After completing a scan, the window that pops up, telling which files are infected, say all files were unable to scan. It has happened every time I’ve scanned (about six scans so far.) Is this good, or is their something wrong with the files, version, or my computer? (I’m using the free version, by the way.)
Avast will usually tell you why it couldn’t scan a file in the post scan report. You may have to expand the column. The usual cause is that it can’t unpack a particular archive file. If this is the case, really not much to worry about. What are the names and extentions of some of the files?
Welcome to the forum!
Many security programs (for example AdAware - http://www.lavasoft.com) password protect their files, and since avast don’t know the password for the files, avast can’t scan the files.
But as oldman said, check why avast was unable to scan the files. You can also check where the files are located, and with that information, you maybe can track down, what program the files belongs to.
I just complete a Quick Scan. On the “Name of File” section, it begins with “C:/” only and many end in “sbRecovery.” In the results, most are “Unable to Scan Ar…” or “Unable to Scan C…”
I expanded the “Results” window as large as possible, but all it says is “Unable to scan…” but no explanation why. (I don’t have experience with “tracking down” files.)
You can expand the column widths (I don’t think they expand when you expand the window) so you can see the full information. Position the cursor at the end of the column heading until the cursor changes shape, left click, hold down and drag to the right.
However, sbrecovery sounds like a spyware blaster recovery and that would be password protected. These are copies of what you have deleted/quarantined in SB.
Many programs (usually security based ones) password protect their files for legitimate reasons such as AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy, there are others (and avast doesn’t know the password or have any way of using it even if it did know it).
When you run scans with the above programs and you delete harmful entries that they detect, a copy is kept (in quarantine/restore/backup) in case you need to reverse what you did. These are usually password protected, you should do some housekeeping and delete old backup/recovery/quarantine entries (older than a month or so), this will reduce the numbers of files that can’t be scanned.
By examining 1) the reason given by avast! for not being able to scan the files, 2) the location of the files, you can get an idea of what program they relate to. You may need to expand the column headings to see all the text.
Files that can’t be scanned are just that, not an indication they are suspicious/infected, just unable to be scanned.
Thanks, I just scanned and stretched, and like you said, they were password protected, except two “CAB archive is corrupt.” I’ll ‘housekeep’ every while in a month.
And thanks everyone. I’m mostly sure I get it now.
Good.
As for the cab files that are reported as corrupted. They may or may not be. Avast may just not have been able to open them. This has happened to me in the past. The next scan no corupt files reported.
Glad we could help, welcome to the forums.
Stick around and browse the forums, especially the sticky topics at the top of each of the forums, not to mention the avast help file. They provide a wealth of information to help you get the best from avast.