You can define the behavior of the on-demand scan routine. If you select certain directories to be scanned, depending on the configuration, the System Scanner scans:
| • | with a certain scanning priority, |
| • | also boot sectors and main memory, |
| • | all or selected files in the directory. |
The System Scanner can use a filter to scan only those files with a certain extension (type).
If this option is enabled, all files are scanned for viruses or unwanted programs, irrespective of their content and file extension. The filter is not used.
Note
If All files is enabled, the button File extensions cannot be selected.
If this option is enabled, the selection of the files scanned for viruses or unwanted programs is automatically chosen by the program. This means that your Avira program 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. This option is enabled as the default setting and is recommended.
Note
If Use smart extensions is enabled, the button File extensions cannot be selected.
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".
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.
With the aid of this button, a dialog box 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 default list may vary from version to version.
Scan boot sectors of selected drives
If this option is enabled, the System Scanner scans the boot sectors of the drives selected for the system scan. This option is enabled as the default setting.
Scan master boot sectors
If this option is enabled, the System Scanner scans the master boot sectors of the hard disk(s) used in the system.
Ignore offline files
If this option is enabled, the direct scan ignores so-called offline files completely during a scan. This means that these files are not scanned for viruses and unwanted programs. Offline files are files that were physically moved by a so-called Hierarchical Storage Management System (HSMS) from the hard disk onto a tape, for example. This option is enabled as the default setting.
Integrity checking of system files
When this option is enabled, the most important Windows system files are subjected to a particularly secure check for changes by malware during every on-demand scan. If an amended file is detected, this is reported as suspect. This function uses a lot of computer capacity. That is why the option is disabled as the default setting.
Note
This option is only available with Windows Vista and higher.
Note
This option should not be used if you are using third-party tools that modify system files and adapt the boot or start screen to your own requirements. Examples of such tools are skinpacks, TuneUp utilities or Vista Customization.
Optimized scan
When the option is enabled, the processor capacity is optimally utilized during a System Scanner scan. For performance reasons, an optimized scan is only logged on standard level.
Note
This option is only available on multi-processor systems.
Follow symbolic links
If this option is enabled, System Scanner performs a scan that follows all symbolic links in the scan profile or selected directory and scans the linked files for viruses and malware.
Note
The option does not include any shortcuts, but refers exclusively to symbolic links (generated by mklink.exe) or Junction Points (generated by junction.exe) that are transparent in the file system.
Search for Rootkits before scan
If this option is enabled and a scan is started, the System Scanner scans the Windows system directory for active rootkits in a so-called shortcut. This process does not scan your computer for active rootkits as comprehensively as the scan profile "Scan for rootkits", but it is significantly quicker to perform. This option only changes the settings of profiles created by you.
Note
The rootkits scan is not available for Windows XP 64 bit
Scan Registry
If this option is enabled, the Registry is scanned for references to malware. This option only changes the settings of profiles created by you.
Ignore files and paths on network drives
If this option is enabled, network drives connected to the computer are excluded from the on-demand scan. This option is recommended when the servers or other workstations are themselves protected with anti-virus software. This option is disabled as the default setting.
Allow stopping the Scanner
If this option is enabled, the scan for viruses or unwanted programs can be terminated at any time with the button "Stop" in the "Luke Filewalker" window. If you have disabled this setting, the Stop button in the "Luke Filewalker" window has a gray background. Premature ending of a scan process is thus not possible! This option is enabled as the default setting.
Scanner priority
With the on-demand scan, the System Scanner distinguishes between priority levels. This is only effective if several processes are running simultaneously on the workstation. The selection affects the scanning speed.
low
The System Scanner is only allocated processor time by the operating system, if no other process requires computation time, i.e. as long as only the System Scanner is running, the speed is maximum. All in all, work with other programs is optimal: The computer responds more quickly if other programs require computation time while the System Scanner continues running in the background.
medium
The System Scanner is executed with normal priority. All processes are allocated the same amount of processor time by the operating system. This option is enabled as the default setting and is recommended. Under certain circumstances, work with other applications may be affected.
high
The System Scanner has the highest priority. Simultaneous work with other applications is almost impossible. However, the System Scanner completes its scan at maximum speed.
Copyright © 2014 Avira Operations GmbH & Co. KG
Last change on 20.03.2018