Task "Scan: all local disks"
The task will scan all the executable files and the OLE documents on all of the local hard disks of the computer in question. In the case that the AVAST32 finds a virus, it will announce this through a warning message and an audible alarm (if the sound card is installed in the computer). The task will announce every virus found. Also the compressed files and operating memory of the computer are to be tested. The system area of each of the disks will be checked as well.
Task "Scan: interactive selection"
The task will completely run the same tests for the presence of viruses as the previous task, but before the test itself the user will have the possibility to select which areas are to be tested. It is of course possible to select several areas at the same time. At the selected folders it is possible to determine whether you also wish to scan the subfolders.
Task "Scan: diskette A:"
This task performs the same test as the two previous tasks, but they are done on the diskette in the drive A:. We recommend running this task for all potentially infected diskettes. In particular it concerns the diskettes, which were used in other computers or by other users. Also the system area, i.e. the boot sector, will be scanned on a diskette.
Task "Check: all local disks"
The task will check whether some executable files situated on all local hard disks have been changed since the time of the last check. The contents of the files will only be checked if a parameter has been changed since the last check, e.g. such as attributes, size of the file, etc. The results will be recorded in a well-arranged tree control. The task will also check whether a change in the system areas of the disks checked appeared since the last check.
According to text above, the changes in the files can only be checked between two integrity checking. The result of the first run of the task will be the message that all the files on the disk check "have been added". Therefore it is necessary to record the status of the files onto an internal database, so that in the case of the next integrity check it will be possible to compare the current status of the files with the previous ones.
Task "Check: interactive selection"
The task will perform the same test as the previous one, but it will ask the user for the areas to be checked. Also in the case of this test it applies that if the results are to be usable, it is necessary to fill the database of the files first.
Task "Resident: full protection"
The protection performed by this task is based on two facts. If a virus is about to infect the computer, it must be run first (i.e. the control must be passed to it), and therefore it is advantageous to scan all the executable files and all the boot sectors of the diskettes inserted. The other presumption is that the virus is performing an activity in the computer: it writes into a file to be run, into the boot sector of diskettes or it even tries to re-format a certain part of the disk.
All of the above described activities are checked by this task, and in the case of an attempt to perform a potentially dangerous operation it first inquires of the user, whether such an operation can be performed. Without his authorization it will not be possible to perform that operation. If this task and its protections are to be effective, you must let it run!
Task "Complete test of executables"
At first the task will check whether some executable files on all local hard disks have been changed since the time of the last check. The task will also check whether a change in the system areas of the disks checked appeared since the last check. If the task will find any change, it will scan the file or system area for the presence of known virus.
Special tasks
They are tasks of special meaning in AVAST32 program. There are tasks: "Explorer extension " and "Explorer extension".