Why Can't Avast For Mac Scan Every File

Aug 01, 2018  I don't understand why avast for Mac is unable to scan some files. What if those files unable to scan for avast contains malware or something? Many times these are files you do not have permission to access, or are corrupted in some way. If you have an antique Mac that for some reason can't even run Mavericks, consider ESET Cyber Security (for Mac), ProtectWorks, or ClamXAV (for Mac) all of which support versions from 10.6 (Snow. Mail Server: Compress the EICAR file with and old file compression tool such as DIET and send the message through an email server with antivirus installed. Avast detects the file as a threat, but most mail servers do not. Learn about how Avast Scans and reports Scan Results for more help. Click the link below to download the Avast Security setup file: Avast Security for Mac; Double-click the downloaded file avast.setup.dmg. In the dialog that appears, double-click the Avast setup option and follow the on-screen instructions, then click Install to complete the installation.

Download and installation

  • Avast offers several scans to improve your Mac's security. A full scan on the Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch that I use for testing took 14.5 minutes, just a hair over Intego's 14 minutes, and quicker.
  • Duplicates creep onto your Mac every day and before you know it, you’re wasting gigabytes of disk space on clones you no longer need. Our Duplicate Finder deep-scans your disk to find duplicate documents, pictures, songs, videos, folders, and other files.
  • My Mac after Malware, Avast can't scan files, etc. Submitted 3 years ago by LosFeliz1111990 A little while ago I noticed my 5 month old MBP wasn't running properly.

What are the system requirements for Avast Security?

The system requirements for Avast Security and Avast Premium Security are:

  • Apple macOS 10.14.x (Mojave), Apple macOS 10.13.x (High Sierra), Apple macOS 10.12.x (Sierra), Apple Mac OS X 10.11.x (El Capitan), Apple Mac OS X 10.10.x (Yosemite).
  • Intel based Mac computer with 64-bit processor.
  • 512 MB RAM or above (1 GB RAM or higher preferred).
  • 256 MB minimum hard disk free space.
  • Internet connection (to download and register the product, for automatic updates of the program and virus database).
  • Optimally standard screen resolution not less than 1024 x 768 pixels.
Avast Security does not run properly if you have any other antivirus software installed.

How do I download and install Avast Security?

To download and install Avast Security or Avast Premium Security:

  1. Click the link below to download the Avast Security setup file:
  2. Double-click the downloaded file avast_security_online.dmg.
  3. In the dialog that appears, double-click the Avast Security icon and follow the on-screen instructions.
  4. When installation is complete, click Close.

For detailed installation instructions, refer to the following article:

If you have purchased Avast Premium Security, activate your subscription by going to ☰ MenuActivate paid features and entering your activation code.

Do I need a subscription to use Avast Security?

No, a subscription is not necessary for the free version of Avast Security. After installation, Avast Security is ready to use. You can connect Avast Security to your Avast Account to benefit from the device management feature.

For additional features, upgrade to a paid subscription of Avast Premium Security. You must activate this product with a valid activation code.

How do I upgrade from Avast Security to Avast Premium Security?

To upgrade to Avast Premium Security:

  1. In your Applications folder, double-click the Avast icon to open the application.
  2. Click Upgrade on the main Avast Security screen.
  3. Follow the on-screen purchase instructions.

After purchase, Avast Premium Security automatically activates. If necessary, you can manually activate the product by going to ☰ MenuActivate paid features and entering your activation code.

How do I activate Avast Premium Security?

To manually activate Avast Premium Security:

  1. Open the order confirmation email you received after purchasing Avast Premium Security.
  2. Locate and copy the activation code from the confirmation email.
  3. In your Applications folder, double-click the Avast icon to open the application.
  4. Go to ☰ MenuActivate paid features.
  5. Type or paste your activation code into the text box, then click Activate.

To view the duration of your subscription, go to ☰ MenuMy subscriptions. For detailed activation instructions, refer to the following article:

How do I connect Avast Security to my Avast Account?

After you download and install Avast Security, you can connect the product to your Avast Account to benefit from the device management feature.

To connect Avast Security to your Avast Account:

  1. In your Applications folder, double-click the Avast icon to open the application.
  2. Go to ☰ MenuLog in to Avast account.
  3. Enter your Avast Account credentials, then click Log In.

For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:

What is the difference between Avast Security and Avast Premium Security?

Avast Security is a free product that does not require a paid subscription to use.

Avast Premium Security includes additional features and requires a paid subscription. The additional features include Ransomware Shield and Wi-Fi Inspector.

Features

What is File Shield?

File Shield is the main layer of active protection in Avast Security. It scans programs and files saved on your Mac for malicious threats in real-time before allowing them to be opened, run, modified, or saved. If malware is detected, File Shield prevents the program or file from infecting your Mac.

What is Web Shield?

Web Shield is an additional layer of active protection in Avast Security. It scans data that is transferred when you browse the internet in real-time to prevent malware, such as malicious scripts, from being downloaded and run on your Mac.

What is Email Shield?

Why

Email Shield is an additional layer of active protection in Avast Security. It scans your incoming and outgoing email messages in real-time for malicious content such as viruses. Scanning applies only to messages sent or received using a mail management software (email clients, such as Mail, Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird). If you access your web based email account via an internet browser, your Mac is protected by other Avast Security shields.

What is Ransomware Shield?

Ransomware Shield, available in Avast Premium Security, secures your personal photos, documents, and files from being modified, deleted, or encrypted by ransomware attacks. This feature automatically secures your Pictures and Documents folders and allows you to specify which other folders you want to protect from untrusted applications. Additionally, you can specify which applications are allowed to modify the files in your protected folders.

What is Wi-Fi Inspector?

Wi-Fi Inspector, available in Avast Premium Security, is an active protection component which continuously monitors your network and connected devices for threats.

What is the Virus Chest?

The Virus Chest is a safe place for storing potentially harmful files, completely isolated from the rest of the operating system. Files inside the Virus Chest are not accessible to any outside process, software application, or virus.

For more information about the Virus Chest including how to send files to the Avast Threat Labs, refer to the following article:

How do I run a scan?

To run an Avast Security scan:

  1. In your Applications folder, double-click the Avast icon to open the application.
  2. Click (three dots) next to Run Mac Scan.
  3. Click Run Mac Scan or Scan Now on the tile of the scan you want to run.

You can run a quick scan of the most vulnerable areas of your Mac, or a thorough scan of the whole system, or quickly scan a particular folder or removable drive, or create and schedule your own scans.

For more information about each type of scan as well as scan settings, refer to the following article:

General settings

How do I check which version of Avast Security is installed?

To check which version of Avast Security is installed on your Mac, go to ☰ MenuSettings and select the General tab. The version number is displayed at the top of the screen.

How do I exclude files or websites from scanning by the Core Shields?

To set an exclusion for a Core Shield:

  1. In your Applications folder, double-click the Avast icon to open the application.
  2. Go to ☰ MenuSettings and select the Core Shields tab.
  3. Click Add Exceptions under the shield you want to set an exclusion for.
  4. If you are adding an exclusion for File Shield, select the file and click Open. For Web Shield and Email Shield, specify the server and service, then click Add.

For detailed instructions on how to set exclusions for Core Shields, refer to the following article:

How do I exclude files or folders from the pre-defined scans?

To set an exclusion for one of the pre-defined scans:

  1. In your Applications folder, double-click the Avast icon to open the application.
  2. Go to ☰ MenuSettings and select the Scans tab.
  3. Click Add Exceptions under the scan you want to set an exclusion for.
  4. Select a file or folder, then click Open.

For detailed instructions on how to set exclusions for the pre-defined scans, refer to the following article:

Troubleshooting

What does the status message 'Unable to scan' mean in scan results?

The status message 'Unable to scan' means that the file could not be scanned, possibly due to an encrypted ZIP archive or because the files are currently in use. The status does not mean that there is anything wrong with the file, only that it is not available for scanning.

What does the status message 'You are in passive mode' mean?

If you see the status You are in passive mode, you need to manually allow Avast Software extensions on your Mac. For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:

What should I do if I'm unable to browse the web or use other software on my Mac?

Avast Security shields detect and block suspicious files, dangerous websites, and unauthorized connections. In some cases, a Core Shield may cause connectivity issues. If you are unable to use online software or browse certain sites, use the troubleshooting steps below to determine if a shield is causing the issue:

  1. In your Applications folder, double-click the Avast icon to open the application.
  2. Click Core Shields.
  3. Click the ON (green) slider above File Shield and perform your original action (for example, if you were unable to access a certain site, try to access the site again).
  4. If the connectivity issue persists, click the OFF (red) slider to turn the shield on again, then repeat the above steps for each shield.

When you determine which shield is causing the connectivity issue, you can set an exclusion for a certain file, site, or mail server by using the steps in the following article:

How do I uninstall Avast Security?

Avast Security cannot be fully uninstalled by dragging the application to the Trash. To uninstall Avast Security:

  1. In your Applications folder, double-click the Avast icon to open the application.
  2. Click Avast in the menu bar, then select Uninstall Avast Security from the context menu.
  3. Click Uninstall.

For detailed uninstallation instructions, refer to the following article:

  • Avast Security 14.x for Mac
  • Avast Premium Security 14.x for Mac
  • Apple macOS 10.14.x (Mojave)
  • Apple macOS 10.13.x (High Sierra)
  • Apple macOS 10.12.x (Sierra)
  • Apple Mac OS X 10.11.x (El Capitan)
  • Apple Mac OS X 10.10.x (Yosemite)
Active3 months ago

I've been practicing my C# lately on a new system. Compiling is fine, however when I try to run the generated .exe file, avast! thinks it is malware and runs it in the sandbox for a while (and it doesn't work in the sandbox as it should work normally), and only when it has finished scanning it will it let me run it normally.

When I try to run it again, most of the time the same process happens, whether I make changes to the code or not.

Is there any way I could play around with Avast's settings to stop it attacking my programs?

Note: I'm dealing with very simple, command prompt programs here.

slhck
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BluefireBluefire
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migrated from stackoverflow.comFeb 22 '13 at 18:11

This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.

10 Answers

According to a user manual that I was able to find for version 4.8(see page 40), You need to do as the comments suggest and add your obj directory or bin directory to the exclusions list.

According to a post I found in the Avast forums from 2011 you can also add exclusions for single files by:

...manually edit[ing] the line where the path for the exception is. So, using the 'browse' button, select first the folder, and then edit the resulting path and 'add' to exclusions. You can also use '*' and '?'.

Pow-IanPow-Ian

You have to disable Avast DeepScreen:

Open Avast user interface>Settings>Antivirus uncheck, Enable DeepScreen.

It is now a much smaller option on the same page, (6th one down)

The option is harder to find (in my opinion) for the different version I have (version in the image).

In Avast Premier 2017, disabling Hardened Mode does nothing! Instead you have to disable CyberCapture as shown below:

user477799
XonatronXonatron
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As others have mentioned, the culprit is DeepScreen. It's especially bad if you have Avast set to Silent/gaming mode because then you can get unexpected/bizarre behavior and have no idea why. (I spent an entire day debugging the installer for a program I'm developing because it suddenly started running twice every single time I launched it--DeepScreen is very forgetful--and only succeeding on the the second run.)

Going under Settings, Update, Details, you can turn off popups for the majority of them--the annoying update-related popups, which should make it easier to work undisturbed, play video games, etc. But DeepScreen popups still pop up!

CANNOT DISABLE DEEPSCREEN: I've tried disabling DeepScreen entirely (under Settings, Antivirus), since it's so disruptive, but this checkbox appears to have no effect.

Unfortunately, the only way I currently have of disabling DeepScreen (in Avast 2014.9.0.2021) is to disable all shields! And I'm not even sure that this is working, since I sometimes get DeepScreen popups even with all shields disabled. Avast can't be prevented from starting with Windows during boot, so maybe uninstalling Avast is the only solution.

Community
Jon CoombsJon Coombs

As you are using Avast double click on the Orange Avast Orb.Select Settings, and then select Antivirus.Scrolling down the Screen you will see Exclusions.

If you select Exclusions and the directory you are compiling to.you will be able to compile from any directory you exclude.Without any troubles.

Roberts_ClifRoberts_Clif

If none of these worked as they didn't for me try this.

Open Avast > Settings > Components > Files System Shield > Customize > Exclusions > Add the path > OK > OK and you're done.

M SeckM Seck

I Added a file path exclusion for my entire dev folder d:dev* and this worked using Avast Professional 2017:

  1. Right-click Avast icon in the system tray
  2. Select Open Avast user Interface
  3. Click Settings at the bottom left of the window
  4. In the General tab scroll down to the Exclusions entry
  5. Enter a folder name in the File paths tab e.g. d:dev* (Every file and sub folder of the dev folder will be ignored)
  6. Click ok, bottom right and the changes will be applied immediately

I didn't change Enable Cyber Capture or any other setting

PhilGPhilG

Avast For Mac Free Download

I have tried all of the other solutions, like adding an exclusion or deep screen exclusion or exclusion to File System Component shield or disabling deepscreen, etc. The only solution that works for me is to stop the Avast service in services.msc or Computer Management/Services.

user55570user55570
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I create D:ProjectDir then put source code or solution under this directory.

Malwarebytes For Mac

Open Avast > Settings > Exclusions > File paths and add D:ProjectDir*bin**

this is safer than adding rule D:ProjectDir* because avast will scan source code for example in D:ProjectDirmyapp but not compiled app located at

With new avast (2018) Exclusions is enough you don't need to disable DeepScreen

if still not work your app is truly Virus you need to disable or uninstall Avast :lol:

Avast For Mac

ewwinkewwink

Here is an addition to @PhilG 's answer:

Go into (example of a working avast settings).

In the picture above you can see Exclusions. Add a new file path under File paths tab.

If you want to only exclude an .exe file, add its path under CyberCapture tab.

Toto
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PatronautPatronaut

Done all the things above (including scanning/excluding the directory/exec where the exec is located) but 20 second after starting, avast kill it. No message, no quarantine, but i have found a way to circumvent the problem:

  1. stop all avast agents
  2. start the exec.
  3. reactivate all agents.

everything is ok until next boot.

But if i can't find any valuable solution, i'll kill avast definitly !

Avast For Mac Antivirus Free Download 2016

Toto
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Avast For Mac 10.7.5

Chris2mopChris2mop

Free Avast For Mac

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