i am not familiar with Boomerang/Extendia... perhaps someone else can comment on its quality/reliability.
Anti-virus programs typically consist of two components/aspects... first and foremost, it should have a "passive" component, which is running CONTINUALLY, the purpose of which is to catch/prevent the viruses before they can ever infect your machine. Typically, it can check any file you download from the internet, any programs you try to install on your system, and also --- in real time --- any programs you actually run on your system. Does Extendia claim to do this?
The second is an "active" component, to completely scan your entire system (or specified directories/files) "on demand". this MUST be run the first time you install your anti-virus, to catch any "old" virus files that may have found their way in before you installed the anti-virus. but additionally, it should be run "periodically" (as I mentioned above), for the following reason:
viruses are continually mutating/morphing, and the anti-virus programs are continually trying to play "catch up". so suppose you regularly keep your system up to date... for example, you've downloaded the reference file on 3 August. if a "brand new" virus is first created on 4 August ---- one "unknown" to the definitions you downloaded on 3 Aug --- it can get by your (passive) anti-virus protection, and infect your system. now, lets suppose (as indicated) you update weekly, getting the next reference file on 10 Aug. Let's also suppose that this newer/updated file IS now aware of the "brand new 4 Aug" virus that you've caught last week. Well, if that virus program is loaded and running, the 10 Aug update should now catch it. But if the virus program is simply "dormant" --- that is to say, residing on your drive, but not actually loaded and running at the time --- the 10 Aug update will not know to "look" for it.... unless/until you tell your anti-virus program to (actively) perform a complete scan. this is why you need to do a complete scan "periodically".
So, as I asked before: Does Extendia offer BOTH features, both passive as well as active scanning? (From what you described, it certainly sounds like at least have the active scanning capability.) If you don't have the passive feature, you'll need to switch from Extendia to another program that does.
You say you update weekly.... do they offer more frequent updates? Some programs update daily!
the bottom line: with passive protection, and frequent (every day or two) updates, you should be able to keep most viruses from entering your system in the first place. nevetheless, you should still always be sure to verify things with an occasional complete scan.
Message Edited by ky331 on 08-04-2005 10:54 AM