eicar virus test file not detected

Viruses and worms
1

Hi,

I have comcast as my isp with vista home premium and which I’m using windows mail. I don’t see avast mail icon when mail is being received or sent and I see no header info in incoming mail about avast. So I’m assuming that avast is not scanning my incoming because the eicar virus test file was not detected . Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Roger1955

2

The icon is not shown on Vista, only XP and lower.
But the eicar file should be detected, which version of eicar are you using? Are you attaching it?
Is your avast set to scan inbound and outbound mail?

3

Two things:

  1. Have you checked the Internet Mail, detailed view for Last scanned: and Scanned count: fields, these should show email activity if your emails are being scanned.
  2. Have you checked the email headers there is an x-antivirus section to indicate if email has been scanned.
X-Antivirus: avast! (VPS 071211-0, 11/12/2007), Inbound message X-Antivirus-Status: Clean

Now a question, does comcast use secure SSL/TLS secure email ?
If so avast can’t scan secure email, that is the whole point of SSL/TLS email to keep out prying eyes including anti-viruses.

4

Thanks everyone,
I didn’t have a scan count at first, but I deleted my Email account and set it up again and now I see a scan count tally with zero infection. I also sent another eicar email virus test and I see the x antivirus section scanned. Thanks again everyone.

Roger1955

5

No problem, glad we could help.

6

You’re welcome. Feel free to come back any time you need help you just to change experiences 8)