ClamPatrol

Having an anti-virus/anti-malware utility around is never a bad idea, unless your computer has some years behind and its resources are not enough to share. If you find yourself in that situation, you should check ClamPatrol out — a portable AV that employs ClamAV's Virus Database in order to detect possible threats.

Setting up an AV might sound discouraging, especially for users who are not knowledgeable enough regarding this type of software, but ClamPatrol is an exception. You'll be met by a compact panel — nothing like a standard AV — that holds a total of six tabs, each providing the data you need. Launch the executable and follow the prompt that guides you to ClamAV's official database website. Download the "main.cvd" and "daily.cvd" files, and move them to the "db" folder, found within the ClamPatrol archive. Launch the app again in order to finish the process and access the interface.

Even though CP's interface is not as flashy or complex as a full-fledged antivirus, it still manages to provide the user with features like scanning, quarantine, exclusions, etc. — all placed in easy-to-reach tabs.

If scanning isn't possible, it's not an anti-virus. In this case, scanning can be done in four ways. A smart scan, which doesn't seem that smart, as it's just a full-scan. A Removable Media Scan — a useful feature to have considering this utility was intended for this exact environment. The possibility to custom scan, and one to repeat the last scan — both useful in specific situations.

Despite being a simple shadow of a more powerful product, ClamPatrol tries not to be a copy of ClamAV, but to be what the original isn't; portable. Being able to carry the detection capabilities of ClamAV is a big plus for fans of this product, but there's a small downside. Each time the database updates, you'll have to do it manually for CP, as there is no auto-update feature.