F-PROT for DOS Review

Courtesy of the alt.comp.virus newsgroup participants.
(These "anti-malware" pages are the result of a continuing cooperative effort.)

Translated versions available: en Français and auf Deutsch

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F-Prot is a well-known free and reliable virus scanner for DOS.

Why should I even bother with a DOS scanner when so many Windows scanners are available?
Isn't DOS obsolete?

Some Windows viruses cannot be removed while in Windows because those viruses are memory resident and can interfere with the scanner and disturb it. Windows also locks certain files. Therefore a virus scanner will be denied access to certain files, making it impossible to scan or clean them. In those cases it is necessary to restart the computer in DOS mode. Needless to say, Windows scanners are useless in such a situation.

Unfortunately, memory resident DOS viruses exist as well. When you are dealing with a DOS virus it's always best to boot your computer from a clean boot floppy. That ensures that no virus is in memory. Windows does not fit onto a floppy disk so obviously Windows scanners are absolutely useless in such a situation, too.

Additionally, DOS scanners will usually work flawlessly under Windows. They are as reliable as their Windows counterparts, but they do not have the disadvantages of typical Windows applications (see "Pros" below). Keep in mind though that DOS scanners scan files only when you ask them to; they will not constantly monitor your system.

System requirements
  • Version 3.x requires DOS 3.3 or better.
  • IBM PC compatible computer with an 80386 processor or better for version 3.x.
    Note that you can also download an old version of F-Prot, 2.28b, if you do not have at least a 80386 processor or DOS 3.3. Needless to say, that version is extremely obsolete and should be used only as a last resort. F-Prot 2.28b is available from:
    ftp://ftp.europe.datafellows.com/f-prot/free/286/fp-228b.zip
  • 4 MB of memory (RAM)
  • Runs under all Windows systems, OS2, UNIX, LINUX or Macintosh workstation running a DOS or Windows emulator.
  • Will work on most network systems.
Note: No on-access scanner included.

User interface and documentation

F-Prot provides a text mode user interface, which is fairly easy to use even if the user is not familiar with DOS. Alternatively, it can be run in command line mode; in that case basic knowledge of DOS is required. Comprehensive and comprehensible documentation is included in form of plain text files.

Updating

The virus definition files must be updated manually, but the process of updating is not complicated. The user must simply download and unzip the virus definition files. Updates of sign.def and sign2.def (both contained in the file fp-def.zip) as well as macro.def (contained in the file macrdef2.zip) can be downloaded from

http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/dos/

Important note for users of NT-based operating systems (Windows NT, 2000, XP or later)

F-Prot for DOS may or may not work fine in a DOS box in Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 regardless of the file system. It is better to use the command line program (fpcmd.exe) provided with the Windows version. For more information, take a look at this F-Prot support link.

It will also not be able to read from your hard disk if you boot from a floppy. That is an inconvenience shared by all DOS programs. You can however download a driver that enables read access from NTFS partitions even under plain DOS. Take a look at:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfsdospro.shtml

Please note that the free version allows for read access only. The full, commercial version allows write access as well.

Frisk or F-Secure?

Frisk Software in Iceland is the producer of F-Prot for DOS. In the past, F-Secure (http://www.f-secure.com) used the F-Prot engine in its own product and therefore developed virus definition files that could be used with F-Prot. This is no longer the case, and while F-Secure may appear to continue to update the F-Prot virus definition files, it is recommended that you get them directly from Frisk Software.

Submitting a virus

Suspicious files can be sent to viruslab@f-prot.com or submitted using this form.

Pros:

  • Good detection rates (ranks among the best) Fits on boot floppies Uses very little disk space and does not clutter the system Installs and uninstalls very easily, quickly and cleanly Stable and fast scanner
  • Free for personal, non-commercial use

Cons:

  • English language only Each time new virus definition updates are released, the whole files must be downloaded.
  • Submitted viruses may take some time to be added to the definition files.

© Claymania Creations 2001 - 2010. All rights reserved.

Updated: April 30, 2004