This tab contains many options for configuring or setting the properties of the scan. These options are displayed in several groups to make them easier to manage.
The tab corresponding to the scan configuration in the case of on-demand and scheduled scans
Scan section
This section includes all of the options that allow you to specify the file types to scan and specify whether reports should be generated.
· Compressed files: If this option is selected, all compressed files (ZIP, RAR, ARJ, LZH, LZA, etc.) will be scanned. These files will only be scanned if this option is checked; they will not be scanned if only the option corresponding to all extensions is selected.
· Mail files (PST): If this option is selected, Platinum Internet Security will scan all e-mail files (messages and attached files), regardless of the options selected in the Extensions section. The program can scan e-mail files corresponding to several e-mail clients including Microsoft Outlook -PST files- and Microsoft Outlook Express, etc. These files will only be scanned if this option is selected; they will not be scanned if only the option that corresponds to all extensions is selected. This option is NOT available in the automatic protection of mail and files.
· All the extensions : Selecting this option scans all files, regardless of their extension –except compressed files, system files and e-mail files, which must be selected separately in order to be scanned.
· Files with the following extensions: This option allows you to specify that only the files whose extension is included in the list of extensions should be scanned. In order to access this list, click on Extensions, which will be activated when the checkbox Files with the following extensions is enabled.
In the Find section you can indicate the types of malicious software that Platinum Internet Security will detect and remove: virus, spyware (spy programs that compromise your data privacy), Hacking tools (programs used by hackers to access other computers remotely), Dialers (dial-up software), Jokes (practical jokes that may create confusion) and Hoaxes (misleading e-mail messages). In order to establish a proper level of security it is important to keep all of these protections enabled at all times.
If you click on the Additional Options button a window will appear with the following options:
· Enable sounds: If this option is selected, sounds are enabled during the scans that are carried out depending on the configuration established in the section General settings.
· Generate report: this option is ONLY available for the file automatic protection. If this option is selected, data on the scan will be logged in a report.
· Minimize while scanning: If this option is selected, the program window is automatically minimized when the scan begins (it will be displayed as a button on the Windows taskbar), monitoring the progress of the scan until it is complete.
Heuristic section
This section is NOT available for the automatic protection of files or mail, but it is available for on-demand and scheduled scans. Scans that use heuristic techniques allow potential new viruses to be discovered and located. These viruses are unknown and cannot be identified by the current version of the antivirus signature file.
· Enable: If this option is selected, an additional scan will be carried out on each file, which searches for potential new viruses and threats. This scan is based on techniques designed to detect unknown viruses.
· Configure button: This button allows you to configure the heuristic scan, provided that the Enable checkbox is selected. You can choose from three different levels of sensitivity: Maximum sensitivity, Medium sensitivity (recommended), or Minimum sensitivity.
The tab corresponding to the scan configuration in the case of automatic protection scans
Antivirus Scan section
This section includes all of the options that allow you to specify the file types to scan and specify whether reports should be generated.
· Compressed files: If this option is selected, all compressed files (ZIP, RAR, ARJ, LZH, LZA, etc.) will be scanned. These files will only be scanned if this option is checked; they will not be scanned if only the option corresponding to all extensions is selected.
· Generate report: If this option is selected, data on the automatic file protection will be logged in a report.
· All the extensions: Selecting this option scans all files, regardless of their extension –except compressed files and system files, which must be selected separately in order to be scanned.
· Files with the following extensions: This option allows you to specify that only the files whose extension is included in the list of extensions should be scanned. In order to access this list, click on Extensions, which will be activated when the checkbox Only my extensions is enabled.
Jokes Detection section
It allows you to enable or disable inoffensive programs that simulate the damaging effects of viruses.
If you wish to enable the detection of these types of programs, select the option Warn before running Jokes.
Advanced options
If you click on this button you will be able to configure the automatic file protection in Network drives, enable the Heuristic scan, the Script blocking, and the detection of Hacking tools.
When you click on this button a window will appear, containing the following sections:
Network drives section:
· Microsoft network: If this checkbox is enabled, the network drives will be scanned, provided that the network is a Microsoft network.
· Novell network: If this checkbox is enabled, the network drives will be scanned, provided that the network is a Novell network.
Script blocking section
Through this section, which only appears in the automatic file protection configuration tab, you can prevent files written in the Script language (VBSsript or JScript) from being run.
· Block the execution of script files: If this option is checked, Platinum Internet Security will prevent files written in a script type programming language (Visual Basic Script or Java Script) from being run.
This section allows you to enable or disable tools used by hackers to access other computers remotely. To enable this option click on Detect Hacking tools option.
Heuristic section:
· Enable: if this option is selected, each file will be scanned once again for viruses and threats. This second scan is based on techniques designed to detect unknown viruses.
Several useful buttons appear at the bottom of the configuration screens:
OK: The changes to the configuration will be saved and applied.
Cancel: The changes to the configuration will be neither saved nor applied.