Avast v5 to v8 : Technical issue with VPS update since 16 february

[securitest]

avast Free 8.0.1497, windows 8.1 64 bits

Hello, for 3 days no vps update are available

command-line :

Code: [Select]

"C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\ashUpd.exe" vps /autoreboot
output on the 19 februray 2017:

Code: [Select]

=======================================
avast! Antivirus Updater, Version 8.0
Copyright (c) 1988-2013 AVAST Software
=======================================

Working...

Engine and definitions: Already up to date  (current version 170216-0)
Total time: 3 s
Download time: 1 s
Downloaded files: 2 (0,00 KB)
Server: k0578934.iavs5x.u.avast.com (88.221.112.171)

This was working before.
What's going on ? some bug on the servers ?
thanks for your replies.

Edit on 21 february :
changed the topic title to match the infos given by HonzaZ (Reply #10)
The issue is a technical one that should be solved

[Eddy]

Stop using such a old version.
It is not supported anymore.

You need to install the latest version.

[securitest]

This is not an answer to the question.

Does the new version provides a vps update through ashUpd.exe ?
You can test that easily via the command-line.

[Eddy]

Yes it is.
Support has ended, you can't expect it to work (properly) anymore.

Ofcourse the new version is using ashupd as that is the part of avast that looks and gets updates.
There is no need to run it from a command line.
Auto-updates and manual updates through the UI or through the menu near the clock are using it.

[securitest]

If by "support has ended" you mean no VPS update will be given for this version, starting from 16 februrary 2017,
I would like to know which versions are currently supported.

The topic 'Release history with notes' does not say which versions are supported or not :
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=183543.0

[Eddy]

versions are 8.0.1497 and lower of the following products: Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Pro Antivirus, Avast Internet Security, and Avast Premier.
It was already announced in may 2015 as you can read on the avast website (blog).

Get it over and done with and install the latest version.
Not just for the support but also because you are missing a huge part of security (especially against newer threads)

[securitest]

The link to this old announcement is https://blog.avast.com/2015/05/06/support-for-older-avast-windows-consumer-version-will-end/
but no recent sticky warning on the forum for the sudden end of VPS update, seemingly.

I will not argue if the last version is always better.

Changing from avast 8 to avast 2017 is like changing completely from one product to another,
so I will have to test other antiviruses to see which one send the less adds,
gather the less personnal datas, hinder the less the proper functionning of the computer, etc...

thanks anyway.

[Eddy]

so I will have to test other antiviruses to see which one send the less adds

No need to test, that will be the paid ones.

[NON]

@Eddy
Users should be able to update VPS even with old program versions, and it is stated by Avast.

At the end of this month, Avast will end product enhancement support for older consumer versions of Avast Antivirus – we will not be ending security support for these products. Customers will continue to receive threat updates and will continue to be fully protected.

Although Avast announces the end of VPS updates for v4.x , not v5 or later.

Also there is no announcement here.
https://www.avast.com/download-update

[=SKY=]

Same problem and discussion in the german part of the forum:

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=197357.0

[HonzaZ]

VPS 5 (for versions 5-8) hasn't been stopped, there is just some issue that prevented us from releasing updates. We are intensively working on fixing the problem

[NON]

VPS 5 (for versions 5-8) hasn't been stopped, there is just some issue that prevented us from releasing updates. We are intensively working on fixing the problem

Thanks for the clarification HonzaZ

[securitest]

Happy to see it is just a temporary issue (which was my first guess).
Well, one day VPS updates for oldest versions will end, but I hope it will be stated clearly in advance (on the forum, and the blog).

Personal point :
I like a stable (bug free) configuration on my computer, so I usually change apps that deeply interact with the system (AV, Firewall, HIPS, Disk imager) at most every 2-3 years.
The most catastrophic events in the last 15 years that happened to me where never caused by virus, but by errors of mine, Windows updates, and security apps...

[REDACTED]

Same issue as OP, we're using 8.0.1609 of Endpoint Protection Suite; through SoA local server or from avast servers, situation is the same, 170216-0 are the latest definition versions that are reported..

[HonzaZ]

Same issue as OP, we're using 8.0.1609 of Endpoint Protection Suite; through SoA local server or from avast servers, situation is the same, 170216-0 are the latest definition versions that are reported..

Well of course, read reply #10 - we have some issues which prevent us from building a new VPS.