Scanning downloads/scheduling scans/firewall

system · 2007-05-25T14:40:38.000Z

Good morning. I’m giving the AVAST freebie a trial on my VISTA system. So far so good, but I have a couple of questions and I cannot seem to find the answers in HELP.

I use a download manager. With my previous anti-vi scanner, I could put the name of the *.exe file in my manager and the download scanner would automatically scan each download. How do I do this with the AVAST program?
How does one schedule scans to take place? I have yet to come across a day/time scheduler.
Any recommendations of more fuller featured firewalls to accompany AVAST? Right now, I am using the VISTA firewall.

Thanks much!

DavidR · 2007-05-25T14:50:46.000Z

Assuming that you installed avast! in the default folder, this is the path needed to scan downloads, C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashQuick.exe
These advanced automated options are only available in the Pro version.
Check this work around out - HOWTO: Scheduled Automatic Scans avast! Home Version!

The major disadvantage with the task scheduler trick of using ashquick.exe is, it will scan every file of the hdd, partition, folder or file that you set it to scan; even those files not considered a potential threat, this can take a long time. It is possible to add certain folders to the exclusions list for say your media files, etc. This could leave you vulnerable if that folder got infected as it wouldn’t be scanned by the on-demand scanner as you have excluded it.
The Pro version gives a lot more flexibility and the scan would follow the settings and exclusions, etc. of the regular scan.
With the different levels of protection of and the fall back of the Standard Shield, I find the need for daily scheduled scans lessened. I prefer to do a manual scan with my regular weekly maintenance tasks.

There aren’t that many firewalls that are Vista compatible, then again you don’t say if you are prepared to pay, as there are I believe fewer free firewalls (worth a look), I believe Comodo and PC Tools Firewall Plus are either Vista compatible or close to release. Don’t know much on Vista compatibility as I’m not using it.

Bluesman · 2007-05-25T16:18:05.000Z

DavidR post:2:

I believe Comodo and PC Tools Firewall Plus are either Vista compatible or close to release.

Yes, an beta of a Vista compatible version of Comodo Firewall Pro is scheduled to be released 7 june.

http://forums.comodo.com/index.php/topic,6927.0.html

PC Tools Firewall is Vista compatible:

http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

system · 2007-05-25T20:12:07.000Z

Thanks for the help. It worked (the download scan). I decided to give the for-pay version of Avast! a trial, so I downloaded it, too, and installed it, and immediately set it up to do a scan of my three drives while I went to lunch. Worked fine. If it behaves for me, I’ll be delighted to pay for it.

I’m using the VISTA firewall at the moment. It seems to be working ok.

I’d been running the ZA internet suite beta for a couple months, but it really slowed down reboots and file executions, and crashed a lot (supposedly an advanced beta, too), so I just got tired of it.

Lisandro · 2007-05-25T20:46:34.000Z

hakr post:4:

I’ll be delighted to pay for it.

Welcome to avast Pro 8)

hakr post:4:

I’m using the VISTA firewall at the moment. It seems to be working ok.

It could be better but, at the moment, as you can see by ZA behavior, don’t mess that much your Vista installation could be a reasonable suggestion, don’t you think?

DavidR · 2007-05-25T22:30:10.000Z

hakr post:4:

Thanks for the help. It worked (the download scan). I decided to give the for-pay version of Avast! a trial, so I downloaded it, too, and installed it, and immediately set it up to do a scan of my three drives while I went to lunch. Worked fine. If it behaves for me, I’ll be delighted to pay for it

No problem, glad we could help.

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