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New freeware takes some mystery out of rogue files
Quote:
Wondering about a weird file on your desktop or laptop? Now there's a way for you to solve the mystery -- for free.
Endpoint security provider Bit9 Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., today unveiled a free search engine to identify software files on Windows computers. The freeware is part of a new software launch to help enterprises get a better handle on the proliferation of suspect software that keeps popping up on networks via downloads, such as spyware, to desktops.
"One of the big problems with unsanctioned software is that it can cause a computer to go haywire," said John Hanratty, Bit9's co-founder and current vice president of marketing.
Once the free utility called FileAdvisor is installed, a user can right-click and select from an additional menu item to run a search of Bit9's 250 million file records (and growing). A user need only enter a name or hash to discover what the file likely is and, importantly, whether or not it can be trusted based on who made the file, what the application is, what commercial software packages contain it and how many instances of it are in the marketplace. This is done by matching it against that massive database
charlesvar--Thanks for the heads up.
Based on a quick try, you have to Register and Login in to use File Advisor. Also allow ActiveX controls to run.
Wonder if it is any better/faster/safer than a search on Google.
bit9's pedigree sounds good http://vcdeal.com/vc/vcresearchcente...dealidall=5893
I just remembered a possible alternative.
Let http://virusscan.jotti.org/
scan files about which you are suspicious. It does not provide all the data that File Advisor does, but it is very simple to use and involves no downloading or installation.
