Frequently Asked Questions
Which web browsers are compatible with the ESET Online Scanner?
ESET Online Scanner implemented as an ActiveX control, and requires Internet Explorer 5.0 or later. Compatibility with other browsers (Firefox, Opera, Netscape, etc.) was added. The only thing you have to do is to agree to the installation of ESET Smart Installer, an application, which will install and launch ESET Online Scanner in a new browser window.
Do I need administrator privileges when launching ESET Online Scanner under Windows Vista or Windows 7?
When running under Windows Vista or Windows 7 the ESET Online Scanner switches automatically to administrator privileges when clicking on the "Start" button.
If the ESET Online Scanner is unable to run even when using Administrator privileges. It is possible, that a third-party security software prevents ESET Online Scanner from running by setting up a so-called "killbit". To avoid this problem use regedit.exe, where under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{7530BFB8-7293-4D34-9923-61A11451AFC5}
you delete the value "Compatibility Flags" REG_DWORD 0x00000400.
Why does the ESET Online Scanner run slowly on my computer?
If you have other antivirus, antispyware or antimalware programs running on your computer, they may intercept the scan being performed by the ESET Online Scanner and hinder performance. You may wish to disable the real-time protection components of your other security software before running the ESET Online Scanner. Remember to turn them back on after you are finished.
What is the difference between the ESET Online Scanner and ESET NOD32 Antivirus?
The ESET Online Scanner is a program which runs in your web browser and can check for and remove malware. It is not configurable, and cannot prevent your computer from being infected by malware. ESET NOD32 Antivirus is ESET's antimalware program, which is highly-configurable, offers multiple layers of protection against malware and can prevent your computer from being infected.
How do I uninstall the ESET Online Scanner components from my computer?
After every scan an option to uninstall ESET Online Scanner with all its components is provided. It is easy, convenient and can be done directly via the graphic user interface by clicking on the corresponding checkbox and hitting the "uninstall on close" button.
To remove the ESET Online Scanner components from your computer, start the Add or Remove Programs (filename: appwiz.cpl) applet from Control Panel, select the ESET Online Scanner entry and click Remove. A restart may be required to complete uninstallation.
Manual Uninstall: Run the Online Scanner Uninstaller (filename: OnlineScannerUninstaller.exe) program, located in the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory on computers running 32-bit (x86) editions of Microsoft Windows and in the C:\WINDOWS\SYSWOW64 directory on computers running 64-bit (x64) editions of Microsoft Windows.
Does the ESET Online Scanner include anti-rootkit technology?
Yes, ESET Online Scanner now includes anti-stealth — ESET's well known anti-rootkit technology used also in ESET Smart Security and ESET NOD32 Antivirus. To obtain a full feature 30-day trial version of these products please click here.
Why are infected files in quarantine after the scan?
All infiltrations and infected files are moved into the quarantine by default. Files in quarantine no longer represent a threat for your computer, because they are reliably isolated from all parts of the operating system. The user can choose either to restore selected files or delete the quarantine.
Warning!
Restore files from quarantine only if you are sure that it is not malware or an infected file.
What are the equivalent options in NOD32 to the ESET Online Scanner?
The ESET Online Scanner performs scanning as NOD32 does with the following options: /ADWARE, /AH, /ALL, /ARCH+, /MAILBOX+, /PACK+, /SCANBOOT-, /UNSAFE and /UNWANTED.
Does the ESET Online Scanner work in Microsoft Windows Vista?
Yes, the ESET Online Scanner work in Windows Vista, provided you first start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
Does the ESET Online Scanner work with 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows?
Yes, the ESET Online Scanner works with x64 (AMD64 and EMT64) versions of Microsoft Windows—it does not work with Itanium (IA64) versions of Microsoft Windows. The ESET Online Scanner is a 32-bit application, which means it must be run in the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer, and as an Administrator (see Q7, above). To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer (32-bit) icon in the Start Menu and select 'Run as administrator' from the context menu.
Does the ESET Online Scanner work in Microsoft Windows Server 2003?
No, currently the ESET Online Scanner does not work with Windows Server 2003.
What are Potentially Unwanted Applications?
Potentially Unwanted Applications are programs that are not necessarily malicious, but may affect the performance, reliability or behavior of your computer. Such applications usually require consent for installation. Often computers will function differently after Potentially Unwanted Applications have been installed. Typical changes include:
- New windows with advertisements or warning messages which you have not previously seen appear on your computer.
- New processes are installed and run on your computer—often, they are hidden or masked to prevent casual discovery.
- The computer responds slowly or displays error messages when performing normal operations that previously worked correctly. This change is often due to increased use of system resources by the Potentially Unwanted Application.
- Changes in search results
- You may notice your computer making unusual connections in order to transmit your web-browsing habits or other metadata to remote servers, and to download advertisements and search results based on this information.
NOTE: Removing Potentially Unwanted Applications may cause other programs that came with them to behave erratically or no longer work.
What are Potentially Unsafe Applications?
There are many legitimate programs which serve to simplify the administration of networked computers. However, in the wrong hands, they may be misused for malicious purposes. This is why ESET has created this special category. Our clients now have the option to choose whether the antivirus system should or should not detect such threats."Potentially unsafe applications" is the classification used for commercial, legitimate software. This classification includes programs such as remote access tools, password-cracking applications, and keyloggers (a program recording each keystroke a user types).
If you find that there is a potentially unsafe application present and running on your computer (and you did not install it), please consult your network administrator or remove the application.
How can I view the log file from ESET Online Scanner?
The ESET Online Scanner saves a log file after running, which can be examined or sent in to ESET for further analysis. The path to the log file is "C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt". You can view this file by navigating to the directory and double-clicking on it in Windows Explorer, or by copying and pasting the path specification above (including the quotation marks) into the Start > Run dialog box from the Start Menu on the desktop.
Can I select the destination of the scan?
Yes, the new version of ESET Online Scanner provides an option, where you can set the destination of the scan. The option can be found under Additional Settings.
