Using the Virus Chest in Avast Antivirus

The Virus Chest is an isolated space where you can safely store potentially dangerous files or send them to the Avast Threat Lab for analysis. Files in the Virus Chest cannot run or access your system and data, so any malicious code contained within a file is unable to harm your PC.

By default, files are moved to the Virus Chest in the following ways:

• If you run a predefined Antivirus scan and it detects a suspicious file.
• If an active Shield detects a suspicious file.

In both of the above cases, Avast runs a series of actions which may result in the file being moved to the Virus Chest. Alternatively, you can move files into the Virus Chest manually.

Access the Virus Chest

Access Virus Chest in one of the following ways:

• Open the Avast user interface, then go to Protection ▸ Virus Chest.
• Right-click the Avast icon in your system tray and select Virus Chest.

Move files to the Virus Chest

Avast Antivirus automatically moves malicious files to the Virus Chest if they cannot be repaired. You can customize the default actions in the individual settings for each antivirus scan or shield. For more information, refer to the following articles:

• Adjusting settings for Avast Antivirus scans
• Adjusting settings for Avast Antivirus shields

To add files to the Virus Chest:

1. On the Virus Chest screen, click Add File....
2. Locate the file you want to move to the Virus Chest ('sample.exe' in the example below) and click Open.
3. The file now appears in the Virus Chest and can be sent for analysis.

Restore files from the Virus Chest

To return a file to its original location:

This option will restore the file to its original location on your PC. We recommend using this option only if the file is safe from malware.

1. Tick the box next to the relevant file in Virus Chest.
2. Click … (three dots), then select Restore from the context menu.
3. Click Close in the confirmation dialog that appears.

To return a file to its original location and add to exceptions:

This option will restore the file to its original location, and will add an exception to your exceptions list. All exceptions in the list are excluded from all Avast scans and shields.

1. Tick the box next to the relevant file in Virus Chest.
2. Click … (three dots), then select Restore and add exception from the context menu.
3. Click Close in the confirmation dialog that appears.

Submit files from the Virus Chest to the Avast Threat Labs

Before restoring files to their original locations, it's important to be sure they are clean. To ensure your PC stays protected, send files to the Avast Threat Labs for further analysis. We recommend sending the following file types:

• Potential malware: files that Avast has not flagged as malware, but you believe may be malicious.
• False positive: files that Avast has identified as malware, but you believe may be clean.

To submit a file to the Avast Threat Labs, follow these steps:

1. Tick the box next to the relevant file in Virus Chest.
2. Click … (three dots), then select Send for analysis from the context menu.
3. In the form that appears, tick the relevant box and provide any details related to your issue, then click Send.
4. Click Close in the confirmation dialog that appears.

The file is submitted to the Avast Threat Labs for further testing. In most cases, the Avast Threat Labs processes the files they receive without sending a response to you.

Delete files from the Virus Chest

1. Tick the box next to the relevant file in Virus Chest.
2. Click Delete at the bottom of the Virus Chest screen.
3. Click Delete in the confirmation dialog that appears.

Manage Virus Chest settings

By default, the Virus Chest is allocated a maximum space of 5120 MB, but this can be changed in Virus Chest settings. To configure Virus Chest space allocation:

1. Open the Avast user interface.
2. Go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
3. Click Protection ▸ Virus Chest.
4. Click into the text box and redefine the maximum size of your Virus Chest.

The Virus Chest space allocation is now configured.