How to Use Avast

To activate the main screen for Avast, right-click the icon and select Start avast! Antivirus or select Start > Programs > avast! anti-virus > avast! anti-virus



Figure 6: The Avast main interface

When you start Avast, the Help Guide to the user interface pops up. This is another way to learn about the software. To close it, click the box at the bottom that says "Don't show this window next time" and on the 'X' in the top right-hand corner to close the window. To open this help guide again, select Introductory Help from the Avast menu button.



Figure 7: The Avast simple user interface

Many program functions and settings are accessible from the Avast menu, which is activated by clicking: in upper left-hand corner of the program interface.

Note: After your system has initially rebooted itself, the Avast Virus Recovery Database (VRDB) icon appears in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. For more information about the Avast Virus Recovery Database (VRDB) please refer to section 4.4 About the Avast Virus Recovery Database(VRDB) . You can merge the two Avast icons into one, by right-clicking on and selecting merge with main avast! icon.

3.1 How to Update Avast

Avast will automatically look for updates when your computer is connected to the Internet. Updates include new virus definitions and program upgrades. When this happens, a message from Avast will pop up telling you that an update was completed.

You can also update Avast manually. This may be useful in situations where you have only temporary access to a reliable Internet connection, and you want to update your software while you can.

Step 1. Click: on the left-hand side of the main interface to begin updating the Avast anti-virus databases.

The download window appears while the current anti-virus databases are being downloaded from the main Avast server as follows:



Figure 8: The Avast Antivirus Setup - Downloading packages screen

Note: Updates will vary in size, from virus definition updates of about 500 kilobytes (approximately 5 minutes on a dial-up connection) to large program updates of around 10 megabytes (up to an hour on dial-up). A large program update of Avast may require you to reboot the computer for the settings to take effect.

It is also possible to download program updates from the Avast website

Step 2. To do so, Select Download > Updates > Update avast! 4 VPS, and store them on removable media and apply them when you return to your computer.

3.2 How to Configure Avast

There are some program settings in Avast that you should configure before you begin scanning for viruses.

3.2.1. The Resident Scanner

The Resident Scanner is how Avast protects your computer from new infections. The more sensitive the scan, the more thoroughly Avast will look for viruses.

Step 1. Click: in the main Avast interface, to open the Resident Scanner sensitivity bar

This will present you with a pop-up sliding scale



Figure 9: The Avast Resident Scanner in High Mode

Use your mouse to click and drag the bar at the bottom of this window to the right. Choose the Standard or High (recommended) setting.

 

• Standard setting: The default setting. All programs and scripts are scanned when you run them and all documents are scanned when you open them.
• High setting: Works like the Standard mode, but files are also scanned when you copy them.

 

3.2.2 The On-Access Protection Control

The Avast On-Access Scanner is responsible for protecting your computer from any new infections. It runs constantly in the background, forming a protective shield around the computer. It will scan incoming email, Internet downloads, Instant Messaging file transfers and more.

Step 1. Double-click the icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.



Figure 10: The Avast On-Access Scanner screen

Important: The On-Access Scanner must be left on and functioning at all times.

3.2.3 The File Scanner

This refers to two features, whose scan sensitivity also needs to be set. One is for scanning the local hard disks (that is, your computer) and the other for removable devices (that is, CDs, DVDs and USB memory sticks).

Step 1. Click: in the main Avast interface, to open the Local disks sensitivity scanning option.

This will activate a pop up sensitivity scale (on top)



Figure 11: The Avast sensitivity scale in Thorough Scan mode

Step 2. Click-and-drag the bar at the bottom of this window, to the right.

Step 3. Select the Quick Scan, Standard Scan or Thorough Scan (recommended) setting.

• Quick Scan: Only the most potentially dangerous files are scanned, according to their extensions. This means that Avast will scan files with extensions like .com, .doc, .exe and .scr.
• Standard Scan: As with a Quick Scan, only the most potentially dangerous files are scanned, but this time the actual content of the file (rather than its three letter file extension) is used to determine whether or not a scan should be performed.
• Thorough Scan: All files are tested for all viruses.

Note: The more intensive the scan option, the longer the scanning process will take. You can also check the box titled Scan archive files to scan compressed archives such as .rar files and .zip files. Choose this option if you have compressed documents (for example, if you have specified that Windows archive your old files) and want them included in the scan. Additionally you can tell Avast to include removable media when it performs a scan.

Step 4. Click: to open the Removable Media window and check the required boxes as follows:



Figure 12: The Avast Removable Media option

If you want scan certain folders and not the entire disk, follow these steps:

Step 1. Click: to open the Folder Selection window.



Figure 13: The Avast Select the areas pane

Step 2. Check the boxes corresponding to the folders that you want to include in this scan.