Malware and Backup

[richc46]

When I bought my computer it came with a free subscription to Mcafee Anti Virus.
I used it and was happy with it. When I decided to switch to Microsoft Security Essentials, I made a full scan and to my surprise I found 6 malware and one Trojan.
I quickly put them into quarrantine. Although, I scanned regularly these nasties, were not detected by Mcafee. There is nothing that I could do about that. A shortwhile after that I realized that most of my backups and System Restore points must be contaminated, too since the first malware had a date of 3/10.

Bottom line, at the time that you make a back up or have a scheduled SR point, run an anti virus scan, be sure that all your back ups do not become useless as mine.

 

[Corrine]

Good advice, Rich. (Although, even an infected restore point/backup would be better than having a major problem and not having either to fall back on.)

 

[richc46]

Agreed, what I did was to make another point, ASAP. In addition, I kept my system image, which was on an external hard drive, until the SR point was made. That system image, was probably ok, as it was made as soon as I was validated.

Bit off topic, but I know how cautious I am, and there should not have been a trojan. I am wondering if something was picked up, by MSE, that was part of a respected program.

 

[Corrine]

Hard to say at this point since that was months ago. However, MSE has been pretty good about not having false/positives.

 

[polarbear]

I really like hearing about MSE catching such items when other AV failed to do so... GL

 

[richc46]

Actually, I was questioning the respected program. If MSE were not a Microsoft Product, I may even suspect Windows 7 of reporting back to home base.