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Scheduling a user-defined scan on the client

How to schedule scans on Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) clients (managed and un-managed).

A Scheduled scan is an important component of threat and security risk protection. Always have a schedule scan run at least one time each week to ensure that computer remains free of viruses and security risks. In case of VMWare Environment, check this Article: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH95928

Computer must be turned on and Symantec Endpoint Protection Services must be loaded when the scan is scheduled to take place.

By default, Symantec Endpoint Protection Services are loaded when the computer starts.

In case of Symantec Endpoint Protection clients which are Managed by Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager, then check this Article:

How to schedule a scan from the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager console

For Symantec Endpoint Protection clients which are UnManaged / Self Managed, then check the Steps below To create a scheduled scan 

1. Open Symantec Endpoint Protection by either going to All Programs>Symantec Endpoint Protection>Symantec Endpoint Protection or double-clicking the Anti-virus Icon in the system tray on server's desktop.
2. In the sidebar of the client, click Scan for threats .
3. Click Create a New Scan .
4. In the What To Scan dialog box, select one of the following types of scan to schedule:
   • Custom: Scans the selected areas of the computer for viruses and security risks.
   • Quick: Scans the areas of the computer that viruses and security risks most commonly infect.
   • Full: Scans the entire computer for viruses and security risks.

5. If selected Custom, check the appropriate check boxes to specify where to scan.
6. Click Next .
7. In the Scan Options dialog box,  the following actions could be performed:
   • Change the default settings for what is scanned.
     The default setting is to scan all files.
   • Specify how the client responds if a virus or security risk is detected.
     By default, the client cleans viruses from infected files and repairs any side effects. If the client cannot remove the virus, the client quarantines the file.
     By default, the client quarantines security risks and removes or repairs any side effects. If the client cannot quarantine and repair the risk, the client logs the event.

8. Under Scan Enhancements, select any of the locations.
9. Click Advanced .
10. The Following can be set as required:
    • Compressed files options
    • Backup options
    • Dialog options
    • Tuning options
    • Storage migration options

11. Under Dialog options, in the drop-down list, click Show scan progress , and then click OK .
12. Click OK .
13. In the Scan Options dialog box, change the following options:
    • Actions: Change first and second actions to take when viruses and security risks are found.
    • Notification: Construct a message to display when a virus or security risk is found. Configure whether or not a notification be sent before remediation actions occur.
    • Centralized Exceptions: Create an exception for a security risk detection.

14. Click Next .
15. In the When To Scan dialog box, click At Specified Times , and then click Next .
16. In the Schedule dialog box, specify the frequency and when to scan.
17. Click Advanced .
18. In the Advanced Schedule Options dialog box, do the following actions:
    • Check Retry the scheduled scan within <number> hours of the scheduled time . Set the number of hours within which the scan to run. For example, a weekly scan to run only if it is within three days of the scheduled time for the missed event.
    • Check or uncheck Perform this user-defined scheduled scan even when the user is not logged in . User-defined scans are always run if the user is logged in, regardless of this setting.
      For managed clients, the administrator may override these settings.

19. Click OK .
20. In the Schedule dialog box, click Next .
21. In the Scan Name dialog box, type a name and description for the scan.
    For example, call the scan: Friday morning
22. Click Finish .