hello
i´m from germany and i try to describe what i´m looking for. i hope someone here speaks german so its easier for me to tell.
ok, i have the free version with registration key and i want to know, for what i have to use the “v.db” - virus…database - with its three setting types? use with screensaver, if the pc doesn´t work and another type.
i choose the v.db generate und the symbol in the task runs permanently but nothing happens. for what is this setting. please describe that i can understand this.
I think you’re talking about VRDB and not the VPS (virus database). If I’m right, VRDB scans all the local hard disks for executable files and stores some info about them. VRDB is not a backup system, the stored information is very small (not the whole files). Besides, only Win32 executables are processed - i.e. autoexec.bat and config.sys aren’t there anyway. The VRDB data are stored in \Data\Integ\avast.int
If you click on ‘FAQ’ in my signature you’ll be drived to more info about avast and VRDB.
when i start it, this function makes a kind of copy of all my exe, dll an so on from my both hdd or only from partition who windows is installed?
is that right, have i understand this? and this kind of copy may takes a time? 1 hour or more?
but where is the copy of my system? where can i find it in avast!?
when i get a virus, what i have to do with this “vrdb-generation-file” in avast4/data/integ folder? how can i restore the infected files with avast!? which steps i have to do in avast that this vrdb-file overwrite the infected files?
thanks again for your help
i´m so lucky to get help here so fast
cu
odb
When avast detects a virus it automatically uses the VRDB information to restore - if possible - the executables to a clean state. I can’t manage or work with the VRDB, it only works internally, with avast cleaner routines. Don’t worry 8)
Kerio Personal Firewall maintains an MD5 hash for all executables that connect to the network and if one of those executables changes, KPF alerts the user.
Am I to understand that Avast’s VRDB does something similar in that it can detect when any executable has changed, not just network applications.
No, VRDB run only in the stablished period into avast4.ini file (default, 21 days).
It stores the last three versions of the executable info and just use them when an infection is to be cleaned by avast.
VRDB will be automatically turned on after the period stablished into avast4.ini file. Click ‘Settings’ in my signature.
The method to turned on can be configured right clicking the ‘a’ blue icon and choosing VRDB.
To turn off, well, it will be automatically when avast finishes the HDD scanning for executables.
You’re welcome. Feel free to ask any other question… If you can, come back and help the others making the forum better and better.
Once you have generated it for the first time you can select how you would like it to be maintained (run in the future), Generate VRDB when computer is idle, Generate VRDB only when screen saver is running. By default if you have one of these selected every three weeks (the default duration) the VRDB will be run.
You need to have enabled a screen saver in the windows Display Properties, Screen Saver Tab if you want it to work with a screen saver, I don’t believe it has to be the avast screen saver any screen saver.
How do I turn the entire process off? For example, let’s say I discover I have a virus now and the VRDB is therefore contaminated. How do I disable it so it can’t mess things up in case another virus comes in?
I doubt that avast would allow the VRDB to become contaminated (that would definitely be a flaw in the process), I presume files are first scanned before data is stored to use later. Not all files are monitored/protected by the VRDB usually system files, .exe, .dll, etc.
If the worst came to the worst you could delete the VRDB file, C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\integ\avast.int where the data is stored.
However, I feel you may be going to far in the what if scenario. How would you discover you have a virus in a file that the VRDB Monitors/Protects (you can’t). As has been said before the VRDB has three entries (once you have run it at least three times) to try to recover from this very unlikely event.
One other thing to ensure this doesn’t happen to me, I run the VRDB manually only after I have done an avast scan.
I should have asked how you run it manually, which implied when you do not run it manually it does not run.
I just want to know how to turn the entire process off so I do not have something running that takes up CPU cycles or could get screwed up when I am defragging or whatever. How do I turn the VRDB thing off?
Or is it part of the real time scanner? I am imagining it to be a separate process.
I have mine set to use the screen saver and since I never let my system use a screen saver (just goes to stand by) the VRDB won’t run. By using these settings and how I have my system work the VRDB is still on but doesn’t update its database automatically.
I do regular system maintenance every week, so for me every 3rd week (or 2nd if you choose) I do a manual ‘Generate VRDB Now.’ So I control when it runs so it doesn’t interfere with any other program.
I wouldn’t advise turning the entire process off, without it you have no possible repair function period. The VRDB it an essential part of the overall protection, but it can be disabled (have a look at the avast help file or the VRDB options and you will see it can be disabled), without its generation you loose the ability to repair files monitored by the VRDB. But that is your choice.
I will use your manual technique. Thanks for the heads up to all who responded.
While I have your attention I need to resolve one more issue. I am using a web proxy called AdSubtract (aka “InterMute”). It operates on port 4444 and intercepts the port 80 stream and strips out various content I tell it to get rid of, eg. popups, javascript, advertisements, etc.
I added 4444 to the list of “Redirected web ports”, separating it from the 80 that was there by default with a comma. Should I have removed the 80, since it is first in the list and may bypass the proxy? Should I remove it altogether or put it second, giving 4444 first stab at the web stream?
Sometimes I turn the proxy off, either in Mozilla or AdSubtract, so that has to be taken into consideration.
Note for WinNT/XP users: this option is available only in direct proxy mode - when no proxy is set in the browser and avast is used transparently by redirecting port 80, upstream proxy does not work.
Restart the WebShield provider. (terminate and then start).
Then setup Internet Explorer to use webshield as a proxy server: localhost, port: 12080
Avast: Settings…Update (Basic)…Details…Proxy…Check Specify Proxy Server, Address (in my case) 192.168.0.1, Port 80
Proxy:
Internet Explorer: Tools > Internet Options > Connections > Lan Settings > Uncheck ‘Use a proxy server’
Firefox: Tools > Options > General > Connections Settings > Check’ Direct connection to the Internet’
