AVG Free Anti Virus Program Updated Today

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 7 Aug 2006 8:07 am

If you use the AVG Free anti virus program you should check for updates and install all new components. No reboot is required on most computers.

Afterward, if you have a software firewall, you will need to allow the changed executables to access the Internet (if a popup challenge appears). I use ZoneAlarm and had to allow four changed files to continue to connect out, after updating to version 7.1.405 (today's update).

I have complete details about this update on my blog, on this page about AVG Free.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 7 Aug 2006 10:12 am

Wiz:

When I booted today, AVG automatically downloaded and updated with no interaction whatsoever required on my part. Properties now shows that I have version 7.1.405.

I have always received all updates automatically--the new definitions come in nearly every day--usually about 8:10 AM.

Kind of surprised to see your post indicating users had to check in. Does it work different for different users and/or systems? I am using XP Home with the XP Home firewall, and no problems yet.

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 7 Aug 2006 3:43 pm

Mitch;
You are not mistaken that AVG checks for updates automatically. It does so once a day, within the time-span you select in the scheduler properties. If you don't choose a time the program will use the default schedule, whatever that is. It will check for available updates once and if none appear it will not check again until the same time-span, on the next day. If your computer is off during that time frame you will not get any updates unless you check manually.

Since I created an hourly run of the AVG updater, via Windows Task Scheduler, I have received more daily updates that I used to get. Updates are pushed out at various times of the day to different areas of the world. It makes sense to me to check manually from time to time, if you are not using my Windows Task Scheduler trick.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices

[This message was edited by Wiz Feinberg on 07 August 2006 at 04:43 PM.]

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 8 Aug 2006 4:14 am

Yeah, same here. The update process occurred a few minutes after I powered up my PC for the day and took only the usual few seconds to complete The version shows as 7.1.405.

ZoneAlarm didn't hiccup.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 Aug 2006 4:28 am

Must have been some special update yesterday as my EZ Armour antivirus did an auto update about 1 PM (eastern). Normally it checks for updates whenever Windows is started but yesterday as I was working on the PC I noticed it did an auto update.

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 8 Aug 2006 7:04 am

While the makers of free security products are under no obligation to maintain an on-demand, off-schedule release of definition updates, my experience with AVG is that they do so, when necessary to combat a new threat found in the wild. Sudden anti virus updates can and do occur throughout the day in response to dire threats. Otherwise, expect daily updates for AVG Free.

Paying customers of AVG are used to getting multiple definition updates daily, when necessary. Consider this a courtesy of Grisoft that they push sudden definition updates out to non-paying customers as well.

Compare this to NAV, which basically sticks to a once a week update schedule, except for emergencies.

I should mention that the people working at the major AV houses have their hands full and should be applauded for their efforts to respond to new emerging threats and risks. In most cases they are playing catch-up.

Many of the current and emerging virus threats are designed to steal information, or hijack your Internet connection for evil purposes (BotNets), or to use your computer as a spam relay, or to install spy/ad ware to gain commissions from low-life search companies and porn brokers.

------------------
Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 Aug 2006 10:46 am

The C.A. EZ Armor anti-virus also does daily updates (if needed), plus as noted special updates during the day if needed.