Antivirus Software Information

Last reviewed: 10/20/2003
Article ID: R10760

The information in this article applies to:

• All Versions of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software Products

SUMMARY

There have been reports of virus checking software adversely affecting performance and sometimes even causing errors in our software. It has been established that virus checking software can slow down performance in certain situations. We recommend that virus checking software be configured in such a way as to minimize the effects of virus scanner interference.

MORE INFORMATION

Some virus checking software systems have the ability to virus scan continuously in the background any files that are accessed. This type of configuration can slow down the performance of software, particularly in a network environment. 

Our software is data processing software that is very disk I/O intensive. The software is constantly opening files, writing to them and closing them. Our software also makes frequent use of temporary files. For these reasons, the potential performance decrease caused by continuous virus scanning may be more apparent in our software than in some other types of applications. 

RESOLUTION

• Firms who have disabled continuous virus scanning have reported significant improvements in performance and access times.
• If you are using continuous virus scanning software and you have it configured to scan all files, consider changing the configuration so that it excludes the following files in the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster program directory: *.DAT, *.DTA, *.KEY, *.IDX, *.TMP, *.LOG.
• For optimum performance, We recommend excluding the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster directories from continuous virus scanning software (i.e., the program directory, all directories under it, any archive paths and any data paths configured for additional GLS clients). If required, these directories can be virus checked in a full disk scan during non-peak usage times.
• Note:  If virus scanning software is installed on the server, any changes to virus scanning configuration may need to be made at the server as well as at all workstations. Consult the documentation that came with your virus scanning software for more information.

Excluding the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Program Directory from Continuous Virus Scanning

Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition

Use the following procedure for configuring Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition Version 8 on a workstation to exclude the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster program directory from continuous virus scanning:

1. Select Start | Programs | Symantec Client Security | Symantec AntiVirus Client.
2. Select Configure | File System Realtime Protection.
3. In the Options section, select the Exclude selected files and folders check box.
4. Click Exclusions.
5. Select the Check file for exclusion before scanning check box.
6. Click Files/Folders.
7. Browse to the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software program directory (for example, C:\STI) and select the corresponding check box.
8. Click OK three times to save your changes.
9. Click Exit to exit Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition.

Note:  Additional instructions regarding how to exclude files and directories can be found on Symantec's Knowledge Base on the Internet at: 2002092413394848

McAfee VirusScan

Use the following procedure for configuring McAfee VirusScan Version 4.03 to exclude the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster program directory from continuous virus scanning:

1. Double-click the Vshield icon on the system tray (at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, near the clock).
2. Click the System Scan tab.
3. Click Properties at the bottom (Note: System Scan must be enabled to do this).
4. Click the Exclusion tab.
5. Click Add at the bottom of the "File or folder to exclude" window.
6. Browse to or enter the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster program directory (for example, C:\STI).
7. Make sure the Include Subfolders check box is selected.
8. In the "Exclude from:" section, make sure the File Scanning check box is selected.
9.  
10. Click OK. The Tabs3 and PracticeMaster program directory should appear as an entry in the "File or folder to exclude" window.
11. Click Apply.
12. Click OK.

eTrust (InoculateIT)

The following procedure for excluding specific directories from realtime virus scanning is based on information taken from Computer Associates' Technical Support database, and applies to InoculateIT antivirus software version 4.5 for Novell NetWare. The ability to exclude directories from realtime scanning was added with the release of a patch for the InoculateIT software, and requires that the 9806 level (build 205) of InoculateIT Enterprise Edition be installed.

1. To exclude specified files, directories, or extensions from being scanned by the realtime scanner:
1. To exclude specified extensions from realtime scanning:
   From the Inoculan directory, edit "INOCUINI.CFG" with the file extensions to be excluded from Realtime Monitor. Add the section [RealtimeSetting] in the following format (NOTE: The separator character "|" must be placed between each file extension. The list must initiate and terminate with the separator character):
   
   [RealtimeSetting]
   ExcludeExt=|ext1|ext2|ext3|
   
   
2. To exclude specified directories from realtime scanning:
   From the Inoculan directory, edit "INOCUINI.CFG" with the directory paths to be excluded from Realtime Monitor. Add the section [RealtimeSetting] in the following format (NOTE: The separator character "|" must be placed between each directory path and each directory path must include the volume name. The list must initiate and terminate with the separator character):
   
   [RealtimeSetting]
   ExcludeDir=|sys:\dir1|sys:\dir2|sys:\dir3|
   
   
3. To prevent realtime scanning of specified files:
   In the Inoculan directory, edit INOCUINI.CFG with the files to be excluded under the section [Options] in the following format (NOTE: The separator character "|" must be placed between each file name. The list must initiate and terminate with the separator character):
   
   [Options]
   RTExcludeFiles=|file1.exe|file2.doc|file3.txt|
   
   
2. Unload Inoculan.
3. Rename "INOCUCMD.NLM" in "SYS:\SYSTEM" to "INOCUCMD.QO23795".
4. Rename "RTSCAN.NLM" in "SYS:\SYSTEM" to "RTSCAN.QO23795".
5. Unzip the fix file as follows:      CAZIPXP -u QO23795.CAZ
6. Copy "INOCUCMD.NLM" to "SYS:\SYSTEM".
7. Copy "RTSCAN.NLM" to "SYS:\SYSTEM".
8. Load Inoculan.

IMPORTANT: Each time the "INOCUINI.CFG" file is edited from the above, Inoculan must be unloaded and reloaded.

For more information, see Computer Associates' Technical Support database, article Q023795.

Note: Symantec has stipulated that the "Consumer Editions" of Norton AntiVirus are not designed to work in a network environment and that anyone on a network should use Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition.

Norton AntiVirus (NAV) for Windows 95/98/Me has the potential to load too early in the boot sequence which can cause timing conflicts when more than one program attempts to load as Windows is still initializing. If this happens, Windows cannot correctly allocate or manage the memory required by itself and other programs.

Some users have experienced problems loading Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software after installing Norton AntiVirus. If you experience any of the symptoms noted below using Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software after installing any version of Norton AntiVirus, you will need to resolve the timing conflicts that occur during startup. The symptoms indicative of a timing conflict include:

• An error message may be displayed as programs attempt to load.
• The system may lock up as programs attempt to load.
• The programs may not load at all.

Fortunately, Symantec, the maker of Norton AntiVirus, allows multiple ways to load NAV to avoid potential timing conflicts. For further information on the methods for loading NAV to prevent timing conflicts, please refer to the following articles in Symantec's Knowledge Base at (http://www.symantec.com):

• Article ID 19983374923 - How to troubleshoot Auto-Protect Timing Conflicts
• Article ID 1996613104847 - Error: "Unable to read Norton AntiVirus configuration files..." When Starting Windows
• Article ID 1999011523150406 - How to Maximize Computer Resources for Optimal Performance

REFERENCES

• "How It Works: Viruses" by Kim Zetter. A general overview of computer viruses published on PCWORLD.COM's Web site. Available at http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,31002,00.asp.
• Symantec Article 2002092413394848 - How to exclude specific drives, folders, and files from being scanned by Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 8.0
• Symantec Article ID 19983374923 - How to troubleshoot Auto-Protect Timing Conflicts
• Symantec Article ID 1996613104847 - Error: "Unable to read Norton AntiVirus configuration files..." When Starting Windows
• Symantec Article ID 1999011523150406 - How to Maximize Computer Resources for Optimal Performance
• Computer Associates Article ID Q023795

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Knowledge Base:   http://support.Tabs3.com
Web Site:   http://www.Tabs3.com