Anti-Virus Utilities
Unlike other software at DOS Days, you probably shouldn't opt for older versions of anti-virus software unless you're on this page purely for nostalgic reasons, as they won't contain the very latest updates. Whilst its highly unlikely any viruses that run in DOS have been written since the late 90s, it makes sense to 'boilerplate' and get the one with the most up-to-date virus definitions.
Our recommendation for higher-spec DOS PCs is Kaspersky Antivirus 32. This DOS version is no longer supported but Kaspersky Labs kept the same mechanism for updating its daily virus definition files (in daily-downloadable ZIP files) right up to late 2009, which still works on version 3.0 found here. The last of their cumulative virus definitions ZIP file is also present. You will need an 80386 or higher processor and at least 180 MB of free disk space.
For older DOS PCs, F-PROT is great - it has the latest virus definitions file from 2009, runs on any DOS PC, and requires only 17 MB of free disk space.
Product | Version | Year of Release | Comments | Download |
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F-PROT | 3.16f
3.16f (alternate) |
2009 | F-PROT anti-virus software for DOS is a complete monitor, scanner and disinfectant. This version has the latest definitions up to 8th January 2009 with over 311,000 virus definitions, trojans, etc. It can scan within archives (ARJ / CAB / LZH / RAR / ZIP), many packed executables and emails. Usage: F-PROT [drive, file or directory] [options] When run with a drive letter or directory it enters command-line mode automatically. Run it with the /OLD switch (tells is not to complain if running outdated DEF files). The second download is version 3.16f but without the definitions file, but has more files in it as it was downloaded from the original F-Prot website (f-prot.com). The third download is AVDISK - a set of utilities that will create a set of F-Prot Emergency Boot/Scan diskettes. The fourth download is FP3UTILS.ZIP, which contains |
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Kaspersky Antivirus 32 | v3.0 build 135 | 2001 | This is last version for DOS. The program, batch and configuration files are in English, but the README and the optional Windows localization file are in Russian only. Runs from command line with parameters typed in, or from batch file, or from a graphical shell. Requires an 80386 or higher. Over 189,000 viruses, trojans, etc. in database. The 2nd download here is the latest virus definitions ZIP file from 28th September 2012 (from August 1, 2012 Kaspersky Lab stops releasing anti-virus databases in zip-archives). The 3rd download is like the 2nd but in addition has a database of network attacks. This archive contains all databases released up to 28th September 2012. Instructions MD5 checksum for kavdos32.zip: |
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McAfee Virus Scan | v4.50 | McAfee Virus Scan. cmd450e.zip is the command-line scanner for DOS and Windows. Automagically selects 16/32-bit (DOS/Windows). Evaluation version. |
Click | |
VET for DOS | 9.531 |
1997 |
Anti-virus software for DOS. Dated 1997. |
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MD5SUM | - | 1995 | Calculates and verifies MD5 hash values for files. This program, originally for Unix, will calculate an MD5 value for a given file and also allows you to check the values against an existing, valid value to determine if the file has been changed/corrupted. MD5SUM is most often used to validate the integrity of transferred files which have a reference MD5 value stored on the server. But I employ it as a cheap, antiviral "checksum comparer" for files on my local hard drive. 16-bit program, w/ source in package. Usage: To generate a file (TEST.MD5) to contain a "baseline" MD5 value for a given file (MY.ZIP): md5sum -b my.zip > test.md5 -b assumes the input file is a binary file. md5sum -b -c test.md5 If the values match, output will be OK, else FAILED. |
Click |
Disk Backup
Product | Version | Year of Release | Comments | Download |
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CRC | - | - | A program that calculates a signature of file/s (in the form of a CRC - Cyclic Redundancy Check). It is able to store CRC values for files and later check whether they have changed. | Click |