Once in a while I get a window that opens at lower right with a voice
massage saying my antivirus has been updated.
Does this mean I do not need to manually run the virus checker once in a while,
or does Avast do so in the background once in a while?
The notification is for the VPS (virus signatures) updates. It does not imply that a scan for virii has occured. Since Avast has active scanning of files active on your system, there is little need for manual scanning. That said, I do a manual scan about once per week.
The updates ensure that your ongoing protection via the Shields, etc. is continually the best it can be.
However, it does not set up a thorough scan of your computer on its own. You can start one via the Scan section of your Avast UI at any time, and with a little elbow grease there you can even Schedule one (a very good idea) to run regularly, for example at night.
-Noel
or activate screensaver scan … then you dont have to think about doing it
Thanks for the replies; helped a lot.
How do a “screensaver scan”?
(I am familiar with the scan settings area but cannot find that).
Am using the Premier 2014 edition of Avast.
You first have to select the avast screensaver in the Normal Windows screensaver.
Not sure which version of Operating System (OS) you have - right click on a clear part of the desktop, select Properties > Screen Saver - from the drop-down list select avast! antivirus > now use the Settings button to adjust how you want avast to run (you may need to adapt this for your OS).