Pay now, scan later

Darius Chang | Jun 23, 2006

When you're feeling hot and your nose is wet, who are you going to call? A doctor obviously. But what if it's your PC which is suffering from the sniffles because you didn't shell out the dough for an antivirus software?

Enter Housecall--an online malware scanning and removal tool offered by Sing-Gium International and Trend Micro--which uses a prepaid revenue model. For S$8.90, cheaper than two McDonalds happy meals, you get 30 scans which have to be used within 90 days. Housecall will detect and destroy viruses, worms, Trojans, adware and spyware from the system.

However, though the trend seems to be heading toward pay-per-scan services, online scanning should be a complement, and not a substitute, for a proper antivirus software. Using Housecall is akin to sending in a special forces team to clear an enemy-infected territory. However, we feel that proper PC defense should be similar to a police force whose daily patrols prevent massive invasion.