.OST files and how avast scans them

[shin234]

Hi i have a question involving avast. in the pro version of avast does it scan the .ost file for outlook as an archive or a file

[DavidR]

It will scan the 'pst' file on on-demand scans so care should be taken if a virus is ever found in the archive as it is possible to lose the complete file.

If you don'y want to lose it back it up is a strategy that we should all practice.

[shin234]

sorry but the reason i am asking is i am a tech for a managed services business and i have found a symantec product that is reporting infections and not removing them then i go and scan with avast and find nothing both bart and avast pro (symantec is removed when scanned) what i guess i want to know is if i scan archives will it scan the .ost files as an archive i.e. all the contained files in the ost file or just the file it's self

[DavidR]

Sorry I didn't realise there was a difference .pst and .ost (Offline Folder file .ost) showing my lack of Outlook experience.

avast should be able scan these .pst or .ost files, it treats them no differently to others I believe and that is where there can be problems because extracting an infected email in what is effectively a database file, could corrupt the database file with the potential loss of all emails in that .ost file.

That may be why symantec isn't removing them.

I'm just an avast user (and one who doesn't use Outlook) so my depth of knowledge of how avast deals with infected files within an Outlook ost/pst file is extremely limited. I do however know avast can extract an infected email from within an Outlook Express .dbx file without corrupting it. I can't say the same for Outlook even if it similar to an outlook ost/pst file.

I would suggest direct contact with support or sales @avast.com or hopefully one of the Alwil team will pick up on this topic.

[shin234]

ok thanks alot

[DavidR]

Your welcome.

[Vlk]

Hi shin234,

and sorry for the late reply.

Avast is able to "unpack" pst/ost files (i.e. scan individual messages stored in these files). However, it can't really REMOVE the viruses from these files (if any). So: scanning - yes, removal - no.

I hope this helps,
Vlk