Updates

[jopa66]

Avast last update was May 9. I had no notification that the automatic update was not working and only discovered this when Windows informed me that it was not up-to-date. Manual attempts to update indicate problems connecting with server. Update page also informs me of new version 8.0.1488. I then manually downloaded the latest version (being 8.0.1489) and chose custom installation over the current installation. Nowhere was I given the option to install or reject Google Chrome or the Google Toolbar - two programs that I refuse to have on my computer. What gives you the right to install anything on my computer without my permission? let alone software that is not even related to security, malware or virus protection. And now after installing this trash, Avast still is using the old definitions and still will not connect to the server.

[Para-Noid]

You might have missed it. When you chose the custom install it was on the same screen.

edit: I know this screenshot shows Google Drive but the Chrome option would have been on the same screen.

[DavidR]

Well I did an update from the UI and I did get the option after the update you should get a reboot notice. After the reboot I got another screen and that has the chrome opt-out sections.

I don't know why you didn't.

[jopa66]

Fine. Maybe I had a brain fart and missed the option about Google. IMO a security company has no business to even offer a 3rd party unrelated software in the first place. Having said that - my virus definitions are now 8 days old and it still will not connect to the server. Maybe Avast should be more concerned with security issues rather than which browser I use. Having switched to Avast from Avira, I have not yet learned this program thoroughly. Is there no built in warning when the definitions are outdated? Is there a link to manually download the definitions?

Addendum: I do not remember the screenshots posted by DavidR. I definitely would not have chosen to install. The main issue is the program will not update and my security is at risk.

[Asyn]

Is there a link to manually download the definitions?

-> http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/vpsupd.exe

You might try to set avast! to: Direct Connection (No Proxy) before you download the database.

[jopa66]

Thanx Asyn. Have downloaded and applied so I'm good for now. But the main problem still exists. The program still will not connect to the server. Just checked the kids computer which is my old Windows XP and still has Avast version 7. That one is up-date-automatically. So the problem is somehow with Avast 8 on this Windows 7 machine.

[Asyn]

But the main problem still exists. The program still will not connect to the server.

As said, set avast! to: Direct Connection (No Proxy)

[jopa66]

I have done this Asyn as per your suggestion. However the update UI still cannot connect to server. Each time I try to update, the page initially says "cannot connect to server". It then gives up after 37s and names the server it was trying to find. This server name and IP address is different each time. I have confirmed that there is no entry in the hosts file which might be preventing a connection. I'm hoping for suggestions to try before I uninstall and re-install the software.

[Asyn]

- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS/Premier)
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)
- Other security related software installed..??
- Which AV did you use before avast!..??

[jopa66]

Avast! Free v8.0.1489
Windows 7 -64bit SP-1
Malwarebytes v1.75, Spybot v1.62 - both used only on demand (no resident components running)
Am most familiar with Avira but, this machine was custom built professionally about 3 months ago. The shop which built the computer installed Windows and Avast Free v7. I decided to keep Avast and subsequently updated it to Avast 8 sometime in March. Although I don't like the UI (prefer v7) everything seemed to be working fine. Trusting its autoupdate feature, I did not become aware of the connection problem until Windows informed me that Avast was not up-to-date. I was given no warning by Avast that the definitions update attempts had failed. Nor can I find a log which lists the various attempts, whether successful or failed. (These warnings and logs are easily accessible in Avira). I'm not trying to pit one AV against another, just saying that the Avast UI seems much more complicated and I have not yet taken the time to fully understand it.

[Asyn]

A. First, be sure to get rid of all remnants of your prior installed AVs.
-> https://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=574
-> http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/

B. Drop Spybot..!!

C. 1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions..!!)
3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[jopa66]

Thanx Asyn for your help. Problem is solved! Turns out that connection issue was due to Windows Firewall. Had been trying a couple of different firewalls and went back to built-in WFW. Somehow there were now extra rules in there which were messing things up. Reset to default and now all is good. Only one question remains - Does Avast give any kind of warning if definitions update fail? If not, this would be feature recommendation so as not to wait a week until Windows notifies a problem.

[Aventador]

If you want to try various software then use Time Freeze. Its a great free program. That way there you do not run into issues of uninstall left overs.

http://www.toolwiz.com/products/toolwiz-time-freeze/

[jopa66]

Thanx Aventador , definitely seems worth checking out

[Asyn]

Thanx Asyn for your help. Problem is solved!

You're welcome.