Mike's PCjr Page

What strategy are you using for Virus prevention/detection? There seem to be very limited options for DOS virus detection and none that I found will work on anything less than a 386. The programs I have found are VirScan, a German DOS scanner, Dr. Web, a Russian Antivirus software company that makes a DOS version and F-Prot, which is discontinued but had an update as late as 2009. I am Leery of the Russian product, Dr. Web. VirScan, the German product, is nice and I was able to stumble through the German directions. VirScan is available at http://roseswe.ez-web.de/

Scanning the files with a windows scanner may not be effective. Copying the files over to a modern machine and then scanning them in a DOSBox window with a DOS scanning program seems to be the only option available. That does not help with hidden files and boot sector viruses.

Way back when, I used to use a program on my 286 laptop called ViruCide Plus. I don't know if it would still be useful today, though, if you could even find a copy.

Oh, interesting. I just stumbled across this site on a search, and I didn't remember this, but apparently ViruCide was licensed from McAfee:

http://www.danielsays.com/ss-gallery-do ... e-224.html

I wonder if it was really just VirusScan with a name change, then?

If you look around you should still be able to find F-Secure for DOS in older archives (simtel?) Also, IBM PC DOS 2000 has a built-in virus scanner and the definitions are likely to be current through 1994.

If you're looking for a modern, updated, virus scanner for DOS, such a beast does not exist. I trust my windows scanner to catch things because nearly everything I do with vintage machines goes through my windows machine (both to and from them).

Actually there are at least two current DOS virus scanners available. One is from Germany and one is from Russia. I have been using the German one but not on the PCjr as it requires a 386+ processor. What I have been doing, besides scanning new files, is copying the files from the PCjr onto a modern computer via the network and then scanning them in a DOSBox Window. It is in German but the technical terms are close enough that I can figure it out. The URL is above.

F-Prot updated their DOS version until 2009. It also requires a 386+