How to reset virus database on Zimbra

Zimbra uses ClamAV as its antivirus to scan email for viruses. The virus database is normally updated regularly, but if the system cannot update it, the virus database needs to be reset. To reset the virus database, use the following procedure. Stop the ClamAV service with:

# zmclamdctl stop

Delete the virus database files with:

# rm -rf /opt/zimbra/data/clamav/db/*

Start the ClamAV service with:

# zmclamdctl start

Besides a failure to update the virus database, resetting the database may also help resolve the following problems.

• The antivirus runs slowly or does not run.
• amavisd cannot connect to clamd.
• Temporary files in /opt/zimbra/data/clamav/db cannot be deleted.
• The virus database is corrupted.