topic Re: NIS 2010 scans DVD drives when idle in Norton Internet Security / Norton AntiVirus

NIS 2010 scans DVD drives when idle

MikeMcr — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:51:54 GMT

I noticed my computer was making lots of loud noises and when I checked, the DVD drive was busy with random access.

The "Norton is performing background tasks" banner was displayed and refused to go away and the only way I could stop it was by ejecting the DVD.

I checked the history and it seems an idle time full system scan was being run. Is it supposed to include DVD/CD drives in this scan? If so, can I stop it from including non-fixed disks? It was really annoying!

Running NIS 2010, Windows 7 x64 RTM.

Re: NIS 2010 scans DVD drives when idle

Phil_D — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:46:46 GMT

Hello MikeMcr,

You can add the drive to Scan Exclusions. First, be sure a CD or DVD is in the drive.

From the main Norton Interface: Computer Settings > Exclusions > Scan Exclusions > Configure.

In the upper portion of the Scan Exclusions Window under Scan Exclusions, click the Add button.

In the Add Item window, navigate to the CD/DVD drive and select it. The added item should then display the drive letter of your CD/DVD drive, such as D:\ "Include subfolders" should remain checked.

Click OK, Apply and OK your way out.

Re: NIS 2010 scans DVD drives when idle

floplot — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:29:19 GMT

Maybe it was scanning that drive because you had left a DVD in the drive.?

Re: NIS 2010 scans DVD drives when idle

Phil_D — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:43:08 GMT

floplot wrote:
Maybe it was scanning that drive because you had left a DVD in the drive.?

That is correct. But for folks who leave discs in the drive either intentionally or unintentionally, this procedure will eliminate the scanning for that drive.

Re: NIS 2010 scans DVD drives when idle

MikeMcr — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:07:10 GMT

Hi Phil_D

Thanks, I will try that.

Yes, I had left a DVD in the tray and it was pointless Norton scanning it.

Michael

Re: NIS 2010 scans DVD drives when idle

floplot — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:58:31 GMT

Well, there is the possiblity that there could have been a virus or something on the cd or dvd if it was made from someone else's computer that was infected. Maybe it is a good idea to have norton's scan the dvd or cd just to make sure rather to exclude a drive that may have at some point have a dvd that has a trojan on it and then not know it is there until it starts being active on the main drives of the computer. Why eliminate the possibility of having a bad DVD out there.and not catch it right away. I would think the best way is not to leave dvd's or cd's in the drive unless you are at that time using the cd. I know many people who use a dvd and then forget to take them out when they are finished.

Re: NIS 2010 scans DVD drives when idle

Phil_D — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:13:10 GMT

Norton will scan any connected drive that has "content". It does not mean that there was a virus on the DVD.

Placing the DVD drive into the Scan Exclusion list prevents scanning if a disc is left in there.

As long as the drive is not excluded from Auto-Protect, there is that additional layer of protection for when the drive is accessed.