The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group
Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus 7
Bernadette Houghton
 bernieh@iaccess.com.au

Anti-virus programs are a boring but vital part of safe computing. If you value your data and your time, you definitely need a reliable means of routing viruses before they can do any damage. There are quite a few anti-virus programs on the market now, with Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus being very well regarded.

How it works

Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus attacks the virus problem from several fronts:

  • Before you even install the program, there is an S.O.S. diskette to check your machine and disinfect it if necessary. The diskette is bootable, so if you're already in panic mode, or a virus has disabled your operating system, S.O.S. will come to the rescue. S.O.S.'s primary purpose is to check the boot and partition sector, but it also does a rudimentary file scan of your hard disk.
  • VirusGuard loads into memory during bootup and keeps a beady eye out for viruses while you're in DOS mode. It warns you if it finds anything suspicious, and blocks access to the iffy files. VirusGuard doesn't actually clean out any viruses; it just tells you about them so you can manually invoke FindVirus to disinfect your machine.
  • WinGuard keeps tabs on your computer while in Windows (including DOS sessions under Windows). In default mode it intercepts executables, macros and assorted program files as you access them. You can extend its reach by enabling various scanning options; Scan on Writes, for example, will scan files you've just downloaded or decompressed. WinGuard will automatically clean any infected files without your intervention, if you choose.
  • FindVirus is a manual scanner which you invoke as needed. It can scan network connections and searches not only for a long list of known viruses - 15129 at the time of writing - but can also monitor your system for unknown ones. Currently, FindVirus can locate viruses inside ten different types of compressed files. If you're in Explorer, you can also invoke it from the right-click menu for quick scanning of drives and directories.
  • Regular viruses updates are available, with your first update being free of charge. After this, an Automatic Protection Plan provides monthly updates upon subscription. WinGuard reminds you each month to install an update.

Considered individually, each of Dr Solomon's defences has its strengths and weaknesses; for example, WinGuard can't scan for unknown viruses, and VirusGuard doesn't intercept as many viruses as WinGuard and FindVirus. When VirusGuard, WinGuard and FindVirus work in concert, however, they offer a high level of protection. You can choose the best mix of defences to suit your own computer setup and working habits; if you have no network or Internet connection, for instance, you may prefer just to invoke FindVirus as needed.

If you do encounter a virus and need more help than is contained within the program, Dr Solomon's Software offers free 24-hour emergency telephone support (Melbourne number).


Figure 1. FindVirus' main screen


Figure 2. FindVirus in action


Figure 3. Configuring FindVirus


Figure 4. Configuring WinGuard

Assessment

Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus starts protecting your computer as soon as you install it, but you'll probably need to customise it to suit your particular working habits. Mostly this is straight-forward, but some users may find it a little confusing. For example, you configure FindVirus from two different places - the main program from the pull-down menu on the opening screen, and right-click scans from the Control Panel. Since both methods offer different options, this could puzzle some users. I also couldn't configure VirusGuard until I had visited Dr Solomon's Web pages (http://www. drsolomon.com) and discovered its command-line options. Mostly, however, the manual and help files offer clear and well-detailed assistance.

I encountered a couple of operational problems, not the least of which was difficulty getting in touch with Dr Solomon's Software for assistance - neither their documented Technical Support fax number nor e-mail address were working. Hopefully, they have since addressed these hitches in their communications.

Problems I encountered

  • The S.O.S. diskette is a bootable 3.5-inch floppy, and my A: drive happens to be the old favourite, 5.25-inch. Because the S.O.S. files are too large to copy across to a 1.2 MB diskette, I had to open my machine and swap my floppy drive cables. Having done this, my problems continued. To cut a very long story short, it seems that if you use disk management software to access larger hard disks, you'll need to load the drivers onto the S.O.S. diskette. But then again, if you have an older BIOS like I do (circa 1993), it is possible that S.O.S. will still refuse to work. Let me hasten to add, however, that S.O.S. worked like a charm on two other machines I tried it on.
  • I could neither register online, nor download my free virus update. Dr Solomon's Software are on top of this problem, though, and have alternative arrangements for such cases. They'll either mail you the update or offer you a Web address from which you can download it manually.
Apart from these problems, Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus appeared to work well. Luckily for me, but unfortunately for the sake of this review, my system is strappingly healthy - not a blue glimmer of a virus in sight. So while I can't specifically claim that Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus actually does find and rout viruses, I can say that it is a fairly straight-forward, yet comprehensive virus-scanning program, with a very good reputation. Its simple interface belies its power, and its multi-pronged defences monitor your computer unobtrusively, and with little apparent effect on performance.

Reprinted from the February 1998 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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