Online Virus Scanner
If you have never downloaded a security service, your computer could be infected with a virus. The Cogeco Online Virus Scanner, optimized by F-Secure, is a free service you can use to check whether or not your computer is infected.
Two simple steps
1. Make sure that the online Virus Scanner supports your operating system
2. Launch the online Virus Scanner
Step 1: Make sure that your computer is configured as required
Web browsers supported:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or a later version and Firefox 2.1 or a later version.
Please note that JavaScript and ActiveX must also be activated.
You can activate ActiveX and JavaScript through Internet Explorer by clicking Tools > Internet Options… > Security > Custom Level…
Note: If JavaScript and ActiveX have been disabled for security reasons, don’t forget to restore the original settings after the scan.
You can download Internet Explorer from Microsoft.
Please be sure that your computer meets the two following requirements.
1) Operating systems
- Windows 2000
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista (32 bit)
Warning! Please note that:
-
Windows 7, Windows 98, Windows ME and Windows XP Service Pack 1 are not compatible with Cogeco Security Services 8.0.
- The server versions of above-mentioned operating systems are not compatible with Cogeco Security Services 8.0.
- For Windows Vista, we recommend using Internet Explorer 7.0 or a later version.
2) Processor and memory
-
Processor WinXP or Win2000: Intel Pentium III 1 GHz or higher
-
Processor Windows Vista: Intel Pentium 4 2 GHz or higher
- The disk space and memory required are indicated in the table below
| Operating systems | Memory (MB) |
Disk Space required for the installation |
||
| WinXP and Win2000 | 512 MB or more | 800MB | ||
| Windows Vista | 1 GB or more | 800MB | ||
The online Virus Scanner: questions and answers
| Q: | I am trying to open Cogeco’s online Virus Scanner. When I click on the link, a window briefly appears, but then nothing happens. Why isn’t it working? | |
| Q: | I tried opening the Cogeco Virus Scanner. When I click on the link, a warning appears that says that the current security settings do not allow for the use of ActiveX controls on this page and that the page will not display properly. When I click on “OK,” the Cogeco Virus Scanner window closes. Why? | |
| Q: | When I open Cogeco’s Virus Scanner, an alert message asks me if I want to install and execute “ I haven’t seen this.” Why? | |
| Q: | Are browsers other than Internet Explorer 5 and 6 supported? | |
| Q: | Do I need permanent anti-virus software, or is the Cogeco Virus Scanner sufficient? | |
| Q: | Cogeco’s Online Virus Scanner cannot scan the files in all directories. Why is this? | |
| Q: | The Cogeco Virus Scanner found viruses in my computer. What should I do? | |
| Q: | I used the Cogeco Virus Scanner with real-time protection activated. The product with real-time scanning found a virus (or EICAR), but the Cogeco Virus Scanner did not. Why is that? | |
| Q: | Are archived files scanned? | |
| Q: | Can I use the Cogeco Virus Scanner to remove viruses? | |
| Q: | The number of files scanned in a directory does not match the number of files indicated by the DIR /S command for this directory. | |
| Q: | How do I uninstall the Cogeco Virus Scanner from my computer? | |
| Q: | How do I get rid of malware that cannot be removed by the Cogeco Virus Scanner? | |
| Q: | Can I keep surfing the Internet while Cogeco’s Virus Scanner is running? | |
| Q: | What do I do when an X appears on my task bar? | |
| Q: | My virus definitions are no longer being updated. What should I do? | |
| Q: | Since installing Cogeco Security Services, I can no longer print from my other computer. What should I do? | |
| Q: | Can I install Ad-Aware or an anti-spyware program in addition to Cogeco Security Services? | |
| Q: | I am having a problem with the Anti-Spam ( “Spam Control is Malfunctioning”). What should I do? | |
| Q: | How do I set Parental Control (Web Filtering)? | |
| Q: | When I turn on my computer, Cogeco Security Services asks whether I would like to authorize MSN Messenger and MSN Windows. I answered “No,” and I checked off “ALWAYS REFUSE.” Now I would like to cancel this command and have access to the two sites again. How do I do it? | |
| Q: | I am trying to open Cogeco’s online Virus Scanner. When I click on the link, a window briefly appears, but then nothing happens. Why isn’t it working? | |
| A: | You do not have the proper rights on your computer to install the necessary ActiveX controls. First you have to launch Internet Explorer with the administrator’s rights. Here’s how.
|
|
| Q: | I tried opening the Cogeco Virus Scanner. When I click on the link, a warning appears that says that the current security settings do not allow for the use of ActiveX controls on this page and that the page will not display properly. When I click on “OK,” the Cogeco Virus Scanner window closes. Why? | |
| A: | Internet Explorer security settings prevent you from downloading ActiveX controls and installing them on your computer. To launch the Cogeco Virus Scanner, you have the change the security settings.
From now on, Internet Explorer will ask for permission before installing an ActiveX control rather than simply rejecting it. Before accepting an ActiveX control, always check its signature and that it has been certified by a trusted third party. Warning: Do not choose the “Enable” option for downloading ActiveX controls. This could result in malicious content being installed on your computer. |
|
| Q: | When I open Cogeco’s Virus Scanner, an alert message asks me if I want to install and execute “ I haven’t seen this.” Why? | |
| A: | The architecture of Cogeco’s Virus Scanner is based on an ActiveX control. For security purposes, Internet Explorer will probably ask for confirmation before downloading, installing and launching any ActiveX control. This prevents the installation of malware on your computer. To ensure that it is safe to install the Cogeco Virus Scanner, check whether:
|
|
| Q: | Are browsers other than Internet Explorer 5 and 6 supported? | |
| A: | Yes. Internet Explorer 7 or a later version is required for Windows Vista. | |
| Q: | Do I need permanent anti-virus software, or is the Cogeco Virus Scanner sufficient? | |
| A: | Cogeco’s Onlilne Virus Scanner cannot replace anti-virus software. Anti-virus software offers real-time protection against viruses, automatic updates with a very short response time, a memory scan and generally a firewall, as well as other integrated protection mechanisms. Cogeco’s Online Virus Scanner offers only limited scanning functionality for an initial check of your computer. In order to insure your PC is protected moving forward, please download and install Cogeco Security Services. | |
| Q: | Cogeco’s Virus Scanner cannot scan the files in all directories. Why is this? | |
| A: | If you are not the administrator, files in the directories for which you do not have access rights cannot be scanned. Normally, true anti-virus software can do this. | |
| Q: | The Cogeco Virus Scanner found viruses in my computer. What should I do? | |
| A: | It is a good idea to install anti-virus software to prevent future infections. First of all, you can click on the link in the virus detection window. You will be directed to the F-Secure Web site where you will find more information about the virus and possibly instructions for manually removing it or a disinfection wizard. | |
| Q: | I used the Cogeco Virus Scanner with real-time protection activated. The product with real-time scanning found a virus (or EICAR), but the Cogeco Virus Scanner did not. Why is that? | |
| A: | The anti-virus software with real-time protection intercepts the virus (or EICAR) and blocks access (as it is supposed to do) before the Cogeco Virus Scanner can read it and scan it. Try renaming “Eicar.com” “eicar.xxx,” which the real-time protection might let slip by. | |
| Q: | Are archived files scanned? | |
| A: | Zip files are scanned to check whether they are fake zip files, but Cogeco’s Virus Scanner does not extract files from archives to scan them. | |
| Q: | Can I use the Cogeco Virus Scanner to remove viruses? | |
| A: | Yes, the Cogeco Virus Scanner includes a disinfection module. | |
| Q: | The number of files scanned in a directory does not match the number of files indicated by the DIR /S command for this directory. | |
| A: | DIR /S does not count all files. The number of files scanned matches the number indicated if you right-click on the directory and select “Properties.” | |
| Q: | How do I uninstall the Cogeco Virus Scanner from my computer? | |
| A: |
|
|
| Q: | How do I get rid of malware that cannot be removed by the Cogeco Virus Scanner? | |
| A: | The Cogeco Virus Scanner can take care of viruses, but cannot remove worms, Trojan horses, etc., because there is no file to disinfect (the entire file is malware). You have to manually delete such files. | |
| Q: | Can I keep surfing the Internet while Cogeco’s Virus Scanner is running? | |
| A: | Yes, but doing so uses your computer’s resources and could slow down the scanning process. | |
| Q: | What do I do when an X appears on my task bar? | |
| A: | You have to restart your computer. If the problem persists, uninstall and then reinstall Cogeco Security Services.
Uninstalling
Installing |
|
| Q: | My virus definitions are no longer being updated. What should I do? | |
| A: |
If the Cogeco Security Service isn’t updating regularly, This can be caused by services not running or files that have been corrupted.
Restart the Update Service
ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/support/tools/FSAUA-Reset/fsaua-reset.exe For manual updates, use this FTP server: |
|
| Q: | Since installing Cogeco Security Services, I can no longer print from my other computer. What should I do? | |
| A: | To activate printer sharing among computers, you have to create a firewall rule authorizing the sharing of Windows files and printers. The Firewall Rule Wizard can help you create this rule.
To launch the Firewall Rule Wizard
Step 1: Select a name and type for this rule.
Step 2: Select the IP address or the range of IP addresses for this rule.
Step 3: Select the services for this rule.
Step 4: Select the type of alert.
Step 5: Add the new rule.
|
|
| Q: | Can I install Ad-Aware or an anti-spyware program in addition to Cogeco Security Services? | |
| A: | No. Cogeco Security Services are not compatible with other Internet security software. Anti software, including anti-spyware, is part of the latest version of Cogeco Security Services. | |
| Q: | I am having a problem with the Anti-Spam ( “Spam Control is Malfunctioning”). What should I do? | |
| A: |
Major Causes for SPAM Control Malfunction are (drive cleaning tools, corrupted downloads, full hard drive, disk corruption) Follow steps below to fix this.
|
|
| Q: | How do I set Parental Control (Web Filtering)? | |
| A: | New rules can be added using the advanced parameters of Parental Control (Web Filtering).
|
|
| Q: | When I turn on my computer, Cogeco Security Services asks whether I would like to authorize MSN Messenger and MSN Windows. I answered “No,” and I checked off “ALWAYS REFUSE.” Now I would like to cancel this command and have access to the two sites again. How do I do it? | |
| A: |
|





