How Do I Pump Up Avast Free Before A Scan?

[kokolovich]

Hey,

I'm currently using the latest version of Avast Free for my home computer. I'm concerned that I am not getting the maximum effort from the program due to
settings that I don't understand. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to configure my scan settings to get the very most out of each scan. I just want to make sure that my scans are the best and most thorough when I use them.

I'm using Chrome with Windows 7 Home Premium. I also have Malwarebytes Pro installed. Below is a link to my computer specs if that helps.

http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/kb/docDisplay/?sp4ts.oid=5187034&spf_p.tpst=kbDocDisplay&spf_p.prp_kbDocDisplay=wsrp-navigationalState%3DdocId%253Demr_na-c03412349-4%257CdocLocale%253D%257CcalledBy%253D&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

Other than that I have just one more question while I'm at it. Often times my Malwarebytes window pops up in the system tray saying that it has blocked
a site or something. It indicates that the outgoing program being blocked is Avast. I'm not sure what it means. When I do scans, I never run both Avast and Malwarebytes at the same time. Am I doing something wrong?

Thank you for taking the time to help.

Sincerely,
kokolovich

[.: L' arc :.]

The preconfigured full system scan is the most comprehensive scan there is. However, if you still intend to go beyond what its default settings are, you may:

• Check Scan all files in the scan tab
• Check Test whole files in the sensitivity tab
• Check Scan for potentially unwanted programs (PUP) in the sensitivity tab
• Check Follow links during scan in the sensitivity tab
• Check All packers in the packers tab

These settings would make the full system scan ultra-comprehensive, but otherwise an overkill (imagine the longer scanning time ). It's very unlikely that you'll notice a difference in detections since the preconfigured full system scan settings were already comprehensive and effective as-is.

[kokolovich]

The preconfigured full system scan is the most comprehensive scan there is. However, if you still intend to go beyond what its default settings are, you may:

• Check Scan all files in the scan tab
• Check Test whole files in the sensitivity tab
• Check Scan for potentially unwanted programs (PUP) in the sensitivity tab
• Check Follow links during scan in the sensitivity tab
• Check All packers in the packers tab

These settings would make the full system scan ultra-comprehensive, but otherwise an overkill (imagine the longer scanning time ). It's very unlikely that you'll notice a difference in detections since the preconfigured full system scan settings were already comprehensive and effective as-is.

Thank you Sir.

[mchain]

hi kokolovich,

Just so you know, a PUP (Possibly Unwanted Program) scan is not set to run out-of-the-box because some users don't understand what a PUP is.  Avast! developers have set it to not run to minimize complaints against their program but have also offered the option to scan such for those who do know what a PUP is.  Problem is, many users may well have a program or two they like, but once avast! is set to scan PUP's it doesn't like it and may well then remove it from their system.

Definition of what a PUP is here:  (Includes all other malware definitions, so you will know a little better what you are getting into):  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware#Grayware  Grayware is also know(n) as PUP.

For the average user, the default settings out-of-the-box are best left as they are; any missed detections that occur, the majority of the time, are not because avast! was not set to the maximum settings but because the virii malware is unknown to avast!   

You may be looking at possibly a few false positive detections on known clean (not infected) files running at maximum settings, so...  Never delete a file as it may well be clean under these conditions.  Once a file is deleted, it is gone forever.  Delete a Windows file (not an application file) and you break Windows and that may be a false positive detection (FP) so now you've got a problem where there was not one before.  Think (or ask here) before you do anything.

[EDIT:]  Malwarebytes Pro (Paid for or 30-day trial version) monitors your web connections and blocks those it considers to be harmful.  The free version does not have this type of protection.

You can safely run both Malwarebytes Pro (or free) and avast! together; they are compatible.  No adverse impact on your system under normal use.

[Pondus]

I'm concerned that I am not getting the maximum effort from the program due to settings that I don't understand.

if so, i suggest you stay with default settings

[SoccerFan707]

I'm concerned that I am not getting the maximum effort from the program due to settings that I don't understand.

if so, i suggest you stay with default settings

If the settings could not be changed then they wouldn't be there. By default avast does not detect PUPS. There is nothing wrong with turning everything up to run a full scan. Why not? Thats why we can tweak it to our liking. But when you turn heuristics to high thats a different story. You can increase false positives that way.

[bob3160]

I'm concerned that I am not getting the maximum effort from the program due to settings that I don't understand.

if so, i suggest you stay with default settings

If the settings could not be changed then they wouldn't be there. By default avast does not detect PUPS. There is nothing wrong with turning everything up to run a full scan. Why not? Thats why we can tweak it to our liking. But when you turn heuristics to high thats a different story. You can increase false positives that way.

You happen to be dead wrong.
For the average user the default settings are designed to offer excellent and safe detections.
PUP detections aren't always actual detections since some programs can be used for both good and evil.

[SoccerFan707]

Lol...............Dead wrong? You will be dead long before me old man. Settings can be changed per user. Thats why they are there. If the dude wants to tweak his scanner settings then let him. We are talking about scan settings and not actual real time settings. Once again Bob showing his true colors and bashing peoples comments. Great job.

One of avast's best features is that it is full customizable per user. Heck Bitdefedner is not customizable at all. And that cost money. So kokolovich................tweak away all you want. You can always revert back to default anyways. Thats why avast gives you a default button.

[Pondus]

I'm concerned that I am not getting the maximum effort from the program due to settings that I don't understand.

if so, i suggest you stay with default settings

If the settings could not be changed then they wouldn't be there. By default avast does not detect PUPS. There is nothing wrong with turning everything up to run a full scan. Why not? Thats why we can tweak it to our liking. But when you turn heuristics to high thats a different story. You can increase false positives that way.

Yes the tweaks are there for those who understand how to use it.....  same with PUP scan
Just browse the virus and worms section and see all those that dont know what it is

[CraigB]

I think it's about time you change your attitude SoccerFan, that last post of yours was quite offensive and will not be tolerated.

[SoccerFan707]

I think it's about time you change your attitude SoccerFan, that last post of yours was quite offensive and will not be tolerated.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm. Bob started it so I highly suggest you get your facts straight. What is Bob God? He can d whatever he wants?

[CraigB]

I think it's about time you change your attitude SoccerFan, that last post of yours was quite offensive and will not be tolerated.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm. Bob started it so I highly suggest you get your facts straight. What is Bob God? He can d whatever he wants?

My facts are very straight and Bobs post was not offensive and was also suggesting common sense unlike many of your own posts which are becoming common in their abusive nature.

[Para-Noid]

• Check Scan all files in the scan tab
• Check Test whole files in the sensitivity tab
• Check Scan for potentially unwanted programs (PUP) in the sensitivity tab
• Check Follow links during scan in the sensitivity tab
• Check All packers in the packers tab

I wouldn't recommend doing any of these or you will end up getting "some files cannot be scanned" in the results.
Unless a user absolutely knows what they are doing the default settings are plenty good. After all avast has been
doing this for a long time. By now they should know what they are doing...protecting almost two hundred million computers.