Avast can not be updated due windows firewall control

[reb0rn]

I have Windows 11 firewall control and each time avast try to update itself or database, firewall ask for new file access to net, if I click it AV already say failed, also there is no option in the setup of the to detect new child processes for avast after some of the latest avast update!
I would like to make avast update from same place and not randomly create new directory for update!

[Martin00]

I have similar problem.

Avast staff, please fix the updates and do not use randomized paths and filenames.

[user8262]

This is also been happening with AVG Antivirus as well on two of my computers running Windows 10 and Windows 11. Both Avast and AVG are using the same Icarus update engine. I had this problem since late July and even if I uninstall using AVG Clean (for Avast users, Avast Clean) and perform a reinstall, then by the time a new update arrives in a month and click on ‘Check for Updates’, I still get that error “Sorry, something went wrong”. Disabling real-time protection and the modules did not make any difference. When I plan to reinstall, I get the offline installer instead of the stub (online) installer.

Even if I disable my third party firewall (also using Windows 11 Firewall Control by Sphinx Software) and the Windows built-in Firewall, it still triggers the same error “Something went wrong”. I don’t have a VPN enabled and I also tried temporarily changing the DNS server address and scanned for malware but still did not make any difference. Also if you try to run the uninstaller for Avast/AVG Antivirus via Programs and Features in the Control Panel and choose to check for Application Updates, it will throw you an error something like “Cannot get Icarus files” with error code 44002.

[user8262]

Is the Icarus updater for Avast/AVG ever going to be fixed? Even if we disable the firewall and modify the DNS server settings, some are still facing the same result “Something went wrong” when clicking on “Check for Updates”.

[user8262]

After 25 years of using Avast/AVG, I finally pulled the plug on it due to unable to resolve this update loop.

For those interested, I’m using Windows Defender with DefenderUI 2.10 by Voodoo Shield (allows you to harden Windows Defender with enabling hidden settings for protection enhancement) and Malwarebytes (free version that only allows on-demand scanning) as second defence.

[Martin00]

It seems that there is no way to update avast unless you give up your own security. Very very bad…

[DavidR]

First, I’m an Avast user and not an Avast Team member.

Rather depends on what that is, if it is blocking the Avast Updates, shouldn’t you be trying to find a way to allow the Avast Updates in the other firewall.

With the Avast Firewall installed, Windows should disable the Active Firewall element. Clearly there is no way to allow the avast update permission in the windows firewall settings either by allowing Avast in general. Or allowing the icarus.exe full permissions to update. I know it uses a different (number) as in the screenshot, can it not allow wildcards line icarus.exe* (or the temp folder) in the alternative firewall, in same way you can set a wildcard in the Avast Exclusions.

[Martin00]

Rather depends on what that is, if it is blocking the Avast Updates, shouldn’t you be trying to find a way to allow the Avast Updates in the other firewall.

Its not possible for me to unblock something that doesn’t exist yet and that will have a randomized file name. I need a full path, service name or running process name. Unblocking icarus alone doesn’t work even when child processes are allowed for it.

With the Avast Firewall installed, Windows should disable the Active Firewall element.

I don’t use Avast firewall because it doesn’t have features I need.

can it not allow wildcards line icarus.exe

My firewall can’t use wildcards.

Clearly there is no way to allow the avast update permission in the windows firewall settings either by allowing Avast in general. Or allowing the icarus.exe full permissions to update.

Exactly. Avast really screwed it up…

[chris...]

It does indeed seem that, statistically speaking, this problem is becoming more widespread.
It seems complicated to configure third-party firewalls to allow updates, given that icarus.exe creates multiple temporary files.
If this is intentional on Avast’s part, I think it’s pretty borderline ; otherwise, they should provide instructions on how to properly configure firewall rules to allow updates, which doesn’t seem obvious to everyone affected.

Related?

Update avast

Now avast screwed up completely!! There is a new update and its not possible to update it! At least until now there were offline versions of the installers, now they are gone. How the hell is someone suppose to update avast in zero trust firewall settings? For god sake, stop creating randomized exe files in charge of updates! It seems that I can no longer use Avast at all now since I’m stuck with old version and old av database. Avast seems to make one bad idea after another.

Icarus.exe firewall problem

hi, Am using avast free antivirus with other free firewalls software like tinywall and evorim freefirewall. The icarus.exe file is being created by avast in a temporary folder while i try to update avast. The problem is: the icarus.exe files tries to connect to hundred of IP-addresses that change and i cant whitelist them in the firewall software and the avast update fails. It would be nice if avast made the icarus.exe file in a static folder so that i can whitelist the exe file in my evorim…

Cannot update Avast or AV database

I’m also having the same problem with AVG Antivirus which also uses Icarus as the same update engine. I agree with you it also places Icarus.exe into random temp folders with some string of numbers. It’s been happening on two of my computers since July. Even if you do a clean uninstall and a fresh reinstall using an off-line installer of Avast or AVG, and a month later when a new update is available it will throw you the same error “Something went wrong”. Doing a temporary change to your DNS se…

[DavidR]

@chris...

It does indeed seem that, statistically speaking, this problem is becoming more widespread.
It seems complicated to configure third-party firewalls to allow updates, given that icarus.exe creates multiple temporary files.
If this is intentional on Avast’s part

I think it is intentional, not so much to in bugger Avast users (with a different firewall), but possibly to prevent blocking of the update function, by outside agents.

[chris...]

@DavidR

to prevent blocking of the update function, by outside agents.

So it turned out well
Updates are now blocked by legitimate firewalls; potential hackers no longer need to find a way to block updates

Isn’t that a little counterproductive?

[reb0rn]

Solution can be quite easy, if main avast process/app can not update only then spawn new app for update for it…