Anybody knows if the trend micro free online scan is reliable?

I have used it to scan my PC and it detected a virus, while my paid norton anti-virus (which is updated everyweek) did not detect that virus.

Can anybody tell me whether it is reliable to use?

One of the best online scans around,but in your case that is not rare were one Av failed to detect a virus,and the other did.No antivirus outthere no matter who tells you otherwise will detect 100% of the viruses 100% of the time.If they do?They are pulling your leg.Norton is good at detecting viruses,but this could be a case were it missed it,and trend micro detected it.

PEACE!!!!

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In a nutshell, each AV softwares use a different set of detection algorithms and methods, which is why one may find something that the other miss. For more info about how AV software works, click HERE.

i_XpUser

It could be some adware related stuff was detected by Micro Trend while Norton possibly does not include the search for adware related files. I had the same experience with Micro Trend versus Kaspersky Antivirus. Only after using the extended database for detecting adware stuff also, KAV detected the suspicious file Trend Micro was detecting. I dont know what's the case with Norton.

Little correction on my reply: the extended database of KAV detects programs providing to intruders remote access to your data.
So when you read "adware" it should be "malware". Sorry.

Hey XpUser,

I went to your link. That is some scary scary reading. Virus writers have toolkits???? Viruses have version updates!!! Couple of quotes from the article that will keep me awake tonite:

" 'Toolkits' have been developed by virus writers - some with excellent user interfaces and even help files -..."

"... many viruses will download updates and plugins, allowing the virus writer to stay one step ahead of the anti-virus software writers."

Also very informative reading, I learned a lot, thanks.