Avast Full scan always reports files which could not be scanned

[AZKID]

Every time I run a Full Scan the Avast log shows an error message for over 100 files which cannot be scanned because "error archive is password protected (42056)" . I can't do anything with these files in regards to have Avast repair, delete, move to chest etc.

What should I do with these files? Thanks for any help.

[mchain]

hi AZKID,

These errors reported are a result of avast! attempting to open these archives.  It cannot do so as it does not know the password for that particular archive. 

It does not mean the file is corrupted, only that avast! cannot open it to scan.  One common mistake is to delete these archives because of this reported error; normal options are not available for the user.  Leave these files alone; all avast! is reporting is that it cannot scan them.

Archived files cannot be run by themselves.  They are static/inactive/compressed files until the user chooses to run them.  A setup file for a program would be one such.

If you wish, you can exclude these files from scanning by avast!

Open avast! program (gui)>Settings>enter your password if needed>Global Exclusions.  Enter the file path for each of your archived files.  Click OK when done.  What this will do is tell avast! not to scan these files when a manual scan is done.  It also will exclude real-time scanners from monitoring them as well.

A quick scan once a week is usually sufficient for a clean system as avast! real-time shields should prevent any malicious files from entering your system; full scan is to be used only when quick throws a detected instance.

Hope this helps.

[Para-Noid]

If you expand the log "box" you will find your answer.

These are password protected files which avast has no way of knowing the password. There are many reasons software authors protect there products.
One is to prevent tinkering and their copyright. Most, if not all, security software is password protected, avast is a good example, as are firewalls, etc.


The fact that they are password protected does "not" indicate an infection. Basically you can leave them alone. They will be scanned by the file and behavior shields upon execution. Password protected and archive files are by nature inert and pose no harm.

May I suggest running a scan with default settings. 

[AZKID]

Thank you MCHAIN & PARA-NOID for your prompt and very helpful reply. I will take your advice and exclude these files from future Avast scans. Thanks again and have a great day 

[Pondus]

i can't do anything with these files in regards to have Avast repair, delete

avast is a antivirus program and will only take action on infected files....and as explained above, this is a scan error report and not detection


if you place your mouse pointer on the vertical bar just in front of severity and dragg sideways, then you get the full file path....take new screenshot and attach, then we may be able to tell you what they are

[AZKID]

Hi Pondus ... you are seeing the full path in my original screen-shot. Here is a current screen-shot with the path column expanded as you suggested.

[Pondus]

it seems you put the mouse pointer after severity....you must place it in front of (left side) severity

[AZKID]

Try this ....

[mchain]

Thank you MCHAIN & PARA-NOID for your prompt and very helpful reply. I will take your advice and exclude these files from future Avast scans. Thanks again and have a great day 

One consequence of excluding any file from real-time scanning is that they will not be scanned when opened.  Choose your exclusions wisely.

...There are many reasons software authors protect there products.
One is to prevent tinkering and their copyright. Most, if not all, security software is password protected, avast is a good example, as are firewalls, etc.


The fact that they are password protected does "not" indicate an infection. Basically you can leave them alone. They will be scanned by the file and behavior shields upon execution. Password protected and archive files are by nature inert and pose no harm. (Italics mine)

May I suggest running a scan with default settings. 

This is not a tool/setting to be used at will, but only for special circumstances.  You can always choose to safely ignore them and still get full avast! protection if you do not change these settings.  All real-time scanners will be disabled for these files if you choose to do this.

[Pondus]

you have not expandet it fully, as after the word download there is  \.......\

[mchain]

We need to see the entire file path.  Drag the first column box at the top until the entire path is displayed.  When this is done, take another screenshot and post back here.

A little suspicious .png files would be archived, so...   need the entire path to help you out.

[Para-Noid]

Click the maximize button. Hover and click on one line. Then post another screenshot.

[AZKID]

Sorry for the delay .... was offline for awhile. Here is what I think you are looking for .... as you can see the vast majority of the files are related to (Adobe?) flashplayer. Do you still advise just ignoring these files and not do anything within Avast and just let it be ?

Thanks again 

[abruptum]

Delete Adobe Flash Player installer from Downloads folder.That was my problem also.

[Asyn]

Here is what I think you are looking for .... as you can see the vast majority of the files are related to (Adobe?) flashplayer. Do you still advise just ignoring these files and not do anything within Avast and just let it be ?

Yes.