I just did a complete scan of my computer (Windows 2000 pro) using the latest updated version of Avast Home, 4.7. For some reason it took 45 minutes, rather than the usual 20-25. The only thing that has changed since the last scan is that I’ve uninstalled Ad-Aware and installed Spybot S&D, but of course that does not run in the background. The scanner setting - thorough scan, scan archives - is the same as always.
Is this change due to something I’ve recently downloaded from Alwil? If not, what might be causing it?
Just going through you first post again and see that you said you do a thorough scan ‘with’ archives.
Depending on what you have on your system those settings could well increase scan durations. If you were getting a thorough scan with archives enabled in 20-25 minutes you are doing very well, even at 45 minutes isn’t unreasonable, though a lot depends on how much data is on your HDD/s and being scanned.
My personal feelings about scanning archives and thorough scans.
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 Standard Shield should have scanned them and before an executable is run that is scanned. Thorough is also by its design very thorough and perhaps a little overkill for routine use, were a Standard scan without archives should be adequate.
I have only ever done a through scan with archives once shortly after installation just to ensure a clean start state, but with XP for example avast will do a boot-time scan after installation if you select it, this I believe will be quicker and reasonably effective. Like everything in life things are a compromise.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to provide some insight on archive scanning. Based on what you’ve stated, I see no reason to keep including it.
As far as the scan time doubling, I don’t believe I changed any of the scan parameters. If I’m wrong it wouldn’t be the first time. The cause of this remains a mystery as far as I’m concerned, but it’s a small one and I’ll live with it.
Mine gradually got longer over time. As it turned out, my hard drive was going corrupt (hence the problems I was also having with Avast locking up/quitting) and I didn’t know it. Once I got my HDD replaced the problem(s) ceased.
I don’t know how old your machine is–mine’s around five years–but if it’s more than a couple years old I’d use CheckDisk or another utility to make sure your drive’s not quietly going bad. I’m not saying that it necessarily IS, but it’s something you might want to be aware of.
