Re: Virus & re-format

"JoJo" <swiftTrades@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:exfUcjehJHA.4016@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello:

Hello.

I am using a windows 2000 desktop platform. Recently my machine picked up
a
bunch of viruses. So first I run my antivirus software.

Antivirus software should run *before* exposure to malware.
Prevention is far superior to cleanup (which is often incomplete).

* When I re-format a hard disk, does this ensure that all viruses are
absolutely removed ?

All file infecting viruses on the drive will be gone. There are other
kinds of malware, and those parts of them that involve files will be
removed. Boot sector infectors and file system infectors would be
addressed by repartitioning and overwriting the boot sector code.

* Can viruses hide in the Master Boot Record (MBR) - or elsewhere on
the
hard Drive - and if so will re-formatting/re-partitioning remove viruses
from the MBR, etc ?

Yes, for malware in general. As for viruses, I'm not sure they can
work with modern OSes as they must be recursive replicators.

* What is the best FREE anti-virus software out there ?

Things change, and the *best* is a subjective thing anyway.

I use Avast! and AntiVir on separate computers. Have used
AVG before as well. AVG seems to have fallen from favor
recently (bloat is the complaint IIRC).

What OS?
What is the value of your data?
What do you use the computer for?

Opinions vary, but information like this can be helpful for getting
informed answers.


.

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