Hi tyson2,
No, you are not missing anything. All versions of avast 7.0.1426 have multiple scanners built-in, pertinent ones for here would be:
- Network Shield
- Web Shield
- File Shield
- Script Shield
This is a layered approach to proactive protection; each will kick in as the parameters and actions of the downloaded file are read and ascertained.
Additonal information:
What DavidR is trying to tell you, I think, is that new, in the wild, malware files have characteristics not in the virus database; some of these will be caught through heuristic analysis, but not all. Like DavidR says, it also depends on what type of file it is.
If a brand-new new malware comes in, it most likely will not be seen. No antivirus program can give 100% protection.
Just so you know, all members here (except Tech, and a few others) are just avast! users like you. Some, like DavidR, do know what they are talking about, so it is just like having an avast engineer on the forum.