Virus scanner system and method with integrated spyware detection capabilities
View Patent ↗A system, method and computer program product are provided for scanning for spyware utilizing a virus scanner. In use, at least one computer is scanned for viruses utilizing a virus scanner. Still yet, the computer is further scanned for spyware utilizing the virus scanner. Such computer is scanned for the spyware by scanning a registry associated therewith.
1. A method for scanning for spyware utilizing a virus scanner, comprising:
scanning at least one computer for viruses utilizing a virus scanner; and
scanning the at least one computer for spyware utilizing the virus scanner;
wherein the at least one computer is scanned for the spyware by scanning a registry associated with the at least one computer;
wherein the virus scanner includes a first list of items and a second list of items associated with the at least one computer;
wherein the first list of items includes items associated with the at least one computer which are being scanned;
wherein the second list of items includes items associated with the at least one computer which are capable of being scanned upon the selection thereof;
wherein the selection of an item of the second list associated with the registry moves the item to the first list for allowing the scanning of the registry.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the registry associated with the at least one computer is conditionally scanned based on user input.
3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the virus scanner includes a graphical user interface.
4. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the graphical user interface includes a field for receiving the user input.
5. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the field is displayed in an options menu.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first list of items includes the registry.
7. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the registry includes a location on the at least one computer for storing information selected from a group consisting of hardware that is attached to the at least one computer, system options that have been selected, a configuration of memory of the at least one computer, and application programs to be present when an operating system of the at least one computer is started.
8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the registry includes a location on the at least one computer for storing information including hardware that is attached to the at least one computer, system options that have been selected, a configuration of memory of the at least one computer, and application programs to be present when an operating system of the at least one computer is started.
9. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the items are further selected from a group consisting of local drives, fixed drives, removable drives, network drives, running processes, a user profile folder, and a recycle bin.
10. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the first list of items further includes local drives, fixed drives, removable drives, network drives, running processes, a user profile folder, and a recycle bin.
11. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the second list of items is displayed upon the selection of an icon.
12. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the items of the second list are moved to the first list upon the selection thereof.
13. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein spyware signatures and virus signatures of the virus scanner are updated via a network.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the spyware signatures and the virus signatures of the virus scanner are updated together.
15. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the spyware signatures and the virus signatures of the virus scanner updated simultaneously.
16. A virus scanner graphical user interface system utilizing a computer for scanning for spyware utilizing a virus scanner, comprising:
at least one computer including a graphical user interface for displaying a plurality of options associated with scanning the at least one computer for viruses utilizing a virus scanner, and scanning the at least one computer for spyware utilizing the virus scanner;
wherein the options include an option for scanning a registry associated with the at least one computer to scan for the spyware;
wherein the virus scanner includes a first list of items and a second list of items associated with the at least one computer;
wherein the first list of items includes items associated with the at least one computer which are being scanned;
wherein the second list of items includes items associated with the at least one computer which are capable of being scanned upon the selection thereof;
wherein the selection of an item of the second list associated with the registry moves the item to the first list for allowing the scanning of the registry.
17. A system for scanning for spyware and malware, comprising:
at least one computer including a single application capable of scanning the at least one computer for malware, and scanning the at least one computer for spyware;
wherein the at least one computer is scanned for the spyware by scanning a registry associated with the at least one computer;
wherein the single application includes a first list of items and a second list of items associated with the at least one computer;
wherein the first list of items includes items associated with the at least one computer which are being scanned;
wherein the second list of items includes items associated with the at least one computer which are capable of being scanned upon the selection thereof;
wherein the selection of an item of the second list associated with the registry moves the item to the first list for allowing the scanning of the registry.