Abstract: Update status field information (34) is associated with a computer file (32) indicating the update status of a scanner (30, 40, 42, 44) that has previously scanned that computer file. A current scanner encountering that computer file again may examine the update status field information to determine if they match, if the update status field information does not match, then this indicates that one of the scanners concerned is out-of-date and an appropriate alert message relating to this out-of-date scanner is then generated and issued. The update status field information includes a scanner product identifier, a machine identifier, a scanner engine version identifier and a driver version identifier.

Abstract: Pre-emptive malware scanning of user specified operating system 10, 12 defined storage locations is performed to establish whether those storage locations contain any malware containing computer files. If the storage locations are malware-free, then they are classified as clean storage locations and subsequent read accesses to those storage locations will be permitted without requiring further malware scanning. Writes to clean storage locations will continue to be malware scanned.

Abstract: A library of anti computer virus test drivers is provided with classifications for the drivers which may be used to select the applied drivers in dependence upon which anti computer virus program is using that library. The library is typically shared between a suite of anti computer virus programs. The drivers are also classified with information that allows them to be placed in a priority order for application when scanning. In this way, the drivers that protect against the most threatening viruses may be checked for first and accordingly the highest level of protection achieved if the scanning process is early terminated.

Abstract: A library of anti computer virus test drivers is provided with classifications for the drivers which may be used to select the applied drivers in dependence upon which anti computer virus program is using that library. The library is typically shared between a suite of anti computer virus programs. The drivers are also classified with information that allows them to be placed in a priority order for application when scanning. In this way, the drivers that protect against the most threatening viruses may be checked for first and accordingly the highest level of protection achieved if the scanning process is early terminated.

Abstract: Pre-emptive malware scanning of user specified operating system 10, 12 defined storage locations is performed to establish whether those storage locations contain any malware containing computer files. If the storage locations are malware-free, then they are classified as clean storage locations and subsequent read accesses to those storage locations will be permitted without requiring further malware scanning. Writes to clean storage locations will continue to be malware scanned.

Abstract: Update status field information (34) is associated with a computer file (32) indicating the update status of a scanner (30, 40, 42, 44) that has previously scanned that computer file. A current scanner encountering that computer file again may examine the update status field information to determine if they match, if the update status field information does not match, then this indicates that one of the scanners concerned is out-of-date and an appropriate alert message relating to this out-of-date scanner is then generated and issued. The update status field information includes a scanner product identifier, a machine identifier, a scanner engine version identifier and a driver version identifier.

Abstract: A library of anti computer virus test drivers is provided with classifications for the drivers which may be used to select the applied drivers in dependence upon which anti computer virus program is using that library. The library is typically shared between a suite of anti computer virus programs. The drivers are also classified with information that allows them to be placed in a priority order for application when scanning. In this way, the drivers that protect against the most threatening viruses may be checked for first and accordingly the highest level of protection achieved if the scanning process is early terminated.

Abstract: A library of anti computer virus test drivers is provided with classifications for the drivers which may be used to select the applied drivers in dependence upon which anti computer virus program is using that library. The library is typically shared between a suite of anti computer virus programs. The drivers are also classified with information that allows them to be placed in a priority order for application when scanning. In this way, the drivers that protect against the most threatening viruses may be checked for first and accordingly the highest level of protection achieved if the scanning process is early terminated.