Simviation Forums

Has anyone of you tried one of these yet? The fixme stick supposedly works on viruses before things boot up. I just wondered if it is no different than booting up in safe mode?
http://www.fixmestick.com/

Hi Steve
I prefere to use the normal antivirus..................are these sticks prommising to be secure??

Regards
Trooper

Well their claim to fame is that they run before or during start up and they will clean up bugs that can alter the functions of most antivirus and render them useless. So.. by not allowing corrupted software to start up, the virus has to sit quietly while being destroyed. Seems to make sense, but I am wondering if it is just running the machine in safe mode.
Signed.. A survivor of the 2010 virus that rendered a hard drive useless, making people go to great lengths to recover!

It's much like all these "go faster" or PC tune up teasers you get sucked into buying. All promise and no result.

Seems a bit odd to me....>>>

Quote:
How you use the FixMeStick

Directions:

Insert the FixMeStick into a USB slot.
In Windows, open File Explorer and click on the “FixMeStick” drive.
Double-click the program “Run FixMeStick”.

That’s it!
Unquote.

I would guess that to open "Explorer" in Windows, to gain access to the stick, Windows has already fully booted up?

Very strange!

I would "stick" to the usual Anti-virus stuff, and avoid opening dodgy stuff.

I don't believe in "Magical Sticks" any more!...Only Lollipops.... ...!

Paul... ...!

I spent yesterday afternoon mowing the grass, cutting the hedge, and trimming the trees....

...this morning I have a backache...

I need a "Fix-me" stick!... ...!

Paul.... ... ...!

Hi Steve.
If any program or sticks are allowed to take control on your pc, before or under bootup, it would be the most validable piece of software any kriminal or bad persons could ever want!
It would go in before your normal security programs starts up!
Note: I haven't even opened your link, so i dont know much about it.

My 2c.

Fozzer wrote:I spent yesterday afternoon mowing the grass, cutting the hedge, and trimming the trees....

...this morning I have a backache...

I need a "Fix-me" stick!... ...!

Paul.... ... ...!

Ha! Thats the MeFix the sticks.

Bass wrote:Hi Steve.
If any program or sticks are allowed to take control on your pc, before or under bootup, it would be the most validable piece of software any kriminal or bad persons could ever want!
It would go in before your normal security programs starts up!
Note: I haven't even opened your link, so i dont know much about it.

My 2c.

Thanks Bass, So in your opinion it's just not worth it.

I dont know but i dont thrust this stick...............

Trooper

Steve M wrote:

Bass wrote:Hi Steve.
If any program or sticks are allowed to take control on your pc, before or under bootup, it would be the most validable piece of software any kriminal or bad persons could ever want!
It would go in before your normal security programs starts up!
Note: I haven't even opened your link, so i dont know much about it.

My 2c.

Thanks Bass, So in your opinion it's just not worth it.

Well Steve, we live in a free world (almost), but i wont have it in, as long as there's some respectable programs, you can startup in your own CONTROL!!
I think you know what i mean

I just read Steves link and supposedly (I haven't verified it) Wiki says “The best and most reliable method for operating-system-level rootkit detection is to shut down the computer suspected of infection, and then to check its storage by booting from an alternative trusted medium (e.g. a rescue CD-ROM or USB flash drive). The technique is effective because malware cannot actively hide its presence if it is not running.”

The "...booting from an alternative trusted medium" part makes pretty good sense I think. IMHO I think I'd search around and see what reviews are online before I tried it.

I suppose this "Fix-me" stick is a bootable drive. Therefore by booting from it, you could scan for rootkit files as they wouldn't be running. But why pay for something you can do yourself?

Logjam I'll be the first to admit I am not that computer literate so could you explain how to do a "rootkit file scan"? Thanks a lot!