Virus checking of uploads? - Macintosh Garden

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2009, December 20 - 7:12am

themacmeister

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Joined: 2009 Oct 26

Virus checking of uploads?

I know there were only around 200 viruses ever released for OS 1.0 -> 9.2.2, but I know for a fact that a few of my irreplaceable backups are infected (only 4 or 5 files out of 30 compressed CDs), and I certainly don't want to be responsible for infecting anyone elses computer with Dragons Lair or Super Hang On, or Indy Car Racing - all of which are infected.

I was wondering if:

(a) Any virus checking happens at all?

(b) If we did virus check - what would be the software used (Virex/NAV/Disinfectant or a compination)?

(d) Is there a way to automate this?

Thanks for any replies...

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2009, December 20 - 7:24pm

bertyboy

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Joined: 2009 Jun 14

I run everything I upload (and download) through the last version of Disinfectant, v3.7.1. For Classic OS abandonware, it's just about right.

I also have later (and earlier) versions of NAV, the later versions came with Symantec Tools - which you can all download from here. Symantec Tools also came with a Desktop version of Dantz Retrospect, ideal personal backup software. If you're still running a Classic OS mac, then Norton Backup (part of Norton Utilities v2) is even better.

2009, December 21 - 12:55am

themacmeister

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Joined: 2009 Oct 26

Cant believe Norton Backup could be better than Dantz Retrospect?

But their other Utilities are best in their class!

2009, December 21 - 6:31am

bertyboy

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Joined: 2009 Jun 14

Norton Backup was SO easy to use at a personal level. And for Mac OS 7 to 9.2.2, it just worked. Retrospect always had issues.

It's only when you get to OSX and the Server version of Retrospect, that with a lot of planning and even more prep work, it could be just as easy to use. But it was (v5 and v6) hopelessly unreliable, not what you want in a Backup product, especially at a server level. EMC Retrospect v8 for Mac is meant to be significantly better, but I've spent years getting v5 and v6 working. I may look at it again in the New Year, hopefully all the gotchas will be fixed (ho ho, Dantz never fixed anything in Retrospect, you always had to upgrade to get past a particular bug).

Edit: Replaced 'xxx 7' with 'Mac OS 7' - IIGS User

2009, December 21 - 7:29am

themacmeister

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Joined: 2009 Oct 26

I used Dantz Retrospect Server and Clients on (small) prepress networks, and it performed flawlessly. The only catastrophic mishaps I have encountered was due to a Novell Netware Server losing the entire archive of logos we had, and the "support" team used the two backup DAT tapes to backup the server before trying to fix it. The problem was well known on the internet, and was 1st or 2nd hit on any search engine. I hope the boss sued the sh*t out of those noobs. The other mishap was an IBM AIX server corrupting an entire 24 magazine run of drum scans for OPI. Usually with a one or two pixel line, very very annoying. But as far as Dantz and Retrospect - no issues at all.

Admittedly you need a PHD to work the thing, and PCs and Macs need to be left on indefinitely until the backup is done, and then you need to go from DAT tape to DLT when the data amount overwhelms you!.

2009, December 21 - 7:55am

OSX2000

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Joined: 2009 Sep 29

I caught the nVir A and B viruses on my G4 from something here. Disinfectant disinfected all but 4 files, and Norton AntiVirus cleared out the lot. Complete success.

EDIT: Stuffit Deluxe 1.5.1 is infected with the virus I had. But I never downloaded that, so I caught it from something else.

2009, December 21 - 8:08pm

bertyboy

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Joined: 2009 Jun 14

Retrospect:

That's what I mean by unreliable. The Macs had to be up and running, ie. not asleep. Further, I found Retrospect skipped particular Macs if they were busy with other applications, ie. if more than 2 other apps were running and one was even remotely busy. Grrr.

nVIR: I remember having a program to remove stubborn nVIR virus infections. It usually changed a CODE resource to call the nVIR payload. Most apps were fine if the nVIR resource ("payload") was missing, but many crashed. I had a program that would fix this completely. It's 12,000 miles away just now.

2009, December 24 - 1:59am

themacmeister

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Joined: 2009 Oct 26

I had Virex 5.8 with the latest available signatures, and it caught all my viruses. Unfortunately I do not have access to all the internet updates anymore, but I do have the last NAV, is that really worth installing? and how speedy/efficient is it?

PS. I have a G3 iBook 600MHz 384MB RAM - OS 9.2.2