pyClamd

What it is and what it does

pyClamd is a client library that connects Python code to a ClamAV antivirus daemon (Clamd) running as a separate service. Instead of embedding ClamAV's library directly, it communicates with an already-running daemon process. The package has no runtime dependencies and was last released on 2017-08-27.

The library lets you scan files and streams for viruses by sending requests to the Clamd service and receiving scan results. Because it depends on an external daemon rather than Python dependencies, the main installation friction comes from needing to set up and maintain a separate ClamAV service, not from Python package conflicts.

Use it for:

• Add virus scanning to a web application by connecting to a centralized Clamd service
• Scan uploaded files in a document management system before processing
• Monitor and quarantine suspicious files in a file-sharing or backup system
• Integrate antivirus checks into a Python application where direct libclamav linking is not permitted

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

pyClamd provides a Python interface to the Clamd daemon, enabling virus detection in Python applications by communicating with a running ClamAV service.

No. The package is abandoned with no updates since 2017-08-27, and Python version support is unspecified. While it has no known vulnerabilities and no runtime dependencies, the lack of maintenance combined with high install friction and copyleft licensing makes it unsuitable for new projects. Consider maintained alternatives if antivirus scanning is critical.

Install

pyclamd on PyPI

pip install pyclamd

uv add pyclamd

poetry add pyclamd

Installing pyClamd

Before you install

Installation friction is high: the package has not been updated since 2017-08-27 and is marked as abandoned. It requires a separately installed and running Clamd daemon, adding operational complexity beyond the Python install itself.

License in practice

Licensed under GNU Lesser General Public License v3 or later (LGPLv3+), a copyleft license. Derivative works and linked code must be made available under compatible terms, which may restrict use in closed-source projects unless carefully isolated.

Quickstart

import pyClamd
clamd = pyClamd.ClamdNetworkSocket()
if clamd.ping():
    result = clamd.scan_file('/path/to/file')

Requires a running Clamd daemon service configured and accessible on the network or local socket before pyClamd can connect.

Verify before relying

• Whether the package works with modern Python versions (support unspecified in metadata)
• Current compatibility with recent ClamAV daemon versions
• Whether Clamd daemon installation and configuration steps are documented

Package facts

Evidence: pyClamd-0.4.0-py2.7.egg; pyClamd-0.4.0-py3.4.egg; pyClamd-0.4.0.tar.gz

Keywords: python

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