Issues with Full System Scan Settings

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

I have scheduled full system scans to take place weekly.  However, whenever it is idle at night, it runs a full system scan.  I know this isn't a huge deal, but it is driving me nuts, how can I fix it. My version of the software is: 17.5.0.127

 

Thanks

pwlhome202

2

First, if NIS2010 has never finished an Idle Time Full System Scan, it will keep trying to do so (whenever the system is Idle) until the Idle Time Full System Scan is done at least once.  After that, the Idle Time FSS will obey the settings in the parameters.

 

Second, when you scheduled the Full System Scan to run weekly, are you talking about a manual Full System Scan or the Idle Time Full System Scan?  The setting shown below is only for the Idle Time Full System Scan.

When you setup a manually scheduled Full System Scan, NIS2010 should have asked you to confirm that you wanted to turn OFF the Idle Time Full System Scan.  Did it do so?

 

Computer Settings.png

3

I have scheduled full system scans to take place weekly.  However, whenever it is idle at night, it runs a full system scan.  I know this isn't a huge deal, but it is driving me nuts, how can I fix it. My version of the software is: 17.5.0.127

 

Thanks

pwlhome202

4

Thanks for the feedback, very helpful and sorry for my delayed response.  The system has often completed full system scans, I've actually never stopped it.  What I scheduled - now that I double checked - is the Idle FSS for a weekly scan.  It just finished one last night, so I'll see if it happens again tonight at 8pm.  I did not schedule a FSS manually, as I'm not sure how to schedule it 'manually' but obviously I know how to start a manual scan,  FSS or otherwise.  Do you suggest one vs the other?  I'd be interested in your response.  If I find the FSS happening again tonight, then I'll turn off Idle System Scan and just put a weekly reminder in outlook, as I do w/all my updates.

Thanks,

Clare

5

I would like to clarify a point that dbrisendine made.  You will notice that "Idle Quick Scans" Run every few hours, depending mainly on when you get the Full Virus Definitions, or every few days, depending how often your P.C. is on.  If you have Idle-Time Scan "Off", then the Idle Quick Scans will continue to Run - confusing, huh? - even although the "Idle-Time Scan" is "Off" as this only applies to the Idle Full System Scan.   This means that if one tries to Stop the Idle Quick Scan, it will Stop - for about a few seconds - before Starting again until it Completes.

 

I would always suggest taking the time at least once-a-week - even more, should you wish - to do a Manual Full System Scan, dis-connected from the Internet.  Being Dis-Connected will help prevent Threats using their Anti-Detection and Anti-Removal Techniques, if there were actual Threats on your computer, that is.  But, generally, it is advised to do a Full System Scan at least once-a-week, so I don't really know the thinking behind putting "Quarterly" in...

 

 

 

6

You are so right.  I had to turn off Idle Time Scan because, when I checked the history, it was running one daily, along with at least two quick scans a day - based on how long I chose to have it wait to run when the computer is idle.  I wish I could simply stop the scans and only run them manually daily for a quick scan and weekly for a FSS.  Is that at all possible?

Thanks for your help (and I agree, Quarterly scans are risky).

Clare

7

Hi, Clare,

 

You can, of course, still Manually do Quick Scan and Full System Scan Daily should you wish (it is a good Security to do a Quick Scan(s) Daily and a F.S.S. Weekly); however, when it comes to the Idle Time Scan, if Turned Off, this will only prevent the "Idle Full System Scan" from Running, but the "idle Quick Scan" will continue to Run at least once-a-day.  The reason behind this is that the Security Status will Change to "Attention" should a Quick Scan not be run for three days.  Even if symantec were to take out this option, i.e. if the "Idle Time Scan" really did stop all Idle Scans, then the user would still get an Alert from the Norton Product alerting them to the issues that they have, and could quite easily Run a Manual Scan, so, again, I don't really know why symantec can't offer a Check-Box to "Alert Me when a Quick Scan/Full System Scan hasn't been Completed in Two Days" type-of-thing.  They say N.I.S. has "more" Options than Norton 360, and, in some respects, N.I.S. does feel alot like Norton 360 with regards to there being limited options.  Anyway, I hope this answers your question.  Please feel free to Post any other Questions or Concerns you may have about this.  Thank-You. 

 

 

[Edit: Clarification]

 

 

 

8

Thanks for your insight and help, very useful.  This is a terrific website.

Clare

9

Thank-You, Clare, for your kind comments; I'm glad I could be of assistance to you.  Please feel free to visit us - the Norton Users' Discussion Forum - anytime should you have an issue, a concern, or just wish to ask a question.