Scaning Windows with Linux for viruses/malware

[RedhatRiddler]

I just got done watching episode 509, and got to thinking. If its now possible to run Linux and Windows as described in the segment "Ubuntu inside Windows", is there any Linux base antivirus/antimalware daemons that can scan Windows and remove the viruses/malware. I did my google homework and there are several live CD and thumb drive combo tutorials. However Im wondering if there is someway of doing this more efficiently and something specifically designed to do this.

On a side note: It would be a great way to get linux in more homes if it can "save" Windows XD

[digip]

I just got done watching episode 509, and got to thinking. If its now possible to run Linux and Windows as described in the segment "Ubuntu inside Windows", is there any Linux base antivirus/antimalware daemons that can scan Windows and remove the viruses/malware. I did my google homework and there are several live CD and thumb drive combo tutorials. However Im wondering if there is someway of doing this more efficiently and something specifically designed to do this.

On a side note: It would be a great way to get linux in more homes if it can "save" Windows XD

I would just run something like CLAM off a live linux disc. This way no running windows processes can get in the way of the scan and removal of malware.

You could probably just use a live ubuntu disc, then once running, "apt-get install clamav-daemon" and then scan the system.

[RedhatRiddler]

I was just thinking that since Linux can "touch" Windows that maybe there would be a daemon that could run a "rescue" on windows. Obviously if you cant boot Windows this wouldnt work in the same manner. But was curious if anyone knew about other programs that can run virus/malware checks on Windows. Im a "poor mans" tech support for friends and family and hate doing the day long search/remove/restart/search again sessions. Just looking for a way to clean Windows a little easier (as Im sure we all are). I dont have the nessesary programming skills to even attempt try write the program.

[digip]

UBCD4WIN has a lot of tools, like being able to mount and edit the registry to remove rouge keys and startup files, scan for virusses, add and remove users, etc. Its worth a look if you work on a lot of home uers machines and need a safe environment to boot into when tyring to fix their machines. Linux works for a lot of things, but I don't know of any linux tools that let you edit the registry directly and make changes. A Live XP disc ala UBCD4WIN is probably the best tool for that task alone. There are even live Vista discs, although I have not made any myself. You need some extra tools to make a live vista disc, liek their pre-install kit, as where with XP, you can just do it from an already installed system using BartPE or UBCD4WIN.

[RedhatRiddler]

Thank you for the info. Ill look it up. Another reason Im interested is Im about fed up with Microsoft (well have been since Millenium). Im almost completely switched to Linux as my main OS. And it would be nice to show (not just tell) how Linux runs. And not as a novelty with the live CD. If anyone finds a link to anything about using Linux to fix windows please let me know.

Sry if my Penguin is showing XD

Like I said earlier: It would be nice if Linux could come to the rescue of Windows, so people could really see that there is an alternative to Windows.

[digip]

Thank you for the info. Ill look it up. Another reason Im interested is Im about fed up with Microsoft (well have been since Millenium). Im almost completely switched to Linux as my main OS. And it would be nice to show (not just tell) how Linux runs. And not as a novelty with the live CD. If anyone finds a link to anything about using Linux to fix windows please let me know.

Sry if my Penguin is showing XD

Like I said earlier: It would be nice if Linux could come to the rescue of Windows, so people could really see that there is an alternative to Windows.

Well, a linux firewall that scans everything at the network border is a start. They already do this for emails and squid proxy setups, filtering unsafe content from the lan and intranets.

[RedhatRiddler]

Well we're talking about me helping people that call me up and Say "My computer isnt working right/is slow". Add are running one computer so they dont have that option. Hence the "poor man tech support) I put firewalls up on their systems if they dont have them ~shudder~ (Got most to call me b4 they hook their computers to the web now). I know theirs no "cure all" button. But if there was a way to scan a computer with something designed to rescue Windows without paying a ton of money or spending a lot of time or having to reformat (last resort) to get rid of virus/malware. Just figured that maybe someone had atleast thought of the idea and maybe had something working that I could try out, it would be nice.

[VaKo]

Microsoft Fix it is quite useful for fixing computers.

The main problem with Windows is that people ignore updates, don't use an anti-virus and do stupid things when browsing the web. I educated my Mum about these basic things and she has been running Vista on the laptop she bought without an issue for months now. The trick is not to give them the impression that this shit is hard, but to give them the impression that updating your computer and anti-virus is like checking the oil level in your car on a regular basis, something only dumb people don't do. UAC helps as well, if it asks you if you want to do something and you have no idea what its trying to do, then click cancel.

Windows 7 is going to include far more of this stuff and has the recovery environment built into it.

Linux isn't the answer for most people because even Ubuntu, the super-easy distro extraordinaire, is more complex than Windows for the average user. If you want something easy to use, buy a Mac.