Antivirus taking 10+ Hours To Scan

[HolyOne]

Well, my antivirus is scheduled to run a complete scan every day at 9:00 PM. Typically, this scan takes around an hour or so to complete every day. However, over the past two days, it's taken over 10 hours, and just this morning, it was over 11 hours and it still had not completed.

So basically my question is, is this indicative of malware or something else? Thanks.

[HolyOne]

I just ran a quick scan with MBAM, and it showed that the file boot.ini is a Trojan.Agent. I quarantined it and then remembered what boot.ini really is, and restored it. Guessing this is a false positive.

If it's restored, I won't need to rebuild it yes?

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.34

Database version: 1783

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2

2/21/2009 8:43:42 AM

mbam-log-2009-02-21 (08-43-42).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan

Objects scanned: 49510

Time elapsed: 19 minute(s), 43 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0

Memory Modules Infected: 0

Registry Keys Infected: 0

Registry Values Infected: 0

Registry Data Items Infected: 0

Folders Infected: 0

Files Infected: 1

Memory Processes Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:

\boot.ini (Trojan.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes it should be a false positive. Please update MBAM as it is at 1785 defs right now.

Doing a FULL SCAN, ALL FILES on a large drive can take many hours to do and typically should not need to be done very often.

Having a daily normal scan that checks the typical attack areas is a much more normal type scan and should complete in well under an hour on most systems.

[HolyOne]

Well the problem is that this scan typically took, like you said, about an hour every day to complete. All of a sudden, it's ballooned to over 11 hours.

[GT500]

Try clearing out temp files, and turning off any other security software while running the scan.

[AdvancedSetup]

And possibly a Disk Check.

You may have corrupted files on your disk. Please try running the following.

First close ALL Applications as this routine will automatically restart your computer.

Click on START - RUN and copy / paste the following entry into the box and click OK

CMD /C ECHO Y|CHKDSK C: /F | SHUTDOWN /R /T 30

[HolyOne]

@ GT: I ran CCleaner prior to a scan, still no luck.

@ AdvancedSetup: I pasted that like you said and let it run. Nothing appeared apart from the command console followed shortly by a reboot.

[GT500]

Turn off any other security software you have, and see if that helps.

[AdvancedSetup]

@ AdvancedSetup: I pasted that like you said and let it run. Nothing appeared apart from the command console followed shortly by a reboot.

Video drivers and Anti-Virus, Malware, Security tools can also prevent the CHECK DISK from taking place.

[DaChew]

my antivirus is scheduled to run a complete scan every day at 9:00 PM

What antivirus is that?

[HolyOne]

Turn off any other security software you have, and see if that helps.

The only other Security Software that would be running at the time would be my firewall, Comodo Firewall Pro. I disabled it prior to running the scan - didn't change anything.

What antivirus is that?

Webroot Spy Sweeper with Antispyware.

I think it's trash, but my dad bought it because it was cheap. Once the subscription ends in a couple months, going to go with a legit AV like Kaspersky.

[AdvancedSetup]

You might shut off the interface to the program, but the drivers are set to load on boot which means they ALWAYS run and can still prevent it from running.

Look in the SERVICES applet and see if you can set all of the Comodo and other Security software ONLY to Disabled (while disconnected from the Internet) and then try shutting down for a few minutes and then restarting to see if CHKDSK will run.

[GT500]

Webroot Spy Sweeper with Antispyware.

I think it's trash, but my dad bought it because it was cheap. Once the subscription ends in a couple months, going to go with a legit AV like Kaspersky.

Make sure you turn off SpySweeper before running a scan, as it can interfere more than most AV programs.

Also note that SpySweeper is not an anti-virus, and that you should check out AntiVir from Avira. It's free for personal use.

[HolyOne]

Sorry about the ridiculously late reply guys, I've just been extremely busy and have had next to no time available for getting on the computer.

You might shut off the interface to the program, but the drivers are set to load on boot which means they ALWAYS run and can still prevent it from running.

Look in the SERVICES applet and see if you can set all of the Comodo and other Security software ONLY to Disabled (while disconnected from the Internet) and then try shutting down for a few minutes and then restarting to see if CHKDSK will run.

I ran the CHKDSK, and it detected one error. Something to do with a 'cluster' or something that it corrected.

Make sure you turn off SpySweeper before running a scan, as it can interfere more than most AV programs.

Also note that SpySweeper is not an anti-virus, and that you should check out AntiVir from Avira. It's free for personal use.

Sorry, it's Webroot AntiVirus - not SpySweeper.

I've also noticed the following recently:

- It's not just my Antivirus that takes longer to scan, MBAM is taking a lot longer as well. The quick scan took over 20 minutes, where it used to take around 5. Things like CCleaner are also taking a bit longer than usual.

- I notice immense slowdown when installing programs. For example, I was updating iTunes, and not only did the installation take forever, it seemed to stall several times throughout.

[exile360]

It sounds like either there's an issue with your chipset drivers, or, more likely (unfortunately), your hard drive is failing. It could also be caused by a loose cable connected to your hard drive. Either way, if I were you I'd start backing up my important files and write down my license keys for any important software.

Is the hard drive making any noticable clicking or grinding sounds? If so, this can be a sign of physical failure.

[AdvancedSetup]

Well it could be a hard drive getting ready to fail, but take a look at the following and see if any of it helps at all.

Computer and browser slowness are not always malware related

Poor performance and other problems can be the result of disk fragmentation, disk errors, corrupt system files, too many startup programs, unnecessary services running, not enough RAM, dirty hardware, etc. As your system gets older it becomes filled with more files/programs and has a natural tendency to slow down so cleaning and regular maintenance is essential.

Listed below are a few things you can do to improve speed and system performance. Many of the these suggestions will apply if you're using Windows Vista but may be done a bit differently. Near the bottom of this thread there is a section specifically devoted to Vista Users.

For browser problems, see:

• Its not always malware: How to fix the top 10 Internet Explorer issues
  
• How and Why to Clear Your Cache
  

If your having connectivity issues or errors such as Page cannot be displayed see

• Repair/Reset Winsock settings
  
• Troubleshooting Internet Connection Problems
  

If you're using Vista or Internet Explorer 7, see

• Why is my Internet connection so slow?
  
• Windows Vista - My Internet connection is slow
  
• The Phishing Filter may slow down the PC
  
• Tuning IE7 for Better Performance
  
• How to optimize or reset Internet Explorer 7
  

If you have a lot of toolbars and add-ons attached to Internet Explorer, you could try improving performance by disabling those which are unecessary. See:

• Control Internet Explorer Add-ons with Add-on Manager
  
• Troubleshooting and Internet Explorer

[ladypredsfan]

Hmmmm...I started a link for the same problem earlier today - and no replies!

[AdvancedSetup]

I've replied to your post, not the same issue though. Sorry, but I don't review and read all the General posts as there are a lot of other helpers around there that try to get the general support handled.

Thanks.