Avast Smart Scan

[Wittmann]

I am delighted with the Smart Scan, for two  reasons, I have confidence it is efficient and it only takes a short time to complete, a massive amount of time less than other AV scans.

May I askwhy Avast is so quick, yet is considered thorough enough to confidently cleanse the PC of virus's and malware ?

[RejZoR]

Smart Scan is so fast because it doesn't scan full system drive. If you look into its settings you'll notice it only scans system memory and programs located in startup sections of the operating system. It makes the most sense to scan these locations on regular basis, but it's not the most thorough method...

[Wittmann]

Smart Scan is so fast because it doesn't scan full system drive. If you look into its settings you'll notice it only scans system memory and programs located in startup sections of the operating system. It makes the most sense to scan these locations on regular basis, but it's not the most thorough method...

Thank you

[Wittmann]

Before I go - I realise that the Smart Scan selects only the files which are considered high risk, but what purpose is there in  using it when the infection may  rest outside that package ?

[DavidR]

Before I go - I realise that the Smart Scan selects only the files which are considered high risk, but what purpose is there in  using it when the infection may  rest outside that package ?

Because the file system shield is an on-access scanner and scans all files that are going to be run/active.

Whilst the Smart Scan is a little different, since there are options not covered, such as your network scan or browser scan (if you have these functions installed).

- But with a resident (on-access) scanner, like avast the need for on-demand scans is much depreciated. For the most part dormant/inert files are being scanned, the other active files are going to be scanned by the resident shields when they are activated.

[Wittmann]

@ DavidR

Thank you very much. The more I learn about Avast, the more I like it.

[DavidR]

You're welcome.