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Excluding certain files or websites from scanning in Avast One

 
This article is about exclusions in Avast One. For information about exclusions in Avast Antivirus, refer to the following article: Excluding certain files or websites from scanning in Avast Antivirus.

Although it is generally not recommended, you may want to exclude certain files, folders, or websites from being scanned by Avast One. This can speed up your scans and prevent false-positive detections.

Set exceptions only if you know that the files and websites you want to exclude are safe. If you are unsure about a file, you can scan it in Virus Total, or add the file to Quarantine and submit it to Avast Threat Labs.

Add an exception

Setting an exception will exclude individual files, folders, or websites from all scans and shields.

To add an exception:

  1. Open Avast One and go to Account ▸ Settings.
  2. Select the Exceptions tab, then click Add an exception.
  3. Read through the questions to ask and click Next ▸ I understand risks.

The following exceptions are available:

Website URL exception

  1. Ensure the Website / Domain option is selected.
  2. Enter a URL domain to exclude all pages with this domain name, then click Add.

Web Hijack Guard exception

  1. Ensure the Website / Domain option is selected.
  2. Type the website URL into the text box using the following example as a reference: dns://*.example.net*

File or folder location exception

  1. Select the File / Folder option.
  2. Click the folder icon.
  3. Tick the box next to a file or folder, then click OK.
  4. Click Add.

Command line exception

  1. Select the Command Line option.
  2. Enter the command and optionally provide Command parameters, then click Add.

Manage exceptions

You can manage your current exceptions via the application settings:

  1. Open Avast One and go to Account ▸ Settings.
  2. Select the Exceptions tab.
  3. Hover the cursor over the relevant exception, then select an option:
    • Pencil icon: Edit the exception.
    • X icon: Remove the exception from your list.
    The list updates automatically.

Further recommendations

For information on how to add exceptions for networks or applications in Avast One Firewall settings, refer to the following article:

Add an exception

To exclude files, folders, or applications from being scanned by Avast One:

  1. Open Avast One and select Explore ▸ Scan Center ▸ Open Scan Center.
  2. Ensure that the Scan now tab is selected.
  3. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the panel for your chosen scan.
  4. Click Add exceptions.
  5. Select the file, folder, or application you want to exclude from being scanned, then click Open.
  6. If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The file path is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the X icon.

To exclude files, folders, or applications from scanning by File Shield:

  1. Open Avast One and select Explore ▸ File Shield ▸ Open File Shield.
  2. Select the Exceptions tab, then click Add exceptions.
  3. Select the file, folder, or application you want to exclude from being scanned, then click Open.
  4. If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The file path is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the X icon.

To exclude websites or domains from scanning by Web Shield:

  1. Open Avast One and select Explore ▸ Web Shield ▸ Open Web Shield.
  2. Select the Exceptions tab, then click Add exceptions.
  3. Enter the URL of the website you want to exclude from being scanned and select the Web server services type, then click Add.
  4. If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The website is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the X icon.

Further recommendations

For more information about managing scan, File Shield and Web Shield settings in Avast One for Mac, refer to the following articles:

  • Avast One
  • Windows and Mac


Updated on: 20/12/2024

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