Scanning your computer for viruses with Symantec Endpoint Protection (Windows XP/Vista)

Note: If you've installed Symantec Endpoint Protection from the PennConnect 2009-2010 DVD or the Supported Products web site, the software has already been configured to scan your computer on a daily basis.

You should scan your computer at regular intervals to detect viruses. At minimum, ISC recommends that you scan your entire computer daily. Symantec Endpoint Protection offers several methods to scan for viruses: on-demand scans, scheduled scans, startup scans, and custom Scan. No matter which method you choose, your computer must be turned on for the scan to take place. You can also edit or delete any scan you've created.

How to scan your computer on demand from Windows or Symantec Endpoint

You can scan your computer at any time and perform the scan yourself. You can choose to scan your entire computer or selected files, folders, and drives on your computer. You can also initiate a scan from Windows or from Symantec Endpoint.

Note: Icons located at the top of the Scan window allow you to Start, Pause (||) or Stop (green) the scan.

To initiate a scan from Windows. (This feature is not supported on 64-bit operating systems.)

1. Locate, and then right-click a file, folder, or drive that you want to scan.
2. From the dropdown menu, click Scan For Viruses... .
3. When the message "Completed" displays, the scan is done. If no virus-infected files were found, the Scan Computer window is blank. If a virus is detected, details of the infected files are displayed in the window.
4. Click the Close button to close the window and quit Symantec Endpoint.
   

To initiate a scan from Symantec Endpoint:

1. Open Symantec Endpoint by right-clicking the yellow Shield icon that's located in the Windows' system tray which is on the far right end of your task bar. Then, click Open Symantec Endpoint Protection
2. In the left sidebar, click Scan for Threats. At the Scan for Threats dialog box, select type of scan you want to perform:

• Run Active Scan - To scan known locations on your computer that are commonly infected by viruses.
• Run Full Scan - To scan your entire computer.

3. When the message "Completed" displays, the scan is done. If no virus-infected files were found, the Scan Computer window is blank. If a virus is detected, details of the infected files are displayed in the window.
4. Click the Close button to close the window and quit Symantec Endpoint.

How to create a custom scan or a scan to run automatically or at startup

You can scan your computer on a regular basis but do not want to manually perform the scan yourself. ISC recommends that you scan your computer for viruses daily.

To schedule a scan to automatically run on a regular basis:

1. Open Symantec Endpoint Protection by right-clicking the yellow Shield icon that's located in the Windows' system tray which is on the far right end of your task bar. Then, click Open Symantec Endpoint Protection .
2. In the left sidebar, click Scan for threats.
3. In the Scan for threats dialog box, click Create a New Scan.
4. Select the type of scan to schedule (Active, Full, or Custom), then click Next.
5. Complete the options for the specific scan:

• If you have selected a Custom Scan, then select the areas on your computer that you want scanned. For example, you could scan all files within a specific folder. In this case, click the plus sign (+) to expand each menu until you locate the folder that you want to scan, then select the folder by clicking the blank box next to it. A plus sign (+) and check mark will appear in the box.
• If you have selected an Active or Full Scan, you can also specify a specific file type or extension to scan. Ensure the Selected Extension, then click the Extension button. Scroll down the window and select the desired extension. For example, you could scan all files ending in a .doc extension.

6. When prompted, identify when you want the scan to be performed (At Specific Times, At Startup, or On Demand).

• If you have selected At Specific Times or On Demand, complete the days and times you want the scan to occur. Remember, your computer must be turned on for the scheduled scan to take place.

7. When prompted, type a name for the scan in the Name: field and a description of the scan in the Description: field; click Finish to save your settings and return to the Scan for threats window. The name of the scheduled scan you created appears in the Scan for threats window.
8. Click the close box in the upper-right window to quit Symantec Endpoint.
   

How to edit a scan

To edit any existing scan you have created:

1. Open Symantec Endpoint Protection by right-clicking the yellow Shield icon that's located in the Windows' system tray which is on the far right end of your task bar. Then, click Open Symantec Endpoint Protection.
2. In the left sidebar, click Scan for threats.
3. From the list of scans that displays, right-click the specific scan you will modify, and then click Edit... from the dropdown list.
4. Make any changes on the Scan Name, What to Scan, and Scan Options tabs.
5. Click OK to save the changes and return to the Scan window.
6. Click the close box in the upper-right window to quit the program.

How to delete a scan

To delete any existing scan you have created:

1. Open Symantec Endpoint Protection by right-clicking the yellow Shield icon that's located in the Windows' system tray which is on the far right end of your task bar. Then, click on Open Symantec Endpoint Protection.
2. In the left sidebar, click Scan for threats.
3. Right-click the scan you want to delete, and then select Delete from the dropdown list.
4. At the prompt, click Yes to confirm the deletion.
5. Click the close box in the upper-right window to quit the program.