There are a lot of different ways to scan the files you download to see if they are clean, but none quite like JottiQ.  JottiQ takes advantage of Jotti’s online malware scanner, which uses multiple popular antivirus programs to scan your files, without having to download or install any of them.

What Is JottiQ?

As I stated above, JottiQ is a tool that makes it more convenient to use Jotti’s malware scan, which is an online service optimized for one-by-one scanning of files you do not trust. If you’re wary of a file you downloaded because you have a strange feeling about the site it came from or you’re just curious, JottiQ is a good way to relieve that stress.

So is JottiQ a virus scanner? No, not really.

JottiQ is merely the go-between that relays the files you wish to have scanned to the online Jotti’s malware scan service. JottiQ should be considered to be an investigative tool and as such will not offer any options to delete or otherwise affect the files you scan.

JottiQ will scan the heck out of your files though, utilizing popular anti-virus apps like Avast, AVG, AntiVir, and over a dozen other programs. If your recently downloaded files are infected with something, you’ll know about it.

The application allows you to build a queue of files needing scanning. It also uses Jotti’s internal cache to speed up scans, lists scanners with detections at the top of the list in red, allows you to open scan results in your browser, and is integrated with right-click functionality so you can just click a file and scan it immediately.

How To Start Using JottiQ

To start using JottiQ, head over to this page and download the JottiQ v1.0.3 installer. Run the installer and you’ll be able to install the core components of the app. If you’re missing any applications required to run JottiQ, like I was, you will be notified and JottiQ can download and install them for you.

The installation process doesn’t take very long at all and is very easy to go through. Once you’re all done, you can start dragging files into JottiQ’s main window to queue them up for the multiple antivirus scanners. Or you can just right-click a file to scan it, if you installed context menu support (default setting).

JottiQ will give you an initial scan result to let you know if it thinks your file is safe or not, even before you get the actual results from the various programs scanning the file.

Off to the right of the app, you’ll see the list of all the anti-virus programs being used to run the scans, as well as what the individual results were for each program. If your file does happen to get a hit on one or more of the programs listed, you should be able to install that specific application for removal.

That’s all there is to it. JottiQ offers a light-weight, simple way to check your files without installing a lot of programs to figure out what will remove a potential threat. While I’d recommend you install an anti-virus program to begin with, JottiQ should help you out in case one of your downloads has you worrying.

What do you think of JottiQ?

This week, we will be giving away 25 standard licenses for Intego VirusBarrier X6 for Mac worth over $1200, and each standard license includes protection for up to 2 Macs. So stick around if you want to win but first, let’s take a look at that it has to offer. For those interested in purchasing the more complete security suite, Internet Security Barrier X6, we have an exclusive discount for you after the jump.

On first launching the program, the Setup assistance introduces you to the many features of the program, after which you can configure it to suit your personal needs.

VirusBarrier X6 provides two kinds of scanning services: on-demand scanning and real-time scanning. On-demand scanning allows you to run a full scan of your computer to make sure that all is in order, it is recommended that you run a full scan upon installation. Real-time scanning, which can be toggled on and off, allows you to run constant background scans of all files that are downloaded from the internet. Basic scan settings also include choosing what to do when malware is found and whether or not to remove quarantine markers after scanning uninfected files.

Advance scan settings include what items to scan, and which threats VirusBarrier X6 should look out for, including Mac OS, Windows and Linux threats. When connected via USB, VirusBarrier X6 can also scan for malware on the iPad, iPhone and the iPod Touch.

You can also set up a scheduled scan on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, as well as automatically scan external drives when they are hooked up to your computer.

VirusBarrier X6 also includes anti-spyware features, found under the Privacy tab, which can be turned on and off, and can be configured to deny or allow out-going connections.

Virus Barrier X6′s works as a typical two way firewall, keeping an eye on all incoming and outgoing traffic, allowing you to block traffic coming in from outside your network. It also protects your computer from Trojan Horses.

Other features in VirusBarrier X6′s packed arsenal include anti-phishing, anti-spyware and blocking incoming and outgoing traffic from specific IP addresses, while the Overview tab gives you an idea of all of your main settings and scan results.

For a full list of features, check out the VirusBarrier X6 page on Intego’s website.

How do I win a copy?

It’s simple, just follow the instructions.

Step 1: Fill in the giveaway form

Please fill in the form with your real name and email address so that we can get in touch if you are chosen as a winner. Click here if you can’t view the form.

The giveaway code required to activate the form is available from Friday’s newsletter or on our Facebook page.

Step 2: Share!

You’re almost done. Now, all that’s left to do is to share the post. There are 2 options to choose from or you can do both!

This giveaway begins now and ends Friday, March 11th at 2100hrs PST. The winners will be selected at random and informed via email.

Spread the word to your friends and have fun!

MakeUseOf would like to thank Intego for their generosity while participating in this giveaway. Interesting in sponsoring? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us via email.

Windows Defender is a built-in anti-spyware application. It is not an antivirus, for the most part, although it does have a limited ability to find and remove security threats. Its main function is to find and delete spyware that might slow your PC. Let’s take a look at what Windows Defender has to offer.

Anti-Spyware Protection

The main purpose of anti-spyware software is to protect from spyware, and alas, that’s what Windows Defender does! Like most such programs, the primary method of protection is the good old-fashioned scan. There are three options available in Windows Defender – quick scan, full scan and custom scan. The quick scan and full scan features behave as you’d expect, while the custom scan lets you scan specific drives and folders instead of your entire PC.

As is the case with many free anti-spyware applications, in-depth reviews are hard to come by. Back in 2007, CNET reviewed Windows Defender and found that it was actually very effective for a free solution, but it fell far behind the best paid software. Other tests were harder on Windows Defender, but again, they date to 2007. What is certain that some anti-spyware protection is better than none. Just be sure not to confuse this with an antivirus, because it isn’t meant to be one, and doesn’t provide (much) protection against such malware.

Windows Defender can also run scans automatically. This feature can be adjusted in the Automatic scanning section of the Options menu.

Real-Time Protection

Windows Defender doesn’t just attempt to find spyware when you are scanning your PC. It also has real-time protection, which is designed to stop any spyware that is detected on your system the moment it takes root. These features can be found in the Options section, under the Real-time protection section, and are turned on by default.

The real-time protection includes the ability to scan files and attachments that you’re downloading to determine if they carry any spyware. If they do, Windows Defender can alert you and, if you wish, quarantine or remove the files. In addition to this, the program can intercept spyware that is actively attempting to run on your PC. As with file downloads, Defender can alert you if a program on your PC is known spyware.

The severity of Defender’s reaction to detected items can be found in the Default actions section of the Options menu. By default, the program will take a recommended action based on the spyware that is discovered. However, you can adjust these settings to ensure the spyware is automatically quarantined or removed no matter what type of threat is found.

Peer Protection With SpyNet Community

The ominously named Microsoft SpyNet is one of many recent examples of cloud malware protection. The idea behind it is that even the smartest group of security experts could never detect all spyware all the time. There will always been new spyware, or old spyware that slipped through the cracks. The only way to minimize this problem is to catch problems as they occur – and that means enlisting user computers in the fight.

Computers enlisted in SpyNet share information about the spyware they encounter through Windows Defender, creating a catalog of spyware that was not officially diagnosed but rather picked up by one of the member PCs and then determined to be spyware by Defender. This helps aid everyone’s security. Microsoft is far from the only company doing this – many antivirus programs use a similar tactic.

You can opt out of the SpyNet community if you’d like. Otherwise, you have the choice of a basic or advanced membership. Both memberships send information about spyware detected, but advanced membership lets Windows Defender send information about the software impacted, including the file names of programs and documents and detailed information about the spyware’s damage to your PC.

Conclusion

Windows Defender should be seen for what it is – a simple free anti-spyware program. It isn’t very advanced, but it does offer basic protection and peace-of-mind.

Currently, Microsoft seems to be in a transition period, as the functionality of Defender overlaps with that of Microsoft Security Essentials, the free anti-malware software from Microsoft. I suspect that Microsoft does not ship Security Essentials with Windows 7 only because it wants to avoid any accusations of monopolistic behavior by antivirus companies. However, the information I provided here also applies directly to Security Essentials. It too offers scans and real-time protection, and it too includes Microsoft SpyNet functionality.

If you already have anti-spyware functionality provided by other software, it’s wise to disable Windows Defender, as doing so will eliminate the possibility of conflict between programs.

It’s also probably worth leaving it installed but dormant, just in case you want to use it again at a later date. Once disabled, you’ll probably want to replace it with another good (and free) anti-spyware application such as Malwarebytes, LavaSoft’s AdAware or Spybot Search & Destroy.

If you’d rather use one of these and find that Windows Defender is active on your PC, then you only need to follow a few steps to never hear from it again.

Why Disable Windows Defender?

If you’ve got it enabled, chances are Windows Defender will start each time you boot your PC. If you’re short on resources, have your own methods of dealing with spyware or have simply come to the conclusion that Windows Defender is not for you then you might want to disable it.

I’ve read a number of blog posts, message board threads and tweets where users were experiencing conflicts between Defender and their antivirus application. I’ve also read a fair few experiences from users who are simply sick of constantly downloading new definitions every few days.

It seems a little odd that people might complain about regular updates for what is intended to be a safeguard for your PC, but as I’m sure Microsoft have found out ““ you can’t please all of the internet, all of the time.

Generally speaking, the program should disable itself (or at least notify you) when other similar software is detected, but this isn’t always the case. The steps below should put a stop to your Windows Defender woes.

Disabling Windows Defender

The easiest way of disabling Defender is through the program itself. Click Start, in the search box type “Windows Defender” and when you see it appear launch it. You’ll then need to click Tools followed by Options.

In the panel on the left, click Administrator and you should then see a checkbox which says Use this program. Simply uncheck it, and click Save.

If all goes well you should see a dialog pop-up notifying you that you must now use your own choice of software to monitor for spyware.

That should have done it, but just to be safe we’re going to disable the service itself as well.

Click Start and search for “run”, once it appears launch it and type “services.msc” in the box that appears. Scroll down until you find Windows Defender, right click and hit Properties.

In the box that appears Startup type should already be set to Manual but you’ll want to change it to Disabled, just to be sure.

Finally, I’d recommend you check and make sure Windows Defender isn’t starting up when your PC first boots, otherwise you’re likely to get a few nasty errors once you’ve knocked the service out.

In your Start menu type “run” (without quotation marks) into the search box, when it pops up click it and enter “msconfig” into the text field before hitting OK. This should launch the Microsoft Configuration Utility. Find Startup tab and have a look for Windows Defender and if you find it, uncheck it and click OK. If you get a prompt telling you that you have to restart, ignore it.

You should now have stopped the Windows Defender service and prevented it ever starting up again. I’d recommend you now go and have a look for a decent anti-spyware application with which to replace it.

Why did you want to remove Windows Defender? What did you replace it with? Does spyware drive you mad or have you got another solution? Let us know in the comments.

Returnil Virtual System 2010 (RVS) is a new product that uses a combination of antivirus, antimalware, and a virtual system to protect your computer from all types of threats. Essentially, it clones your operating system and creates a virtual environment for your PC. This allows you to work in an isolated environment and keep your actual operating system from getting viruses, trojans, and malware.

This week, we will be giving away 10 licenses for Returnil Virtual System 2010 Home Lux worth $400 in total! Each license can be activated on 5 computers, securing your entire household.

Find out how you can get your hands on a copy below!

Allow me to walk you through some of RVS’s features. Once you download and install the app, you will be asked to enter your license information. After doing that, restart your computer and you’re ready to begin.

When your computer loads back up again, you will see a bar at the top right portion of your screen indicating that Returnil is set to Off. Left-clicking the button drops down a menu with options to enable RVS, check for updates, exit the program, and show the program on the desktop/tray area.

When you click Show Program, the main screen appears. From here, you can see if virus protection is enabled, run a quick or full system scan, enable virtual system, and check for updates.

Clicking on one of the options takes you to this tabbed screen. The layout is very simple and you can get to all of the available options by clicking on one of the tabs on the left or the links at the top of the screen.

When clicking on Quick System Scan, a box pops up and the scan begins. If the antivirus database is outdated (it will be at first install), it will start by updating it. Then it will scan all the essential areas of your PC. To scan every file on your computer, all you have to do is select Full System Scan.

On the System Safe tab, you can enable the virtual system. Simply click the Enable it now button and the system starts immediately. You will not notice any change to your system at all in this mode, but you are actually isolated from potential threats. You can alter how the program works after a restart and at startup.

When you have the System Safe enabled, the Tools tab provides additional functions. You can use the File Manager to save content to your computer’s real hard-disk, as well as create virtual disks and access files on your real system.

How do I win a copy?

It’s simple, just follow the instructions.

This giveaway begins now and ends Friday, 6th August at 2100hrs PST. The winners will be selected at random and announced via email.

Spread the word to your friends and have fun!

MakeUseOf would like to thank Virpi from Returnil for his generosity while participating in this giveaway. Interesting in sponsoring? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us via email.