Scan results say "Unable to Scan" for some areas

[Daboa]

Is this bad?  Here's a snapshot of my results screen:

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6024/scanresults.jpg

I've noticed that all the files have directories belonging either to Spybot or SUPERAntiSpyware.  I'm guessing the latter is a spyware program I tried once, but I don't really remember.  Anyway, is this an issue or just something that's a natural result of my spyware programs doing their job?

[YoKenny]

Welcome Daboa

I gave up on Spybot S&D ages ago as it has not kept up with the times and if you look through past topics about it you will find that others have also un-installed it.

SUPERAntiSpyware is good so let it remove what it finds.

I recommend Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) as it is a good tool to detect the latest and remove the latest malware:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Download then install it then update its definitions then run a Quick scan and if it finds any items then let it remove whatever it finds.

[Daboa]

That still doesn't answer my question about whether or not this is a problem or what is supposed to happen.

Still, you've piqued my curiosity about Spybot.  I've never had a problem with it.  I've never had spyware and I like how it alerts me when things try to schedule themselves to run at startup.  Of course, Spybot hasn't found any problems on my machine for over a year, but I assumed that was because I just haven't had problems.  Are you saying that another program would find and fix things that Spybot doesn't detect?  If so, would another program conflict with Spybot? (I've heard of that happening with antivirus programs.)  You recommend MBAM, but does that remove spyware and adware too or just malware?  I don't even know the difference lol.

[Yachiru]

Yeah, I am also experiencing that problem everytime I scan... but mine is mostly .rar, .iso, and .zip, while some are files from the program called "Garena". I have 7-zip installed on my laptop but it still not fixed. I am running a Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit.

[YoKenny]

Are you saying that another program would find and fix things that Spybot doesn't detect?

I'm saying MBAM is more effective.

Removing adware is trivial nowadays however the latest malware is becoming more virulent and that's why MBAM has taken on the chalenge.

Stopping adware:
Install a HOSTS file

You can use a HOSTS file to block ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers. This is accomplished by blocking the connection(s) that supplies these little gems.

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Manage the HOSTS file:
http://forum.abelhadigital.com/index.php?showtopic=553 <== I use 3.2.71 Beta7

hpHost HOST file adds additional adware and malware site entries.

[Flyrfan111]

Yes, those files are the quarantine folders for Spybot and Superantispyware. there is no cause for concern.

[spg SCOTT]

Hi,

That still doesn't answer my question about whether or not this is a problem or what is supposed to happen.
...

The error in the message you are talking about is the start of:

'Archive is password protected'

Now, since avast does not have the password, it is anable to scan.

Files that cannot be scanned, are simply that, not an indication of somthing suspicious/infected.

This is not a problem, especially given the location of the files

-Scott-

[DavidR]

Files that can't be scanned are just that, not an indication they are suspicious/infected, just unable to be scanned.

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.

If you can give some examples of those file names, the locations and reason given why it can't be scanned might help us further ?