: https://spnsupport.trendmicro.com/
Richard is correct, MBAM Pro can be run alongside Avast without issues. In fact, MBAM can be sucessfully run alongside most AVs. Occasionally, there may be conflicts but these can be overcome quite simply via the exclusions list.
Here is a list of AVs which have been tested to run alongside MBAM with zero conflicts (you’ll see Avast right at the top of the list): http://data-cdn.mbamupdates.com/v1/docs/compatibility/data/AV_Compatibility_Testing_Report-13081201.pdf
Thanks, Jim. What I recall from Richard’s article I thought only the Pro version that would not conflict with other a/v software.
dan
Hi Jim,
I was finally able to download, install, and ‘successfully’ run the (64 bit) “computers with Internet connection” (DOS screen opened) version. Two hours later it finished and created a zip file with meaningless entries. I was expecting some kind of ‘txt’ or ‘pdf’ report summarizing all the files it was examining but none was to be found.
When you ran your version how were you able to interpret the results? Perhaps you can provide a sample report?
Thanks again,
Dan
Dan, I think you may have downloaded the wrong file. Sounds like you downloaded the version which “collects” data and then saves it to a zip file with an option to send the report to Trend Micro Support. You need the version that scans and cleans.
In the correct version, at the end of the scan the report will be displayed right there in the program’s interface with a link to view “More Details”. At least, that’s what is happening for me.
I’ve now updated the article to include a couple of additional screenshots showing the results windows, you’ll see them at the bottom of the article under “Update”.
I downloaded the program, but it hijacked my existing Anti-Virus program. It was a nightmare to remove. Not recommended.
A nightmare to remove? It is PORTABLE, as in doesn’t require any installation. You obviously have very little to no idea how these things work Kirsten, so, instead of making some totally misguided recommendation, perhaps you’d be better off seeking assistance.
We are always happy to help out. 🙂