"Avast needs to restart your computer"

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I have posted about this in the past and so have others, but I would like to know (from an Avast team member if possible) why these happen? It doesn’t look like there was a new emergency update pushed out, as the update date on the Avast program version in the Update settings section still reads as Dec. 5, 2023. I also have my Program update setting set to “Remind me when an update is available.” Post restart the only thing that has changed is the Build number from 23.12.8700.812 to 23.12.8700.813

Is this something pushed out automatically by Avast to everyone or to some users? Or is/was there something wrong with my installation (I re-installed it yesterday afternoon) that some mechanism recognized and needed to fix? If it’s that, how does that work? Is it similar to when someone manually repairs Avast themselves?

I would like to know any answers anyone has that isn’t simple speculation. I have been having some anxiety about Avast lately so this isn’t exactly optimally timed to say the least.

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I would like to know any answers anyone has that isn't simple speculation.
My speculation ;D a virus engine update
3

You had one job.

In all seriousness, is there precedent for this? What are you basing this answer on? And how is a virus engine update different from a program or definitions update in terms of what triggers it and what actions it needs from the user?

Does an engine update affect everyone equally? Did anyone else get a “Avast needs to restart your computer” notice around 5 pm EST yesterday?

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You had one job.
And what job was that?
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It was a joke in reference to the “speculation” part.

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What are you basing this answer on?
Previous answers from avast team years back The AV engine need more the just signatures, where/what to scan, what to do, how to clean….

Anyway since i am speculating, somone from avast team have to confirm if i am right or wrong

7

Fair enough. Hopefully they can.