fullscan

Fullscan is a term used in information technology to describe a comprehensive examination that covers all data, devices, or components within a defined scope. It contrasts with targeted, quick, or partial scans and is chosen when complete coverage is required or malware, misconfigurations, or gaps must be ruled out.

In antivirus and endpoint security, a full scan inspects all files, processes, memory areas, and often removable media on a system. It relies on malware signatures, heuristic analysis, and sometimes behavioral monitoring to detect known and unknown threats. Full scans can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, potentially impacting system performance while they run.

In database management, a full scan (often called a full table scan) reads every row of a table to satisfy a query, typically when no suitable index exists or when a large portion of data is required. While necessary in some cases, full scans can be slower than index-based access and are a common consideration in query optimization and performance tuning.

In network and asset discovery, a full scan attempts to identify all hosts, services, and software across an entire network. Such scans can reveal inventory gaps and security weaknesses but may also trigger security alerts or violate policy if not properly authorized.

Variants of fullscan include quick scans, incremental scans, and targeted scans, which balance coverage with speed and resource use. Effective use of fullscans often involves planning, appropriate timing, and clear reporting to avoid undue system impact while ensuring comprehensive visibility. See also: quick scan, full table scan, incremental scan.