220-802 · Question #900
A virus scanner is running on a computer and scans all files currently in use. Why should a full scan be performed periodically?
The correct answer is A. Files not accessed recently may contain a virus. Real-time antivirus scanning only monitors files that are actively accessed, so dormant or rarely accessed files can harbor malware undetected without periodic full scans.
Question
A virus scanner is running on a computer and scans all files currently in use. Why should a full scan be performed periodically?
Options
- AFiles not accessed recently may contain a virus.
- BA full scan optimizes all files on the hard drive.
- CA full scan resets the archive bit on the file.
- DActive antivirus software only scans the C:\WINDOWS directory.
How the community answered
(37 responses)- A86% (32)
- B3% (1)
- C8% (3)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
Real-time antivirus scanning only monitors files that are actively accessed, so dormant or rarely accessed files can harbor malware undetected without periodic full scans.
Files that have not been opened or executed recently are not inspected by on-access (real-time) scanning engines. A periodic full scan checks every file on the drive regardless of access history, allowing the antivirus to detect infections in dormant files, archived content, or infrequently used applications that could activate later.
Antivirus full scans detect and remove malware; they do not perform any file system optimization or defragmentation.
Resetting the archive bit is a function of backup software, not antivirus scanning.
Active antivirus software monitors file system activity across all directories, not just C:\Windows; this statement is factually incorrect.
Concept tested: Importance of periodic full antivirus scans
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/run-scan-microsoft-defender-antivirus
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