ESET Online Scanner - FAQ

ESET Online Scanner FAQ

Which web browsers are compatible with ESET Online Scanner?
ESET's Online Scanner is implemented as an ActiveX control, so it is best run on Internet Explorer 5.0 or later.
Running the ESET Online Scanner on other browsers, such as Firefox, Opera, Netscape, requires installation of ESET Smart Installer, an application that installs and launches ESET Online Scanner in a new browser window.

Do I need administrator privileges to launch ESET Online Scanner in Windows Vista?
In Windows Vista, ESET's Online Scanner automatically sets administrator privileges after you click the “Start” button.

Why does ESET's Online Scanner run slowly on my computer?
If you have other antivirus, antispyware or antimalware programs running on your computer, they may interfere with the ESET Online Scanner and slow it down. You may prefer to disable any real-time protection components in your other security software before running ESET Online Scanner. Just remember to turn them back on when you're finished!

What is the difference between ESET Online Scanner and ESET Smart Security/ ESET NOD32 Antivirus?
The ESET Online Scanner is an on-demand scanner while ESET Smart Security and ESET Antivirus software proactively protect your computer from being infected in the first place. The ESET Online Scanner runs from your web browser, checks for and (optionally) removes malware. You can't configure it, and it can't prevent your computer from being infected by malware. ESET Smart Security and ESET NOD32 Antivirus are ESET's antimalware programs, which are customizable, offer multiple layers of protection against malware and can prevent your computer from infection.

How do I uninstall ESET Online Scanner components from my computer?
After every scan, you have the option to uninstall the ESET Online Scanner with all its components. It is easy, convenient and can be done via the graphic user interface by clicking the appropriate checkbox and hitting the “uninstall on close” button.

To remove ESET Online Scanner components from your computer manually, go to Add or Remove Programs (filename: APPWIZ.CPL) from the Control Panel, select ESET Online Scanner and click Remove. A restart may be required to complete the uninstallation.

You can also 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 's Online Scanner now includes anti-stealth — ESET´s well known anti-rootkit technology, found in ESET Smart Security and ESET NOD32 Antivirus. 

Why are infected files in quarantine after the scan?
All infiltrations and infected files are moved into quarantine by default. Files in quarantine no longer represent a threat for your computer, because they are isolated from the operating system. You can either restore selected files or delete them from quarantine.
Warning! Please, restore files from quarantine only if you are sure that they are not malware or infected files.

What are the equivalent options in ESET Smart Security/ NOD32 Antivirus to ESET Online Scanner?
The ESET Online Scanner performs scanning the way NOD32 does when you use the following options: /ADWARE, /AH, /ALL, /ARCH+, /MAILBOX+, /PACK+, /SCANBOOT-, /UNSAFE and /UNWANTED.

Does ESET Online Scanner work with Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7?
Yes, ESET Online Scanner works with Windows Vista and Windows 7 without any problems. You just have to start your internet browser with administrator privileges. To do so, simply hit the button “Restart browser as Admin” in ESET Online Scanner or right-click the browser icon in the Start Menu and select "Run as administrator" from the context menu.

Does ESET Online Scanner work with 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows?
Yes. Although The ESET Online Scanner is a 32-bit application, which means it must be run in the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer, as an Administrator (see Q7, above), 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.

What are Potentially Unwanted Applications?
Potentially unwanted applications are not necessarily intended to be malicious, but they may affect your computer's performance. Such applications usually require consent for installation. If they are present on your computer, your system behaves differently (when compared to its behavior before installation). The most significant changes are:

1. New windows you haven’t previously seen may be opened
2. Activation and running hidden processes
3. Increased usage of system resources
4. Changes in search results
5. Application communicates with remote servers

What are Potentially Unsafe Applications?
There are many legitimate programs that serve to simplify 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 users 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 (programs that record 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 ESET Online Scanner log file?
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\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt". You can view this file by navigating to the directory and double-clicking 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 that lets you set the scan destination. This option can be found under Additional Settings.

ESET Online Scanner is unable to run even when using Administrator privileges.
It is possible that a third-party security software program is preventing ESET Online Scanner from running by setting up a so-called “killbit”. To avoid this problem advanced users may use regedit.exe to locate:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{7530BFB8-7293-4D34-9923-61A11451AFC5}
and delete the value "Compatibility Flags" REG_DWORD 0x00000400.