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Check a file for virus / malware

Hi, I think I might have a virus or malware and my computer. I am using AVG antivirus the free addition. I don't know how good this program is. I need to check some files that I have to see if they have a virus or malware.

is there a website I can go to to check the file? The file size is quite large. Can you recommend some other good free antivirus software?
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Thomas Zucker-Scharff
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Most people who think they have a virus don't.  If the virus is extorting money from you you do.  If a program is crashing or you don't know what a file is, it's VERY PROBABLY *NOT* a virus.  Why do you think you have one?
I agree with Thomas, I have used VirusTotal for years and if it is a know large file, you don't actually upload it, it just submits the hash. Just remember that it only uses the definition detection of AVs (last time I checked it used 54 different ones), not the heuristic features.
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ASKER

Thank you very much for the information. I do appreciate it.  sorry I didn't respond earlier.

 I will try to upload to virus total as suggested.

I went to malwarebytes ( before posting this question) and I tried to scan the computer and it will not scan online I have tried this many times in ie and firefox.  I also cant perform a scan within my installed antivirus AVG.  i have heard that  if your antivirus will not scan then you likely have either a virus or malware.  

 Knowing that i can not scan either online or in AVG, does it seem as though I have a virus or malware?
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btan

Scan the machine via CD (preboot with CD) or ran the scan in safe mode. Suggest better to do scanning using the actual tool instead of doing it online.. in case you are interested
http://www.sarducd.it/rescue-cd-antivirus.html
http://cleanbytes.net/malware-online-scanners
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ASKER

Btan, thank you.  I actually did try to scan in safe mode too to no avail.  I have not tried to boot on a CD tho.  I have win 10.  I am not so sure how I would boot on a CD since I do not have a boot CD but this seems like a great idea.

Any suggestions how I could boot on a CD if I dont have one?
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ASKER

Thank you. My computer is now "scanning and repairing" the C:
So what virus did you have?  Or did you have one?  Even if things were found, they probably weren't doing what you think they were.

Consider that in the late 90's virus writers did so to be annoying.  Now, they do so to make money.  They extort you with malware that encrypts, or they phish you to get your financial / identity information, or they infect your computer and do so while trying HARD not to mess things up because they want your machine to act as a soldier in their DoS army - and if they cause problems, you'll remove their software and soldier!

Lots of people who don't understand the technology and economics of viruses think they have a virus when they really just have a problem with their computer that needs fixing... something got corrupt.
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ASKER

Hi, i dont know if I have a virus now.  I assume its probably not a virus after reading your post above.  

Right now, my pc is "trying to repair the C" (in lamens terms...i forgot exactly the message).  I hope it fixes whatever its trying to fix but its been in this phase for 5 hours.  Once it boots, i will try to navigate to some of those websites mentioned in post and hope can scan to see what it is I have.
For the multi boot cd, you can check out tutorial http://www.sarducd.it/tutorial and you need to download the  iso before downloading the AV images.

But actually each AV should have their rescue CD that does this preboot CD scan too. Better to consult your AV installed. Invest a dedicated comprehensive one (besides AV) in view for long term use if you doing it beyond just surfing and home use ...do your backup too.
This could be a virus.  It could also be a corrupt file system or a failing hard disk.

We don't quite have enough information to make that call.  For example that trying to repair message could be the OS trying to repair itself of trying to fix the file system.

If you have a failing hard disk (or you think you could have one) then download the UBCD http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/  This is an ISO file you write to a CD and boot from (the disk you make is bootable) and then find the appropriate util to test your hard disk.  Note that you write this file as an image and NOT a file to CD -- if you don't know what that means then DEFINITELY ask or you'll waste a bland CD.
I've used and reviewed them all. For a long time I was a big SARDU person, I now use easy2boot exclusively.   For multiboot devices, easy2boot is the best I've seen.  If you are interested in multiboot utilities, check out my article comparing them and yumi at

https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/14419/Comparison-of-Multiboot-Software-utilities-SARDU-vs-YUMI.html
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ASKER

Dbrunton:   I do have the I SO written to the DVD. It does say it is an image file. I think it means that it is an image file I guess  even though it is a file that is written to the DVD.  

 I made a boot disk according to his script that I found online for windows 10. I wrote all of the files to these DVD.  I power down the computer then turned it on using escape and the power button (as prescribed) and chose to boot from Dvd and it did not boot from the DVD. I did see a selection for hit any key to boot from DVD and it did not work. I did this a few times.   I even got a message stating that the DVD wasn't a bootable device (i did make the boot dvd sucessfully tho)

 I am now thinking that I just need to reinstall windows with this.ISO file. I think I am supposed to use this ISO file to reinstall windows. If you have any tips installing with this ISO kindly let me know. I think I might try to do this tonight.  

I do plan on scanning online though at some of those websites in the post. I don't have Wi-Fi on my computer right now though ( sending from my phone)
>>  I wrote all of the files to these DVD.  

There should be only ONE file written to the DVD or CD.  And it is NOT written as a file to the DVD but as an image.

User generated image
This is a copy of the burning application I use.  On the top left is the option for writing an image to CD (or DVD).  On the top right is the option for writing files to CD (or DVD).  If you choose an option similar to the one on the top right you do NOT end up with a bootable CD (or DVD).  If you choose the top left option you get the right disk.
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ASKER

Hi, thank you for your response.   I have attached an image of what is on the DVD in regards to the ISO file. I hope it's clear. It does say it is an image file if you look towards the right in the file description.

It sure seems like Windows has gotten a lot more complicated over the years.  It's almost the same as how automobiles of gotten more complicated. You can't even change the oil now unless you really know what you're doing or even spark plugs.

User generated image
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ASKER

Wow, I thought that picture would be more clear than that
It is clear once you blow it up.  Studying it now.
No, you've written it as a file and not an image to the DVD.

Download IMGBurn 2.57  http://www.oldapps.com/imgburn.php?old_imgburn=7480  Must be version 2.57.  Nothing later.  Install it and start it up.

Choose the Write image file to disk option as shown in the graphic above.  Navigate to where Windows.iso is and select that.

See http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?/topic/61-how-to-write-an-image-file-to-a-disc-using-imgburn/ for tutorial as well.
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ASKER

Here is a picture of the files that are on the disk in regards to a boot disk for windows 10. It seems like the files are written to the DVD. I did follow the instructions on how to make a Windows DVD and windows did tell me that the boot files were written successfully to the DVD
User generated image
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ASKER

That picture is a lot clearer on my phone. Thank you for let me know that the ISO file is not an image file. That's a shame. Well maybe I won't need it after I go online and scan the computer. I hope at least the boot disk DVD is correct because I know I followed the instructions
The ISO file is an image file.  Think of it as a compressed file that when written to the DVD expands out and fills everything up.

Once it is has been written to disk it looks like the file system in your second graphic.

But if you write it as a file to disk then only one file gets written to disk.  You must write it as an image file (could be ISO, BIN, CUE or other names) to disk with the right burning application.
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ASKER

Thank you very much for your help. I really appreciate it. I will see how far long I can get with this today. I do have a flight to catch though. Again I really appreciate your help and kindness.