As a Windows user, you are used to the fact that a virus scanner is always on the lookout somewhere in the background and immediately informs you about an infection with malware or already takes appropriate action.
On my Windows systems I use Avira Free Security and am very satisfied with it.
Of course, this program doesn't run on my OpenMediaVault instance. So how do I protect my files once they're stored on it?
Fortunately, the developers of OpenMediaVault also provide you with a practical plugin here. Because with this plugin you can install the free open source virus protection program "ClamAV" on your OMV instance.
Once configured, data traffic is automatically monitored. You can also configure regular checks of your folders. ClamAV then automatically deletes any malware it finds or moves it to a specified quarantine folder.
I have described everything you need to know to configure ClamAV in your OMV instance in the following article.
Safety instructions
I know the following hints are always a bit annoying and seem unnecessary. But unfortunately, many people who knew it "better" from carelessness lost their eyes, fingers or other things or hurt themselves. In comparison, a loss of data is almost not worth mentioning, but even these can be really annoying. Therefore, please take five minutes to read the safety instructions. Even the coolest project is worth no injury or other annoyance. https://www.nerdiy.de/en/sicherheitshinweise/
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Requirements
Helpful articles:
Before you start this article, you should have prepared a Raspberry Pi so that it can be reached via the network and controlled via SSH.
The following articles describe what needs to be done to prepare the Raspberry Pi.
- RaspberryPi - Setup for nerdiys!
- RaspberryPi - The first configuration!
- RaspberryPi - Control the RaspberryPi via SSH
- RaspberryPi – Build NetworkAttachedStorage / NAS from a RaspberryPi 4 yourself
- RaspberryPi – Install OpenMediaVault / OMV on the RaspberryPi
In the following lists you will find all the parts you need to implement this article.
Required tool:
Number | Link |
---|---|
1x | Screwdriver set Buy at Amazon |
1x | SD card reader Buy at Amazon |
Required material:
Number | Link |
---|---|
1x | Raspberry Pi Buy at Amazon |
1x | Raspberry Pi power supply Buy at Amazon |
1x | Raspberry Pi case Buy at Amazon |
1x | Micro SD card 64GB Buy at Amazon |
Install the ClamAV plugin via the OpenMediaVault interface
In order to be able to use the functions of the ClamAV plugin, you must of course install it first.

Installation is very easy thanks to the OMV interface.
First click on the heading
- plugins
in the section
- system

The quickest way to find the ClamAV plugin is to use the search function in the upper right corner.
Just type "clam" there. After that, ClamAV's entry should be the only one visible.

Then mark this entry by clicking on it and start the installation by clicking on the small blue arrow in the marked area.

The installation will then start.
As soon as it is complete, you can exit the installation area by clicking on "Close".
Activate and configure the ClamAV Antivirus plugin
The ClamAV plugin is now installed but not yet activated (or even configured).

On the page that now appears, you can make all the basic settings.
First activate ClamAV by ticking "Enabled".
You should also set the "Database checks" setting to 12. ClamAV then automatically updates its virus database every 12 hours. This is important to reliably detect new malicious programs.

You can also select a shared folder in which to malicious programs will be stored. It is best if you define your own "quarantine folder" for this.
If needed create a folder as usual. I have described how to do this here:

You can accept the other settings as shown.
In my opinion, they are a good compromise for reliably detecting malicious programs without putting too much strain on the system.
Then click on "Save" to apply the settings.
Enable ClamAV live/on access scanning
So that your shared folders are automatically checked for malware, you must now configure them for "On Access Scans". Once activated, all data traffic in these folders is monitored. If a malicious program is found, it is automatically (depending on the configuration) deleted or moved to the quarantine folder.
Enable and configure scheduled ClamAV scans
Parallel to live monitoring, you can also configure ClamAV so that shared folders are regularly scanned for malware.

You can also configure when this scan is run.
In the example shown, the scan is started every month every day (represented by the *) at 21:00. This only happens on Monday and Tuesday.
You can also set here what should happen with found malicious programs.

In my opinion, the best way is to move infected programs to quarantine (if configured). Of course, you can also delete the malicious program directly or do nothing. In the latter case, you will only be informed about the find.
For this you should of course have activated the last point "Send mail".
To save the settings, you must then click on "Save".
More articles related to Open Media Vault
This completes the installation of OMV. I have described the many other functions in other articles. These articles are all grouped into the following category
Have fun with the project
I hope everything worked as described. If not or you have any other questions or suggestions, please let me know in the comments. Also, ideas for new projects are always welcome. 🙂
P.S. Many of these projects - especially the hardware projects - cost a lot of time and money. Of course I do this because I enjoy it, but if you appreciate that I share this information with you, I would be happy about a small donation to the coffee box. 🙂