Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am trying to open the GCI Online Scanner. When clicking on the link I just see a window flashing quickly and then nothing happens. What is wrong?
A: You don't have enough user rights to install the required ActiveX control. You need to run Internet Explorer once with administrative rights first. To do this:

1. Right click on the Internet Explorer icon.
2. Chose "Run as."and select an account with administrator rights.
3. After having run GCI Online Scanner once, you can run GCI Online Scanner normally until the ActiveX control needs updating.

Q: I am trying to open the GCI Online Scanner. When clicking on the link there is warning that the current security settings prohibits running ActiveX controls on this page and as a result the page might not display properly. When clicking OK the GCI Online Scanner window closes. Why is this happening?
A: Your security settings in Internet Explorer prevent ActiveX controls from being downloaded and installed to your computer. You need to lower your security settings a little in order to run GCI Online Scanner. From the "Tools" menu in Internet Explorer chose "Internet Options." and then click on the "Security Tab". Then click on the "Custom level" button. In the option "Download signed ActiveX control" change the option from "Disable" to "Prompt" and then click OK. There is no need to change anything else. This change will now cause Internet Explorer to prompt you before installing an ActiveX control instead of just rejecting it. Before you accept an ActiveX control, always check the signature of the ActiveX control and that the signature have been verified by a trusted CA.
Warning: Don't select the "Enable" alternative for downloading ActiveX controls, since that might lead to that harmful content is installed on your computer without your knowledge.

Q: There is a security warning when I am opening the GCI Online Scanner page, which asks me if I want to install and run "Beta". Why is this happening?
A: The GCI Online Scanner architecture is based on an ActiveX control. Internet Explorer will most probably (depending on the security settings) for security reasons ask the user for confirmation before any ActiveX control can downloaded, installed and run. This is to prevent unwanted malicious software from being installed on your computer. To ensure that the GCI Online Scanner is safe to install, check that:

• It has been signed by F-Secure Corporation
• That a trusted CA like Thawte Code Signing CA has verified the authenticity of the signature.

Q: Are any other browsers than Internet Explorer supported?
A: No. Only Internet Explorer is supported at the moment.

Q: Do I need a real anti-virus product or is GCI Online Scanner enough?
A: An Online Scanner solution can never replace a real anti-virus. A real anti-virus product provides real time protection against viruses, automatic updates with very quick response time, memory scanning and usually have a firewall and several other protection mechanisms integrated. The GCI Online Scanner only provides a limited scanning functionality for an initial virus check of your computer.

Q: GCI Online Scanner is not able to scan files in all folders. Why not?
A: You cannot scan files or folders you do not have access rights to, if you are not an administrator. Real anti-virus products are usually able to give this kind of protection.

Q: GCI Online Scanner found viruses in my computer. What should I do?
A:Buy an anti-virus product to prevent future infections. As a first aid, you can click on the link in the virus found report window. This will take you to the GCI web site where for more information about the virus and possible manual disinfection instructions or tools.

Q: I am scanning my computer with GCI Online Scanner where I have a real time anti-virus product installed. The real-time product finds a virus (or Eicar) but GCI Online Scanner does not. Why not?
A: The reason is that the real-time anti-virus product intercepts the scanning when a virus (or Eicar) is found and blocks access to it (as it is supposed to do), because the GCI Online Scanner reads the file and the real-time virus should scan all accessed files. Try to rename the Eicar file to eicar.xxx which the real-time scanner might not block.

Q: Are archives scanned?
A: Files with extension .zip are scanned to see that they are not fake zip-files, but the archive files are not extracted and scanned inside.

Q: Can GCI Online Scanner be used to disinfect virus infections?
A: Consult the service provider of these web pages in this question.

Q: The amount of scanned files in a folder does not match with the amount of files shown by DIR /S in the folder.
A: DIR /S does not count all files. The scanned amount matches with the amount of files shown in if you right click on a folder and chose properties, when browsing your files and folders.

Q: How do I uninstall GCI Online Scanner from my computer.
A: Usually you don't uninstall ActiveX controls. However, this is possible.

1. Open the folder "Downloaded Program Files" under your Windows folder in Explorer.
2. Right click on "GCI Online Scanner" and chose "Remove"
3. Delete the anti-virus definitions files from your %TEMP%\OnlineScanner folder.