Microsoft Anti-Virus
Encyclopedia
Microsoft Anti-Virus was an antivirus
program introduced by Microsoft
for its MS-DOS
operating system
. The program first appeared in MS-DOS version 6.0
(1993 )
and last appeared in MS-DOS 6.22. The first version of the antivirus program was basic, had no update facility (updates had to be obtained from a BBS), and could only scan for about 1,000 viruses. Microsoft Anti-Virus for Windows (MWAV), included as part of the package, could be run under Windows 3.1x
.
Inc. (later acquired by Symantec
in 1994 and integrated into Symantec's Norton AntiVirus
product) and was essentially a stripped down version of the Central Point Anti-Virus
(CPAV) product which, in turn, Central Point Software Inc., had licensed from Carmel Software Engineering in Haifa, Israel. Carmel Software sold the product as Turbo Anti-Virus both domestically and abroad.
Microsoft Anti-Virus for Windows was also provided by Central Point Software. This product became noted as determining that the upgrade program of Windows 95
was detected as a computer virus
, something which was embarrassing to Microsoft.
-type viruses which were the typical virus problems at the time.
The program also had an anti-stealth and check sum feature that could be used to detect any changes in normal files. This technology was intended to make up for the unavailability of regular update packages. The final update of MSAV was released June 1996, it added the ability to detect polymorphic viruses and the virus definitions were updated to scan for a total of 2,371 viruses.
component of MSAV that provided real-time virus protection. By default it protected against boot sector viruses (both Diskette and MBR) by warning the user of any attempt to write the boot sector and allowing the user to allow or deny any changes. It also scanned all executable files on execution, and scanned the bootsector of floppy disks for viruses upon access.
VSafe had a number of virus definitions embedded within its executable, but was capable of loading additional (updated) signatures from an external definition file.
Antivirus software
Antivirus or anti-virus software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including but not limited to computer viruses, computer worm, trojan horses, spyware and adware...
program introduced by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
for its MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
. The program first appeared in MS-DOS version 6.0
(1993 )
and last appeared in MS-DOS 6.22. The first version of the antivirus program was basic, had no update facility (updates had to be obtained from a BBS), and could only scan for about 1,000 viruses. Microsoft Anti-Virus for Windows (MWAV), included as part of the package, could be run under Windows 3.1x
Windows 3.1x
Windows 3.1x is a series of 16-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers. The series began with Windows 3.1, which was first sold during March 1992 as a successor to Windows 3.0...
.
History
Microsoft Anti-Virus was supplied by Central Point SoftwareCentral Point Software
Central Point Software, Inc. was a leading software utilities maker for the PC market, supplying utilities software for the DOS and Microsoft Windows markets. It also made Apple II copy programs.-History:...
Inc. (later acquired by Symantec
Symantec
Symantec Corporation is the largest maker of security software for computers. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and is a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500 stock market index.-History:...
in 1994 and integrated into Symantec's Norton AntiVirus
Norton AntiVirus
Norton AntiVirus, developed and distributed by Symantec Corporation, provides malware prevention and removal during a subscription period. It uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses. Other features include e-mail spam filtering and phishing protection.Symantec distributes the product as...
product) and was essentially a stripped down version of the Central Point Anti-Virus
Central Point Anti-Virus
Central Point Anti-Virus was a DOS-based antivirus program developed by former Central Point Software Inc. . It was partly adapted into Microsoft Anti-Virus's DOS and Windows versions , and merged into Norton Antivirus. CPS had licensed from Carmel Software Engineering in Haifa, Israel...
(CPAV) product which, in turn, Central Point Software Inc., had licensed from Carmel Software Engineering in Haifa, Israel. Carmel Software sold the product as Turbo Anti-Virus both domestically and abroad.
Microsoft Anti-Virus for Windows was also provided by Central Point Software. This product became noted as determining that the upgrade program of Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
was detected as a computer virus
Computer virus
A computer virus is a computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability...
, something which was embarrassing to Microsoft.
Features
Both the MS-DOS and Windows versions of the latest product had common features; the "Detect and Clean" strategy of Microsoft Anti-Virus could scan for and detect 1,234 distinct viruses. Other features included the detection of boot sector and Trojan horseTrojan Horse
The Trojan Horse is a tale from the Trojan War about the stratagem that allowed the Greeks finally to enter the city of Troy and end the conflict. In the canonical version, after a fruitless 10-year siege, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse, and hid a select force of men inside...
-type viruses which were the typical virus problems at the time.
The program also had an anti-stealth and check sum feature that could be used to detect any changes in normal files. This technology was intended to make up for the unavailability of regular update packages. The final update of MSAV was released June 1996, it added the ability to detect polymorphic viruses and the virus definitions were updated to scan for a total of 2,371 viruses.
VSafe TSR
VSafe was a terminate and stay residentTerminate and Stay Resident
Terminate and Stay Resident is a computer system call in DOS computer operating systems that returns control to the system as if the program has quit, but keeps the program in memory...
component of MSAV that provided real-time virus protection. By default it protected against boot sector viruses (both Diskette and MBR) by warning the user of any attempt to write the boot sector and allowing the user to allow or deny any changes. It also scanned all executable files on execution, and scanned the bootsector of floppy disks for viruses upon access.
VSafe had a number of virus definitions embedded within its executable, but was capable of loading additional (updated) signatures from an external definition file.