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    Vista x64 - firefox d/l a file says virus scanning. What program is it using?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by passive101, Mar 13, 2009.

  1. passive101

    passive101 Notebook Deity

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    I have firefox 3 and Vista x64. When I download a file it tells me it is virus scanning it. It said this before I installed a virus scanner.

    I now have AVG installed and it says the same thing. Is there a way to be sure AVG is always virus scanning it when the files are being downloaded?
     
    passive101, Mar 13, 2009
    #1
  2. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Much like you could do in WindowsXP, you should be able to go to your Security Center and select the option to choose AVG as your default scanner, not the one that comes natively with Vista.
     
    garetjax, Mar 13, 2009
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  3. martee

    martee Notebook Evangelist

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    Firefox has its own virus scan which scans downloaded files.
    It is independent from other scanners or AVs.

    You can choose to scan the files by AVG yourself anytime
    you want, but it will scan these files on the go, while you
    downloading them.
     
    martee, Mar 13, 2009
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  4. passive101

    passive101 Notebook Deity

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    I just went through the firefox settings, but I do not see an option for a virus scanner.
     
    passive101, Mar 13, 2009
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  5. martee

    martee Notebook Evangelist

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    martee, Mar 13, 2009
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  6. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

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    When you have Windows Defender, that's what is used; FF checks programs listed in your Windows Security Center.
    Firefox does NOT have it's own virus scanner.
    If you mind this feature, it can be disabled by entering about:config in the FF adress bar, then you'll have to change the value at; browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone;false.
    Cheers.

    Darn, late reply...
     
    Baserk, Mar 13, 2009
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  7. passive101

    passive101 Notebook Deity

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    I don't mind the feature. I was just hoping I could have AVG scan it instead as I trust AVG more.
     
    passive101, Mar 13, 2009
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  8. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

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    If you have AVG installed, then AVG will be used (in the background) by FF to scan your downloads.
    Only when no AV is installed, Windows Defender is used.
     
    Baserk, Mar 13, 2009
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  9. xenon2k9

    xenon2k9 Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm using XP without Defender and I still get this message, although it does absolutely nothing. I tried downloading a benign test virus and it didn't pick it up. Oh well.
     
    xenon2k9, Mar 13, 2009
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  10. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    amen to that, i dislike incorrect information.........
     
    nobscot6, Mar 13, 2009
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  11. martee

    martee Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm sorry guys.....looks like I was wrong about Firefox built in scanner.

    I still don't understand why FF scanned downloaded files, while my
    Defender was turned off and I didn't have my AV installed, yet. That's
    really weird.

    Anyway, looks to me, you are right.....
     
    martee, Mar 14, 2009
    #11
  12. entropy.cz

    entropy.cz Notebook Evangelist

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    just a note regarding concretely AVG - if the file is not bigger than the limit you've set in the WebShield component (200 kB by default, can be changed), it's scanned even before FF starts downloading the file.
     
    entropy.cz, Mar 14, 2009
    #12