[Resolved] Scan help.

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Is there any way for avast 5.0 free to scan “all packers”? I keep getting “some files cannot be scanned” messages. But when I use the default settings no messages appear. Or is there a reason avast does not scan all packers?

2

Avast/Full scan/more details/ settings/ packers tab

3

If the archives are password protected, they can’t be scanned…!
asyn

4
Or is there a reason avast does not scan all packers?
yes, the scan takes longer time, and any malware will be detected when you unpac the file
I keep getting "some files cannot be scanned" messages
can be many reasons for this, like they are password protected or protected by another security program. and it does not mean they are infected

The avast team play with malware 24/7 so they know more about this then we will ever do, so you can trust that the default settings is the best for most of us

5

Hey and Welcome!

check that you have all archive marked and sometimes it happens that avast can’t scan all file due to access dine.

Regards,
Tenko

6

@Tenko: Only 3 more posts…!! :wink:
asyn

7

Unfortunately you don’t give us any information to work with so we can’t give you a specific answer. If you can give us some examples of the file names, locations and crucially ‘why they can’t be scanned,’ otherwise we will just be guessing ?

Files that can’t be scanned are just that, not an indication they are suspicious/infected, just unable to be scanned.

There are many legitimate reasons why a file can’t be scanned.

Archive (zip, rar, etc.) files are by their nature are inert, you need to extract the files and then you have to run them to be a threat. Long before that happens avast’s File System Shield should have scanned them and before an executable is run that is scanned.

8

Thanks for everyone’s help. Especially Pondus and DavidR whose responses was very informative. Now I know. And you are right avast has been playing with lots of icky things for a long time. avast knows what they are doing and I trust them. I’m not a computer “geek”, I am curious person so pardon my “stupid” questions. I never thought that a file could be inert. That makes sense. By the way the “cannot be scanned” files were pretty much archive (zip, rar,etc.) files. And everyone is right a “stupid” question is the one not asked.

9
I am curious person so pardon my "stupid" questions.
Stupid is the questions not asked, asking is learning ;)
10

True Pondus - A big +1 to this statement…!!!
asyn

11

You’re welcome.

Stupid would have been not to ask, if you have a doubt ask a question.