How should I best manage updating virus definitions as I have only dial-up access to the internet
As a dial-up user on the avast 5.0 free version I suggest that you leave them on the default settings (more or less). However, in the avast Settings, Updates, set the Update Parameters to I only connect to the internet using a dial up modem, see image.
I also delay the update check so that if needs be I can quickly connect collect email and disconnect, etc. without the update check happening at that time, to that end I delay mine by 10 minutes (600 seconds), see example below.
- In avast5 you need to edit (using notepad)
avast5.ini the
[InetWD] section of the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Alwil Software\Avast5\avast5.ini
- Dial-up connections, add this line:
RASWaitSeconds=600 and
UseRAS=1 if not present (or edit UseRAS=0 to UseRAS=1)
[InetWD]
UseRAS=1
RASWaitSeconds=600
When complete save the changes, avast's self-defence module will ask for confirmation, etc. answer Yes.