Does Norton scan ALL files?

[Abeltje]

I was wondering whether the real time scanner of NAV / NIS 2007 would scan ALL files or just certain extensions for example.

I noticed quite some performance differences with Kaspersky and F-Secure when changing from the default (just certain extensions) to scanning all files (which actually makes them having a noticeable impact on system).

If Norton does not scan all files, then it could explain some of its lightness.

I know that for NOD and AVIRA I cannot really tell the difference between scanning all files or not.

Thanks for your comments!

By the way, which settings do you use / would recommend for the real time scanner? Is it really necessary to scan all files? Any known exploits that make misuse of this?

[Blackcat]

{QUOTE-> I was wondering whether the real time scanner of NAV / NIS 2007 would scan ALL files or just certain extensions for example. If Norton does not scan all files, then it could explain some of its lightness. <-QUOTE}
NAV's AutoProtect Guard can be set to scan either in SmartScan Mode or with Comprehensive File Scanning. The engine of NAV/NIS 2007 has been completely rewritten to be lighter on system resources, so even the default Comprehensive setting is very light in real-time.

So SmartScan is an alternative to the "scan all files" option and it scans a specific group of file extensions as well as .exe and doc.files.

{QUOTE-> By the way, which settings would you recommend for the real time scanner? <-QUOTE}
The ALL files setting is better for protection and is the recommended one if there is no slow down in performance. However, if you run any AV which causes a slowdown then you adjust the scan setting of the RTM accordingly, or change AV.

[flyrfan111]

Alternatively, you could use one of the scanners that use a caching system, so that each file is only scanned once with every set of definitions. AVs using a cache system include, NOD, F-Prot, Panda, Trend Micro and Kaspersky. This gives you the best of both worlds, you can scan every file and yet not create undue system slowdowns.

I am not sure if Norton uses a cache system to reduce drag as I have not used it awhile, I do not believe so though. Perhaps Blackcat could comment on that issue.

Regarding your question of scanning all files, I do not scan all files as there are some file types that can not contain executable code and in my opinion are not worth scanning. This is a matter of personal preference though and is up to each user to determine what their needs are.

[eBBox]

{QUOTE-> I am not sure if Norton uses a cache system to reduce drag as I have not used it awhile, I do not believe so though. Perhaps Blackcat could comment on that issue. <-QUOTE}

Nav/Nis 08 includes cache feature :thumb:

[Abeltje]

{QUOTE-> NAV's AutoProtect Guard can be set to scan either in SmartScan Mode or with Comprehensive File Scanning. The engine of NAV/NIS 2007 has been completely rewritten to be lighter on system resources, so even the default Comprehensive setting is very light in real-time.

So SmartScan is an alternative to the "scan all files" option and it scans a specific group of file extensions as well as .exe and doc.files.
<-QUOTE}

What version are you talking about? I cannot find such option in NIS 2007. Maybe it has been removed? Since there is no option I was wondering what is the setting now?