password protected files

[buckshot3311]

I'm running windows 98SE how do i remove the password on the archived files that cannot be scanned in order for them to be scanned? or is it even necessity to have them scanned to protect my computer? also how did these files get a password in the first place?

thanks,
buckshot3311

[MFB]

You can try unlocker:

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Scroll down to find download links for your OS.

[Lisandro]

I'm running windows 98SE how do i remove the password on the archived files that cannot be scanned in order for them to be scanned? or is it even necessity to have them scanned to protect my computer? also how did these files get a password in the first place?

If the files are passworded, avast! can't scan them because it does not 'know' the password.
Standard Shield will detected them when you unzip them.
Your computer is protected while they are passworded.
The most frequently reason to a file be passworded is because it contains 'secret' data but, remember, other applications should encrypt their files if they have 'security' content: virus signatures for instance. SpyBot for instance should do this. Don't worry, it's right and safe. The applications need the signatures to scan but they can't be 'opened' because other programs will think they are 'real viruses' 

[DavidR]

I doubt that you will be able to remove the passwords protecting the files, what you need to identify is the program that has protected the files (check the path to the file, that should indicate the program) and decide if the use is legitimate.

[polonus]

Hi DavidR,

I too have these password protected files, and sometimes they are there for a good reason. I know Spybot S&D makes some for its settings, and the same goes for Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. If you do an on line scan with another av platform e.g. the Romanian Bitdefender on line-scanner it mentions them. If Bitdefender cannot get to them, malware does not either.

Have a nice virusfree day,

POLONUS