As a Windows user, you are used to the fact that there is always a virus scanner somewhere in the background watching out and immediately informing you of any malware infection or already acting accordingly.
I use for this under Windows Avira Free Security and am also very satisfied with it.
Only, of course, this program does not run on my OpenMediaVault instance. So how do I protect my files when they are stored on it?
Fortunately, the developers of OpenMediaVault also provide you with a handy plugin. Because with this plugin you can install the free open source antivirus program "ClamAV" on your OMV instance.
Once configured, incoming and outgoing traffic is automatically monitored. You can also configure regular scans of your folders. If a malicious program is found, ClamAV will automatically delete it or move it to a quarantine folder.
Everything you need to know to configure ClamAV in your OMV instance is described in the following article.
Safety instructions
I know the following notes are always kind of annoying and seem unnecessary. Unfortunately, many people who knew "better" have lost eyes, fingers or other things due to carelessness or injured themselves. Data loss is almost negligible in comparison, but even these can be really annoying. Therefore, please take five minutes to read the safety instructions. Because even the coolest project is not worth injury or other trouble.
https://www.nerdiy.de/sicherheitshinweise/
Affiliate links/advertising links
The links to online shops listed here are so-called affiliate links. If you click on such an affiliate link and make a purchase via this link, Nerdiy.de will receive a commission from the relevant online shop or provider. The price does not change for you. If you make your purchases via these links, you support Nerdiy.de in being able to offer other useful projects in the future. 🙂
Requirements
Before you start with this article, you should have prepared the Raspberry Pi so that it can be reached via the network and controlled via SSH. It should also have OpenMediaVault installed and running.
The following articles describe what needs to be done to prepare your Raspberry Pi:
- RaspberryPi – setup for nerdiys!
- RaspberryPi – The first configuration!
- RaspberryPi – Control the RaspberryPi via SSH
- Raspberry Pi – Build NetworkAttachedStorage / NAS with a Raspberry Pi 4 yourself
- 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 ClamAV plugin via the OpenMediaVault interface
In order to use the functions of the ClamAV plugin, you need to install it first.

Installation is very simple thanks to the OMV interface.
To do this, first click on the heading
- plugins
in the section
- system

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

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 be started.
Once it is complete you can click on "Close" to exit the installation area.
Activate and configure ClamAV Antivirus Plugin
The ClamAV plugin is now installed but not yet activated (or even configured).

On the page that appears, you can make all the basic settings.
First, enable ClamAV by checking the "Enabled" box.
You should also set the "Database checks" setting to 12. This way, ClamAV automatically updates its virus database every 12 hours. This is important to reliably detect new malware.

In addition, you can select a share folder in which found malware should be stored. It is best if you define your own "quarantine folder" for this.
Simply create a folder as usual. I have described how to do this here:

You can apply the other settings as shown.
In my opinion, they are a good compromise to reliably detect malware but at the same time not overload the system.
Then click on "Save" to apply the settings.
Enable live/on access scanning from ClamAV
In order for your shared folders to be automatically scanned for malware, you must now configure them for "On Access Scans". Once activated, all data traffic in these folders will be monitored. If a malicious program is found, it is automatically deleted (depending on the configuration) or moved to the quarantine folder.
Enable and configure scheduled ClamAV scans
In parallel to live monitoring, you can also configure ClamAV to regularly scan shared folders for malware.

You can also configure at which times this scan will be executed.
In the example shown, the scan is started every day of the month (each represented by the *) at 21:00. However, this only happens on the weekdays Monday and Tuesday.
In addition, you can also set what should happen to detected malware here.

In my opinion, it is best 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 detection.
Of course you should have activated the last point "Send mail".
To save the settings, you must then click on "Save".
More articles related to OpenMediaVault
I have described the many other functions of OpenMediaVault in other articles. All articles on the subject can be found here
Have fun with the project
I hope everything worked as described for you. If not or you have questions or suggestions please let me know in the comments. I will then add this to the article if necessary.
Ideas for new projects are always welcome. 🙂
PS 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 think it's cool that I share the information with you, I would be happy about a small donation to the coffee fund. 🙂