system files in Virus Chest??

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi everyone,

I was just nosing around in Avast! and went into the Virus Chest and was quickly reminded that I still had three ‘system’ files in it. I am pretty sure they were put in there after my initial scan back in November.

I can’t see the files when I click on ‘Infected’ Files, just when I click on ‘System Files’ or ‘All Chest Files’.

The files in question are:

(1) kernel32.dll C:\WINDOWS\system32
(2) winsock.dll " " "
(3) wsock32.dll " " "

I figured that since they were system files and they didn’t show under the ‘Infected File’ folder I would try to restore them.

So I right clicked each of them and chose the ‘Restore’ option. Each time I would get the following ‘Overwrite’ message:

" … You are trying to restore a file from the chest. The file already exists. Should the program overwrite the existing file? …"

Needless to say I chose ‘Cancel’ and got out of there as fast as I could.

I then did a system search for all three of the files and found each of them in my WINDOWS folder.

My question is should I just leave these three files in the chest or is it safe to delete them from it (the chest)?

I am also curious how they even got in the chest if they aren’t recognized as ‘infected’ files?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever

2

Hello :slight_smile:

Here’s some info from avast’s help files :wink:

[b] During the installation, avast! copies some critical system files into the Chest, under the "System files" category. Those files might cause the operating system to crash if they get infected by a virus. If needed, those files can be restored from the Chest to their original location. Should an unknown virus infect the computer despite the extensive protection from the avast! antivirus package and alter an important system file, it can then be easily restored to its original state.[/b]
3

Hi,

I appreciate your fast response and the information from the program’s help file.

So, am I correct in assuming that if the need ever arose I would chose the restore option to ‘overwrite’ the existing file?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever

4

Yes, if the system files get infected you can restore them overwritten the infected ones 8)

5

Hi Tech,

That’s the answer I was searching for!

I appreciate your following up on my post.

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever