Removing jokes
1. Using Enterprise Console2. Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows, version 7
3. Windows 95/98/Me
4. NetWare
5. Macintosh OS X computers
6. Linux
7. UNIX
8. OpenVMS
Jokes are harmless programs which may be mistaken for viruses or Trojans. They can simply be identified and deleted.
1. Using Enterprise Console
You can remove jokes over a network using Enterprise Console.
2. Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows, version 7
To remove a joke file:
- Close down all programs.
- Go to Start|Programs|Sophos|Sophos Anti-Virus and run the 'Sophos Anti-Virus' program.
- In the 'Available scans' list, select the scan for which you want to enable removal, or use 'Setup a new scan' to scan your local disks. (Do not select a scheduled scan, as you will not be able to run this manually.)
- Click Edit|Configure this Scan.
- Select the Cleanup tab and select 'Automatically clean up items that contain virus/spyware'. Click Apply|OK.
- Click 'Save and Start' to save the scan, and run it immediately.
- At the end of the scan, click the link in 'Items passed to Quarantine' to open Quarantine manager.
- Select any items needing removal.
- From the 'Perform action' dropdown, select 'Delete'.
- Select 'Yes' or 'Yes to all' to delete files.
- Run another scan to ensure that the file has been removed.
- Click Edit|Configure this Scan.
- Select the Cleanup tab and deselect 'Automatically clean up items that contain virus/spyware'. Click Apply|OK.
3. Windows 95/98/Me
To remove a joke:
- Check the threat analysis to ensure it is a joke program.
- Go to Start|Programs|Sophos Anti-Virus and run the Sophos Anti-Virus program.
- Select the Immediate tab.
- Go to Options|Configuration. Select the 'Disinfection' or the 'Action' tab, (according to what is displayed in your window) select 'Infected files', select 'Delete' then click 'OK'.
- Click the green 'scan' arrow, or the 'GO' button (as appropriate) to run the scan.
- Delete the file.
- Go back to Options|Configuration. Select the 'Disinfection' or the 'Action' tab, then deselect 'Infected files' and 'Delete'. Click 'OK'.
You may also delete the file using the following DOS instructions:
- Check the threat analysis to ensure it is a joke program.
- Run SWEEP from the DOS prompt to delete the joke file.
CD \
CD SWEEP
SWEEP *: -REMOVEF
Alternatively, find the file in Explorer and press the Shift and Del keys at the same time to delete it.
4. NetWare
- Check the threat analysis to ensure it is a joke program.
- Run a scan to locate the joke file.
- Delete the file manually from your server.
5. Macintosh OS X computers
To remove a joke:
- Check the threat analysis to ensure it is a joke program.
- Run the Sophos Anti-Virus program.
- Go to 'Sophos Anti-Virus preferences'.
- Choose 'Disinfection' from the 'Immediate Mode' menu.
- Select 'Infected Files' and 'Delete'.
- Close 'Sophos Anti-Virus preferences'.
- Click the green 'Play' arrow button.
- Click 'OK' when asked if files should be deleted.
- Go back to 'Virus Action' and deselect 'Infected Files' and Delete.
- If problems persist, contact support.
6. Linux
- Check the threat analysis for details on the joke and its removal.
- Use savscan with the -remove option
savscan -remove
- Run a scan to check that joke files were deleted.
7. UNIX
To delete joke files:
- Check the threat analysis to ensure it is a joke program.
- Use SWEEP with the -remove option
sweep -remove
Alternatively, find the file and delete it.
8. OpenVMS
To delete joke files:
- Check the threat analysis to ensure it is a joke program.
- Delete the joke files by running VSWEEP from DCL using the command line qualifier '/REMOVEF'.
Note: '/REMOVEF' does not prompt for confirmation before deletion and should be used with caution.
Alternatively, find the file and delete it.
For details on the use of these command line qualifiers and sample batch files using them, see the Sophos Anti-Virus for OpenVMS manual.
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