Windows 10: Scanning a ISO File and Bootable Anti-Virus

Yes, you can extract it and run virus scan on it.

 

Yay! Sorry for being partially paranoid but are there files that are in the ISO which when extracted won't be processed by and Anti-Virus. Basically, a file that can not be extracted. Recommend me a tool to scan the extracted folders.
Thanks,
MSM

 

AVG Free Downloads | Antivirus Software and Much More

 

Thanks but plz answer the question.

 

No.

 

Just right click it and click Open With > Windows Explorer. It will emulate a disk drive including every file. Use the antivirus to scan the "disk drive".

 

So "You" said, that open it with File Explorer and scan it. Does it have EVERY file that is in the ISO.

 

Please reply, wouldn't the ISO have Virus definitions that the latest Anti-Viruses can not detect. Like Viruses that are a different type and can not be detected.

 

I think it's time we stopped answering MSMPlayz questions - he/she isn't going to be satisfied by any answer provided.

 

D: I aware this is the last question. PLEASE AFTER ANSWERING THIS LAST ONE.

 

*sigh*

First - the chance that you have a virus inside an ISO file that you download directly from Microsoft is next to zero. Either Microsoft would have to post the ISO file with the virus already in it (so how much do you trust Microsoft?) or your computer would have to insert the virus after it was downloaded.

Second - The chance that your computer would insert the virus into the ISO file after downloading is also next to zero. The reason is because the ISO file is an image. It's like a zip file. A virus cannot simply alter the ISO file itself to insert the virus - it would actually have to extract the over 3GB file somewhere, insert the virus into an executable file extracted from the ISO - and then recreate the ISO file from all the files previously extracted. If the virus tried to insert itself directly into the ISO file without extracting everything first all it would do is corrupt the ISO file and cause it to fail to open/extract and you would just get an error that the file could not be opened.

When you mount or extract an ISO file or burn a DVD/USB/CD from it, it is possible for there to be hidden files. I don't know of any way of making sure that you see every file contained in the ISO. Maybe UltraISO?

There is no anti-virus/anti-malware program that is going to catch 100% of all viruses/malware.

So what you are ultimately left with is pretty much trusting the first and second statements that there is very little chance that you are downloading an already infected ISO file from Microsoft and there is very little chance of that ISO file getting infected sitting on your computer - even if your computer is infected itself.

The way to tell if the ISO file has been changed or is corrupted is to use the program to calculate the SHA1 and/or MD5 sums of the ISO file. Unfortunately, Microsoft does not publish the SHA1 and/or MD5 sums on their websites so you are left with only the option of comparing those values with others that have downloaded the ISO file as well. Many software companies do publish the SHA1 or MD5 value on their download pages, but Microsoft does not.

If you really, really want to do everything you can to make sure you have a 100% clean Windows 10 image, then buy a read only USB version of Windows directly from Microsoft for $199. Even then I would suspect you would come back and ask us how to verify the USB you received wasn't infected.

 

MSMPlatz, we have 6 pages and 53 posts of you asking questions about viruses in an ISO file. Your questions have been answered in every way possible. You are being overly paranoid about viruses. If you downloaded the ISO from an official Microsoft site, there is no concern about viruses other than any that may be on your computer already. You have been told to scan it if you wish, how to scan it and what to scan it with. All of your questions have been answered, some several times. Enough is enough.

 

Yes, it does. It mounts the ISO.

 

Ok, can anyone download the ISO and calculate the SHA or MDA. This is not a question, I can now understand. It's a favour.

 

Btw, my computer is heavily infected with all types, Trojans, malware, spyware, adware, Boot Sector Virus and a Damaged/Infected BIOS. My BIOS will be easy to fix, reflash after reinstalling Windows.