How Often Does Avast 5 Auto Update?

[Jack 1000]

Is it every 4 hours like version 4.8?

Jack

[gamemaster1494]

I think its every time you log on. It might not though. It might only update when there is an update avalible. It might check for updates more often though.

[Pondus]

when you log on, then it is checking for updates every 240min (avast free) 60min (avast pro - security suite) deafult settings

[Jack 1000]

when you log on, then it is checking for updates every 240min (avast free) 60min (avast pro - security suite) deafult settings

That sounds like what it was for 4.8.  I have the free Edition of 5.0.

Jack

[dixy]

You can set the update check interval to whatever you want, eg. 150 min, by default is 240. But if you ask how many times avast! actually downloads a new virus database, I'd say twice a day, but may even be more often when needed.

[DavidR]

I think its every time you log on. It might not though. It might only update when there is an update avalible. It might check for updates more often though.

You can set the update check interval to whatever you want, eg. 150 min, by default is 240. But if you ask how many times avast! actually downloads a new virus database, I'd say twice a day, but may even be more often when needed.

Not entirely correct:
When you first connect avast will check for updates and every 4 hours if you remain connected. If like me you are on dial-up it would check when you reconnect.

Yes, you can set the update interval figure to what you like, but in the free program if you set it below 240 it will be ignored (at least that is what Alwil members are saying). It only downloads an update at the time of checking and finding an update is available.

There are usually two updates a day sometimes that is higher (I have had as many as 5 in a day on 4. or on occasion there may only be one update.

[MikeBCda]

There are usually two updates a day sometimes that is higher (I have had as many as 5 in a day on 4. or on occasion there may only be one update.

The last couple of weekends, it seemed there there was only 1 daily on Saturdays and Sundays, 2 (or more) the rest of the week.  I'd guess Alwil shifted a fair bit of manpower over to get v5 finalized and released, and we'll shortly be seeing a return to the usual schedule.

[steen]

I've been using Avast 5 for a few days now on a WinXP3/Win7 test box. Adusting the auto-update interval works fine except that the interval works only for the current logged on session. Avast auto-updates if you re-start/log off/on regardless of whether you specify update every 3 days etc. (I have my reasons...)

I'd also prefer to be asked when updates are available, but the service complains that "the system is not fully protected" with warning icon over the system tray icon. Same when unneeded shields are turned off (unless uninstalled). Any workaround?

Edit:Ninjaedit.

[DavidR]

Then change the avast Settings, Updates for VPS Updates.

If you don't intend to use these Shields you should remove them, unlike 4.8 if you have a shield installed if it isn't running this is going to remind you.

So using windows Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Change, uncheck the Shields you don't use P2P and IM (the rest are essential I feel) and OK your way out. This completely removes those shields and no more unsecured notification. If you need them in the future all you need do is reverse that process, adding the shield/s that you need.

[Gopher John]

I'd also prefer to be asked when updates are available, but the service complains that "the system is not fully protected" with warning icon over the system tray icon. Same when unneeded shields are turned off (unless uninstalled). Any workaround?

Edit:Ninjaedit.

Look at Settings | Status Bar.  Uncheck those you don't want to be monitored.

[street_lethal]

Then change the avast Settings, Updates for VPS Updates.

If you don't intend to use these Shields you should remove them, unlike 4.8 if you have a shield installed if it isn't running this is going to remind you.

So using windows Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Change, uncheck the Shields you don't use P2P and IM (the rest are essential I feel) and OK your way out. This completely removes those shields and no more unsecured notification. If you need them in the future all you need do is reverse that process, adding the shield/s that you need.

I was thinking the same thing yesterday removing the p2p and IM shields, I don't use either. You can also disable the shields permanently then go to settings>status bar> and under "components monitored" uncheck the shields you disabled and it won't bug you. Either or, remove them with add/remove programs or disable them and disable the monitoring of the disabled shields.

Edit: just saw that Gopher John beat me to it.

[steen]

Then change the avast Settings, Updates for VPS Updates.

If you don't intend to use these Shields you should remove them, <SNIP>

Already noted in my post. Additionally, update settings are set to ask/off. Warning tray icon only off when both options were set to auto-update. Flipping monitoring checkboxes on/off (below) seems to have fixed it.

Look at Settings | Status Bar.  Uncheck those you don't want to be monitored.

Thanks Gopher, already had IM, P2P status bar monitoring unchecked as well as def auto-updates off. However, I just cycled virus def version & program version monitoring off/on & the warning icon is now off.

Thanks street_lethal.

Edit: Now all I'd like is for the old bugbear of 000.fcl driver from PowerDVD 8 to not be flagged occasionally...

[DavidR]

The difference in not being monitoring and them not taking up any resources is more what I was getting at if they aren't installed, they obviously won't be monitored and don't use any resources.

[Go Pack Go]

I have the "I only connect to the internet using a dial up modem" checked and I haven't received any virus database updates since i first installed it.  I have connected 3-5 times and been on the internet for a total of 4-5 hours.  Why haven't I been auto-updated?

[DavidR]

Uncheck that option for some weird reason that stops the check.