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Other => Viruses and worms => Topic started by: Otterfan on August 16, 2006, 10:50:47 PM

Title: "file could not be scanned"
Post by: Otterfan on August 16, 2006, 10:50:47 PM
Hi everybody. I know I have a virus, worm, trojan, something. Went to MajorGeeks for help and found free version of avast! Virus Cleaner. I ran it, and it said no viruses found. However, 8 files in Documents and Settings read "file cannot be scanned". Could the malware be hiding in here? How do I get it out? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! ;D
Title: Re: "file could not be scanned"
Post by: Spiritsongs on August 16, 2006, 11:02:38 PM
 :)  Hi :

     Have you read the info at :
     http://www.avast.com/eng/faq-other-questions.html

    where it says :

    "Q: When the file scanning is finished, avast! comes up with a number of files listed as "unable to scan", even though I have used a thorough scan. Should I be concerned?

A: Some files are permanently locked by the system or they are in password-protected archives. These files cannot be scanned. It is normal and you donĀ“t have to be worried about that. "

   Assuming you have Win XP Operating System, I recommend
  you go to www.ewido.net/en and EITHER run their Online
  Scanner or download,install, update their program .
Title: Re: "file could not be scanned"
Post by: DavidR on August 16, 2006, 11:12:32 PM
Hi everybody. I know I have a virus, worm, trojan, something. Went to MajorGeeks for help and found free version of avast! Virus Cleaner. I ran it, and it said no viruses found. However, 8 files in Documents and Settings read "file cannot be scanned". Could the malware be hiding in here? How do I get it out? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! ;D

The avast virus cleaner is only for a specific list of viruses/worms, that list is on the avast web site but obviously not MajorGeeks, see avast! Anti-virus Cleaner (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_cleaner.html). Or are you talking about the avast4 home free version of avast ?

What AV are you using ?

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 two weeks 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.