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Difference between Full and Deep scan

  • October 26, 2015
  • 7 replies
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Sometimes when I do a full scan it finds a virus that a deep scan doesn't find. Why is this?

Best answer by shorTcircuiT

@ wrote:
David,
 
So it is worth it to do a full scan every now and then.
I think so.  My own scheduled scan is the suggested Deep Scan, but once in a while it would not hurt to do a full scan.  I try to every couple weeks, though I do not 'sweat it' if I forget it... WSA has my back either way in the long run 🙂

7 replies

shorTcircuiT
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  • October 26, 2015
Hello there, 
 
I believe mainly a Full Scan will scan all currently mounted hard drives while the Deep Scan will focus on the C Drive.  For those computers that have partitions, one of which is used for storing backup images or recovery data, a Deep Scan will NOT scan those.  
 
Compressed files of that nature do take a lot longer to scan, and so it is recommended that one uses the Deep Scan for quicker performance, but a Full Scan will scan your restore partitions.
 
I think the Full Scan also scans additional areas of the drive that do not normally contain executable files, and thus normally do not normally contain an issues, where the Deep Scan does not.  Items that are NOT found by the Deep Scan are not a concern as WSA will catch them if they are accessed for any reason.  The main concern is to make sure that executable files which run all the time are clean.
 
I hope this helps

  • Author
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  • October 26, 2015
David,
 
So it is worth it to do a full scan every now and then.

shorTcircuiT
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  • October 26, 2015
@ wrote:
David,
 
So it is worth it to do a full scan every now and then.
I think so.  My own scheduled scan is the suggested Deep Scan, but once in a while it would not hurt to do a full scan.  I try to every couple weeks, though I do not 'sweat it' if I forget it... WSA has my back either way in the long run 🙂

RetiredTripleHelix
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I never do Full scans on any drives as WSA's Realtime Shield is always on the look out! And I love my Scan times!! LOL
 
Daniel :D
 


Baldrick
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  • October 27, 2015
Hi Tommy1965
 
I appreicate that this will be a little 'previous' but if I might add...you might also find this KB Article on the differences between a Full & Deep Scan interesting.
 
Regards, Baldrick

RetiredTripleHelix
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I also love this thread Kit explaining the difference, it's a classic: https://community.webroot.com/t5/Webroot-SecureAnywhere-Antivirus/Scanning-PC-suspiciously-fast/m-p/6636#M215
 
Daniel 😃

Baldrick
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  • October 28, 2015
Indeed, Daniel...a real gen of an article...they just don't write them like that anymore...mores the pity. ;)