G AS freezes during scan

Giant AntiSpyware freezes and stops responding during spyware scan and inocculation at this point
polymorphic browser hijack scan

Does anyone know why?

ThanX

Born

Please note I have the latest definition version 5715

 

Guys could this be because I am using a Host file (from Bluetack)?

because I have had problems trying to install Spy Sweeper beta 4 and found out from another thread that Spyware Sweeper can't handle large Host files. I'm wondering if this is the case with Giant aswell?

 

was reading somewhere that MS AS (same as giant) scanner has a conflict issue with spywareguard, and another program (can't remember which) when cleaning spyware. Something to do with being unable to clean the registry entry of the spyware do to SG and whichever other program it was.

 

Im having the same problem as well. No one answered my thread, glad to see I am not alone.

 

The problem was the Hosts file in my case. Now before I run the spyware scan I rename the hosts file and rename it back afterwards. Hope this helps anyone else with the prob.

ThanX for the replies

Born

 

I had a major issue with this Polymorphic browser hijack scan freeze in M$AS Beta 1 ... you might be interested in this thread at the CNet forums:

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=102655&messageID=1177167

It had to do with the size of my HOSTS file, I think, but more importantly, it hosed my TCP/IP stack - see the interesting "fix" (m$ knowledge based artice pre SP2 ... and I have SP2)

 

Some interesting finds there guys. I have the same problem as I use Hpguru's HOSTS file and have the freeze at the same exact spot.

Its a shame that this happens they need to fix this, as well as Counterspy. Neither program seems to recognize any changes to a large HOSTS file as well, something they are both supposed to be watching as resident protection.

 

I'm using the licensed Giant AS version with Windows XP-SP2, P4 2.6 ghertz.

When using the large HOSTS files such as HPGuru's file with 40000+ entries, Giant AS takes about 7 minutes to conduct the polymorphic scan. During this period, things appear to be stalled, but they are not. It does complete and then scans the registry as the final part of the scan. The total scan of about 150,000 total files on the C:\ drive is 12-13 minutes.

It may just be a matter of "patience" with CounterSpy and MS AS when it comes to the polymorphic part of the scan.

Because I am currently using V4 of Spy Sweeper now and V4 cannot even properly install with a large HOSTS file such HPGuru's, I am using the MVPs HOSTs file of about 10000 entries. Giant AS completes the polymorphic scan in about 15 seconds and the total scan in about 5 minutes.

 

siliconman01,

Thanks for your post. I too noticed the same thing upon further testing. However I am just running Counterspy and not MSAS anymore.

Counterspy does not hang, but does seem to have a problem with recognizing any changes to a large HOSTS file, the same as MSAS.

I have mine set to read only so it "should not" be a problem. Hopefully the final version of MSAS or an upcoming verison of CS will take care of this problem.

 

One thing I noticed that M$ did to remedy the frequent embarrassing hits it was getting for "polymorphic browser hijack scan" on goggle ... was to change the name ... lol, now it hangs on "variable browser hijack scan" ...

btw, with the newest M$AS build, there are a lot of update issues ... I had to uninstall it. I get some free anti-spyware apps from my ISP, so I won't be using M$'s program anymore ... free or not.