The Virus Rescue disks are a valuable tool that can be used to test for malware in instances where your regular antivirus program is no longer functioning. They’re available from a range of antivirus companies and are simple to use, giving users a variety of custom options for how they want the program to scan the system.
Some offer the familiar desktop experience and some provide users with a range of additional utilities. Kaspersky’s Rescue Disk, as an instance, is powered by Xfce Linux and includes Firefox, Thumar File Manager, and a few other applications that are useful for additional purposes. This rescue disk comes with an option that allows you to select specific files for scanning service or indicate if would like it to skip files of an amount of size.
Other rescue disks have less sophisticated interfaces like Trend Micro’s. It doesn’t feature a graphical user interface and navigates using the arrow keys. The simple rescue disc makes up for the lack of features through its size and boasting a great track record of finding malware during AVComparatives’ real-world tests of protection.
ESET’s SysRescue Live is a great option for those who want an easier user interface. It offers one of the best-rounded and polished interfaces on this list. It’s based upon the same antivirus engine that is used in the company’s full-featured program, and its interface is graphical, offering numerous customization options to choose from, such as the option of a smart or custom scan, setting exclusions and selecting whether to run a deep or quick scan.