McAfee Stinger is a free virus scanner and removal software that is designed to target and remove specific computer infections and viruses. This program is not an anti-virus solution, but rather a utility that can be used to remove stubborn infections that are difficult to remove.
Stinger now also includes Real Protect, which is a real-time behavior detection program that monitors suspicious activity on the computer. Real Protect uses machine learning and automated behavioral-based classifications in the cloud to detect zero-day infections.
“There is one major problem with anti-virus software: It needs updating. Users cannot be relied upon to have even the anti-virus software in the first place, let alone be able or willing to pay for the updates.”
– Glenn Turner
- By default, Stinger scans for running processes, loaded modules, registry, WMI, and directory locations known to be used by malware on a machine to keep scan times minimal. If necessary, click the “Customize my scan” link to add additional drives/directories to your scan.
- Stinger has the capability to scan targets of Rootkits, which is not enabled by default.
- Click the Scan button to begin scanning the specified drives/directories.
- By default, Stinger will repair any infected files it finds.
- Stinger leverages GTI File Reputation and runs network heuristics at Medium level by default. If you select “High” or “Very High,” McAfee Labs recommends that you set the “On threat detection” action to “Report” only for the first scan.
Command-line examples
McAfee Stinger can be also used from the command line. A list of all available parameters is displayed by going to the help menu within Stinger.
Run McAfee Stinger in the silent scan, and start scanning immediately
STINGER.EXE –silent –go
Stinger will start scanning the specific directory
STINGER64.EXE –silent –scanpath=C:Windows --go
Stinger Command-Line Options for McAfee Stinger: Free Virus Scanning and Removing Tool
--SILENT (start silent scan)
--GO (start scanning)
--RPTALL (log all files)
--PROGRAM (report applications)
--REPORTONLY (report viruses)
--RENAME (rename file if virus found)
--DELETE (delete virus)
--ADL (scan all local drives)
--AND (scan all network drives)
--AD (scan all drives)
--SCANPATH= (scan specific folder)
--NOPROCESS (don’t scan processes)
--NOREGISTRY (don’t scan registry)
--NOBOOT (don’t scan boot sectors)
--NOROOTKIT (don’t scan rootkits)
--NOSUB (don’t scan subdirectories)
--NOUNZIP (don’t scan zip files)
--NOARTEMIS (disable Artemis lookup)
--REPORTPATH= (save log to directory)
--DATPATH= (specify DAT folder)
--RAPIR (repair if virus found in file)
--ARTSENS= (change Artemis security level)
Pros and Cons of McAfee
PROS | CONS |
Free | You can’t update – you must reinstall |
Scans compressed files and self-extracting executable |
System Requirements for McAfee Stinger
Operating System | Windows Vista/7/8/Windows 10 for 32-bit and 64-bit |
Memory | 256 MB |
Disk Space | 15 MB free space required. |
McAfee Stinger Features
Simple Interface
An updated database of virus definition which protects your system from any advanced spyware, malware, viruses, and suspicious sites. The app offers a list of “Threat List” of about 3,000 viruses through its simple interface. You can access the specific list in the “advanced menu”.
Outstanding Protection from Viruses
An updated anti-virus program automatically to protect your system from continuously developing infected attacks. No doubt, a constant way of providing defense against hackers. Research labs of the app are continually busy in producing web data to save you from hackers’ techniques. Furthermore, in case of having any unknown threat, the program very quickly analyzes it, creates a cure, and then pushes it to the users to protect them.
Wide-ranging Configuration
A wide-ranging configuration helps the advanced users easy setting concerning cloud security, file extensions, Windows booting, heuristic analysis, the registry as well as scanner priority, integrity checkups, and much more. It also very quickly enables the user to carry out commands.
Compatible with Windows
With vary compatibility with all type of devices, the app has special compatibility with all type of Windows———-Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP are mainly operating system to run the app very smoothly and reliably. In addition, it requires a 32-bit and 64-bit setup.
Free Access
McAfee Stinger with freeware license available for Windows 32-bit operating system of a laptop and PC, free download with potential restrictions. Belong to the Anti-Spyware software category.
System Scan
System Scanning is a basic tool for detecting any malicious infections or cookies. Two scanning modes—-a full system scan, and a custom file and folder scan are available to select the location for processing manually. After scanning a detailed list with the information about spyware is displayed, you can fix all selected threats with a single clicking, Rootkit scanning is also provided by McAfee Stinger through its internal log.
Main Features
- Simple Interface
- Detects spyware, adware, malware, and much
- Outstanding Protection from Viruses
- Wide-ranging Configuration
- Compatible with Windows
- Free Access
- System Scan
Screenshots of McAfee Stinger Free Tools
Official Video Intro McAfee Stinger Free Tools
FAQ of McAfee Stinger: Free Virus Scan and Remove Tool
- Microsoft Security Essentials
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- TDSSKiller
- kicom
- CS Anti-Virus
- SpyShelter
- Symantec Diagnostic Tool
McAfee Stinger Free Tools Overview
Technical specification
Version | 2021 |
File Size | 17.7 MB |
Languages | German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese |
License | Free |
Developer | McAfee, LLC |
Conclusion of McAfee Stinger: Free Virus Scanner and Removal Tool
This free virus scanner and removal tool use moderate RAM and low CPU during scanning, which may take a while, depending on the target’s size. However, we have come across some issues in our tests. McAfee Stinger wouldn’t take into account the custom locations we assigned for scanning and kept running in default mode instead. Nevertheless, users are welcomed to try McAfee Stinger for themselves and figure out if it’s a suitable on-demand virus scanner for them. Just keep in mind that it does not provide real-time protection against malware, so you still have to install an all-round antivirus application to keep the PC safe at all times.
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