Scan

You will normally want to monitor your system constantly. To this end, use the Guard (= on-access scanner). You can thus scan all files that are copied or opened on the computer "on the fly", for viruses and unwanted programs.

Scan mode

Here the time for scanning of a file is defined.

Scan when reading

If this option is enabled, the Guard scans the files before they are read or executed by the application or the operating system.

Scan when writing

If this option is enabled, the Guard scans a file when writing. You can only access the file again after this process has been completed.

Scan when reading and writing

If this option is enabled, the Guard scans files before opening, reading and executing and after writing. This option is enabled as the default setting and is recommended.

Files

The Guard can use a filter to scan only those files with a certain extension (type).

All files

If this option is enabled, all files, irrespective of their content and their file extension, are scanned for viruses or unwanted programs, i.e. the filter is not used.

Note
If All files is enabled, the button File extensions cannot be selected.

Smart Extensions

If this option is enabled, the selection of the files scanned for viruses or unwanted programs is automatically chosen by Avira AntiVir Server. This means that Avira AntiVir Server decides whether the files are scanned or not based on their content. This procedure is somewhat slower than Use file extension list, but more secure, since not only on the basis of the file extension is scanned.

Note
If Smart Extensions is enabled, the button File extensions cannot be selected.

Use file extension list

If this option is enabled, only files with a specified extension are scanned. All file types that may contain viruses and unwanted programs are preset. The list can be edited manually via the button File extension. This setting is activated by default and is recommended.

Note
If this option is enabled and you have deleted all entries from the list with file extensions, this is indicated with the text "No file extensions" under the button File extensions.

File extensions

With the aid of this button, a dialog window is opened in which all file extensions are displayed that are scanned in Use file extension list mode. Default entries are set for the extensions, but entries can be added or deleted.

Note
Please note that the file extension list may vary from version to version.

Archives

Scan archive

If this option is enabled, then archives will be scanned. Compressed files are scanned, then decompressed and scanned again. This option is deactivated by default. The archive scan is restricted by the recursion depth, the number of files to be scanned and the archive size. You can set the maximum recursion depth, the number of files to be scanned and the maximum archive size.

Note
This option is deactivated by default, since the process puts heavy demands on the computer's performance. It is generally recommended that archives be checked using an on-demand scan.

Maximum recursion depth

When scanning archives, the Guard uses a recursive scan: Archives in archives are also unpacked and scanned for viruses and unwanted programs. You can define the recursion depth. The default value for the recursion depth is 1 and is recommended: all archives that are directly located in the main archive are unpacked and scanned.

Maximum number of files

When scanning archives, you can restrict the scan to a maximum number of files in the archive. The default value for the maximum number of files to be scanned is 10 and is recommended.

Maximum size (KB)

When scanning archives, you can restrict the scan to a maximum archive size to be unpacked. The standard value of 1000 KB is recommended.

Drives

Local drives

When the option has been activated, files of local drives, such as HDUs, CD and diskette drives, MO and ZIP drives, etc. only are monitored. This option is enabled as the default setting and is recommended.

Network drives

If this option is enabled, files on network drives (mapped drives) such as server volumes, peer drives et cetera, are scanned.

Note
In order not to reduce the performance of your computer too much, the option Network drives should only be enabled in exceptional cases.

Warning
If this option is disabled, the network drives are not monitored. You are no longer protected against viruses or unwanted programs!

Note
When files are executed on network drives, they are scanned by the Guard - irrespective of the setting for the Network Drives option. In some cases files on network drives are scanned while being opened, even though the Network Drives option is disabled. Reason: These files are accessed with ‘Execute File’ rights. If you want to exclude these files or even executed files on network drives from scanning by the Guard, enter the files in the list of file objects to be excluded (see: Guard::Scan::Exceptions).