Avast New User Questions

Para-Noid · 2015-06-17T22:48:00.000Z

Personally I wouldn’t worry about unticking anything at all. The settings aren’t taking up any real HDD space.
I would leave them alone just in case you want to run that scan in the future. I have a custom “full system scan”
which I run once a month. If I unticked all of my settings then the next time I run that scan I would end up having to
reset those settings. There there for when I need them next time.

I am with the others when it comes to daily scans, they are nothing but overkill.
If you absolutely want to run a daily scan use the quick scan. Then once a week or
every other week run a full scan. As I said above I run monthly custom full scans but
many others might run a boot scan after a major release as in v2014, v2015 or v2016 and won’t
run another scan till the next year. “To each their own”.

Spiritual2016 · 2015-06-18T05:28:21.000Z

A Few More Questions:

Regarding On Access Protection, will a pop-up message be displayed if/when a malicious file is blocked?

If so, does the pop-up message remain until an action is taken/confirmation is given or does the message just pop-up briefly then disappear since it ‘blocks’ automatically and it can be ‘checked’ later somehow?

mchain · 2015-06-18T19:17:16.000Z

Sporty78 post:20:

One more question about On Access Protection:

Will a pop-up message be displayed if/when a malicious file is blocked?

If so, does the pop-up message remain until an action is taken/confirmation is given or does the message just pop-up briefly then disappear since it ‘blocks’ automatically?

If either Web Shield or File System Shield (Your On-access scanners) issues a block or notification, default setting within avast is to have it hang in the lower right-hand corner for twenty seconds.

If the pop-up disappears before you can completely digest what it says, or read the options provided, simply right-click the avast icon in the system tray and select ‘Show last popup message’. You can pin the popup by clicking the pin icon upper right if needed. (Note: If you reboot your system, show last popup message will be grayed out and unavailable.)

You should also be able to click a button within the popup that will call your browser and display more information while it is up. The option would then present itself to use virus total to investigate, if you wish, using the information provided.

Pondus · 2015-06-18T19:41:42.000Z

1. Regarding On Access Protection, will a pop-up message be displayed if/when a malicious file is blocked?

you can test and see how it works with EICAR test file ... not a virus, just a test string that trigger the function

EICAR test file http://www.eicar.org/85-0-Download.html

Spiritual2016 · 2015-06-18T19:49:34.000Z

What is ‘Virus Total’ and what it be necessary to check it or is it just additional information since Avast already takes care of blocking it?

Is 2015.10.2.2218 the latest ‘regular’ Program Version or is 2015.10.3.2219 the latest Program Version but only in beta mode and should not be relied on yet?

Second, will the Beta Program Version 2015.10.3.2219 be installed during the next automatic update, installed during the next manual update, automatically/manually installed as an update once it is out of ‘Beta’ mode, or will the new version have to be installed as a separate file only when it is out of Beta mode

bob3160 · 2015-06-18T20:13:08.000Z

Sporty78 post:23:

What is ‘Virus Total’ and what it be necessary to check it or is it just additional information since Avast already takes care of blocking it?

Is 2015.10.2.2218 the latest ‘regular’ Program Version or is 2015.10.3.2219 the latest Program Version but only in beta mode and should not be relied on yet?

Second, will the Beta Program Version 2015.10.3.2219 be installed during the next automatic update, installed during the next manual update, automatically/manually installed as an update once it is out of ‘Beta’ mode, or will the new version have to be installed as a separate file only when it is out of Beta mode

What is Virus Total : https://www.virustotal.com/en/about/
Will the beta version be installed during the next automatic update? : Only if you are a regular Avast beta tester.
If not, the answer is NO.
Latest version of Avast is 2015.10.2.2218. The Beta version will not be release for general use till it’s ready.
At that time it will no longer be a beta build.

Pondus · 2015-06-18T20:15:13.000Z

www.virustotal.com / www.metascan-online.com are two very usefull online tools

they are multi antivirus engines that you can use for checking suspicious files
Virustotal can also check URLs for blacklisting. Metascan can also check IP for blacklisting

see example here, just checked a fake mail attachment

https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/087044ca9be10f23f3af9c4f15a41b11c33b939df11944c4a2d87151136425bc/analysis/1434658616/

https://www.metascan-online.com/en/scanresult/file/cd4cb5f45ce54ca5be3547f014130b06

DavidR · 2015-06-18T20:24:07.000Z

@ Sporty78
VirusTotal is a web site that you can upload suspect files to and have multiple different virus scanners (over 40+). This can confirm a detection is good or a possible false positive.

Version 2015.10.3.2219 is a beta version, you won’t get this unless you elect to download it and install over the top of your existing. So Beta versions aren’t installed on regular program updates, unless you have previously installed the beta version.

Beta testing is not to be entered into lightly, especially on a non-testbed system. Whilst I don’t know your experience level other than from your posts in the forums, my advice would be to stick on the regular program update channel.

Spiritual2016 · 2015-06-18T20:34:41.000Z

Okay, I do have the latest version then-I just wanted to check.

When Version 2015.10.3.2219 becomes ‘mainstream’:

-Will it be updated automatically or manually

-Will it update over Version 2015.10.2.2218 or will Version 2015.10.2.2218 have to be uninstalled before Version 2015.10.3.2219 can be installed?

-Is it necessary for a novice to run ‘Virus Total’ or is it only meant as additional information for inquiring minds?

bob3160 · 2015-06-18T20:38:02.000Z

Sporty78 post:27:

Okay, I do have the latest version then-I just wanted to check.

When Version 2015.10.3.2219 becomes ‘mainstream’:

-Will it be updated automatically or manually

-Will it update over Version 2015.10.2.2218 or will Version 2015.10.2.2218 have to be uninstalled before Version 2015.10.3.221 can be installed?

-Is it necessary for a novice to run ‘Virus Total’ or is it only meant as additional information for inquiring minds?

Unless you’ve changed the default settings, you’ll most likely receive a popup letting you know there is a new version available for download or,
a notice within the User Interface advising you of the availability.
Virus total is usually used for a second opinion so you could call it a service for inquiring minds.

Pondus · 2015-06-18T20:44:09.000Z

-Is it necessary for a novice to run 'Virus Total' or is it only meant as additional information for inquiring minds?

no security program have 100% detection, the file i posted above is 1 day old and only half of the AV detect it

this one is 6 hours old fake mail attchment and not detected by avast …yet
https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/67789a0b637206cfb850f433226ca134ec0b81138e0ad0466be642fe97ec5649/analysis/1434659569/

so if you have a suspicious file and want a second opinion, you may use it

Spiritual2016 · 2015-06-18T20:49:56.000Z

‘Virus Total’ only scans uploaded files but it does not ‘fix’ anything, correct?

Should only recognized files be ‘accepted/unblocked’ or should all detected files be scanned using ‘Virus Total?’

No, I have not changed the default settings. When the pop-up/Notice in User Interface is clicked, will the new version automatically install over the existing version or will it uninstall the previous version first?

Will Avast only detect files attempting to be downloaded or anything that might be suspicious on a webpage?

Pondus · 2015-06-18T21:04:52.000Z

'Virus Total' only scans uploaded files but it does not 'fix' anything, correct?

correct ... VT is not on your computer it is online

[b]Should only recognized files be 'accepted/unblocked' [/b]or should all detected files be scanned using 'Virus Total?'

Not sure what you mean ..... testing files at VT is a user choise, you do with your file(s) as you want

Will Avast only detect files attempting to be downloaded or anything that might be suspicious on a webpage?

it detect malicious downloads and infected websites

Now try using google a bit

Spiritual2016 · 2015-06-18T21:08:52.000Z

I will be clearer in what I am asking:

When Avast detects a suspicious file and displays the pop-up message, does it automatically quarantine it or does it give an option to ‘accept/unblock’ it?
Should only unrecognized files be scanned with ‘Virus Total’ before an option on the pop-up is given?

3 Will Avast only detect files attempting to be downloaded or will it detect anything that might be suspicious on a webpage?

When the pop-up/Notice in User Interface is clicked, will the new version automatically install over the existing version or will it uninstall the previous version first?

Pondus · 2015-06-18T21:12:47.000Z

avast FAQ https://www.avast.com/faq.php
FAQ videos https://www.avast.com/faq.php?q=video
avast blog https://blog.avast.com

youtube https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=avast

configure avast https://www.winhelp.us/configure-avast-free-antivirus.html

Spiritual2016 · 2015-06-18T21:13:59.000Z

Pondus, please just answer these 3 questions and that will be the end of it.

As a new user and a 70 year old female, there is a lot of information to digest and I want to be proactive in making sure I understand the various options.

Regarding On-Access Scanning, when Avast detects a suspicious file and displays the pop-up message, does it automatically quarantine it or does it give an option to ‘accept/unblock’ it?
Will Avast only detect files attempting to be downloaded or will it detect anything that might be suspicious on a webpage?
Should only unrecognized files be scanned with ‘Virus Total’ before choosing an option on the pop-up?

bob3160 · 2015-06-18T22:04:40.000Z

Sporty78 post:34:

Pondus, please just answer these 3 questions and that will be the end of it.

As a new user and a 70 year old female, there is a lot of information to digest and I want to be proactive in making sure I understand the various options.

Regarding On-Access Scanning, when Avast detects a suspicious file and displays the pop-up message, does it automatically quarantine it or does it give an option to ‘accept/unblock’ it?

Will Avast only detect files attempting to be downloaded or will it detect anything that might be suspicious on a webpage?

Should only unrecognized files be scanned with ‘Virus Total’ before choosing an option on the pop-up?

This isn’t a Q&A forum but a Support forum. I think the links Pondus gave you supplied more information that you asked for.
You need to do a little work on your own. It’s the only way to learn and remember.

Pondus · 2015-06-18T22:07:22.000Z

1. Regarding On-Access Scanning, when Avast detects a suspicious file and displays the pop-up message, does it automatically quarantine it or does it give an option to 'accept/unblock' it?

it depends on the settings .... info is found in the last link posted above

2. Will Avast only detect files attempting to be downloaded or will it detect anything that might be suspicious on a webpage?

answered in a post above

3. Should only unrecognized files be scanned with 'Virus Total' before choosing an option on the pop-up?

answered in a post above

now do some investigating on your own, read my post/answers again … check out the links i gave you

and good night

Rednose · 2015-06-18T22:37:29.000Z

Hi Sporty78

The tutorial from Winhelp that Pondus posted is a very good start.
And of course the Avast Faq.

Also in the Avast user interface you can get a lot of information by clicking on the questionmark ( ? ) on each page.
But when you are going to explore the user interface, make a back up from your ( default ) settings first : Avast - Settings - General - Back up setings.

Greetz, Red.

Spiritual2016 · 2015-06-18T22:53:40.000Z

Thanks Everyone-The WinHelp Tutorial, although long, was very detailed and helpful!

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