Hi. My parents just got a new hp computer with Vista Home Premium. I put AVG on it and it was nothing but problems so I have officially switched to avast.
As soon as I installed avast and restarted the computer, avast did a scan (not behind the scenes - it was on a black screen and I couldn’ do anything else until it was done about an hour later). I sorta assumed it would always do its scans in that same way - but my parents have said it hasn’t done it again.
So, does avast free edition do automated behind the scenes scanning (similar to AVG) so that they would not be aware its happening?
Every now and again a voice speaks to them through the computer that says something has been updated (they aren’t sure what it means). Does this mean that avast is automatically updating virus definitions?
So, I guess my questions are:
1 - Is avast automatically scanning behind the scenes so that it is invisible (even though I didn’t set it to do so)
2 - is it automatically updating virus definitions?
3 - is there a way for me to look at a list of scans (and results) as well confirm whether the virus definitions are up to date?
After I installed it I was looking for a control center and couldn’t seem to find one.
To tie you over until the Experts arrive, I’ll answer Questions 2 & 3.
YES, the Default Setting of avast! IS to automatically Update the Virus Definitions DAILY … at least once a day, but on some occasions there will be 2 Updates in a day. On some rare occasions, there will be 3 Updates in a day. The Message that your parents are hearing is no doubt the — “avast! Virus Database has been updated” that does come out of your Speakers after the aforementioned DAILY Virus Definitions Updates have been completed. If you click on the Little Blue Box that pops up from the bottom of your screen when a Virus Database has finished, you will see another Bigger Grey Box with more Info on the Update. You can then close that Big Window.
As to how to confirm that the Virus Definitions are Up to Date?
Right Click on the avast! “a” Blue Ball Icon in the System Tray.
Click on - About avast!
Click on the + Sign to the Left of - VPS file (virus database).
You should now see the Compilation Date of the latest Virus Definition. And you should also see the File Version, which if you look carefully, is actually in the format of the Year / Month / Day. If there is only ONE Virus Definition Update so far for a particular day, that File Version will have a ZERO after the Dash. If there have been TWO Virus Definitions Updates so far on a day, there will be a “1” after the Dash. If there have been THREE Virus Definitions Updates for a day, there will be a “2” after the Dash in the File Version.
You WILL notice from time to time that late in the day, avast! will actually Update your Virus Definitions with an Update having the NEXT day’s date. Normal.
So many people have said they’ve changed from from AVG to avast! over the last few months that more than once I’ve thought of posting a “Guide for new avast! users” but never got around to it. It would be great to be able to refer you to a user manuals for avast! but none is available right now though I understand they are well on the way to release.
The first scan you saw is a boot-time scan that is run by default once-only after install. It can also be run any other time by right-clicking on the avast! user interface and selecting “Schedule Boot-Time Scan”.
In providing a free-for-home-use version of their retail products, AVG 7.5 and avast! 4.8 have been “feature-limited” in different ways. While avast! Home retains nearly all of the functions and configurability of the Pro version, the most difference is in on-demand scanning.
As you would know, AVG 7.5 Free gives you no choice of period, either a scheduled scan daily or never. Well avast! just has never. ;D
There are ways of getting around this including HOWTO: Scheduled Automatic Scans w/ Free Version! depending on how determined you are.
It looks like Chim has covered the questions while I was typing. BTW, You can turn off the “voice” if you want to. Just search the main forum for more info.
You can activate the Virus Database Update in Progress Indicator so that you can have some indication that your Virus Database is in the process of being updated. This way, you could do as I do (If you wish) and stop what you’re doing and let avast! finish updating the Virus Database. Anyway activate that Database Update in Progress Indicator this way:
Right Click on the avast! “a” Blue Ball Icon in the System Tray.
Click on Program Settings.
Click on Update (Basic).
Click on the Details Button.
Put a Check Mark in the little square next to - Show icon in taskbar tray.
Click on OK.
Now every time a Virus Database Update is in progress, you should see in the System Tray this simulated rotating (But Stationary) Red & Green Arrows Icon in the System Tray.
Another suggestion:
Right Click on the avast! “a” Blue Ball Icon in the System Tray.
Click on Program Settings.
Click on Update (Connections).
There to the Right, Put a Check Mark in the little square next to the Type of Internet Connection you have.
Click on OK.
This should make for more reliable Virus Database Updates … or so I read. Not that avast! Updates aren’t already very reliable and smooth.
"In providing a free-for-home-use version of their retail products, AVG 7.5 and avast! 4.8 have been “feature-limited” in different ways. While avast! Home retains nearly all of the functions and configurability of the Pro version, the most difference is in on-demand scanning.
As you would know, AVG 7.5 Free gives you no choice of period, either a scheduled scan daily or never. Well avast! just has never. "
Thanks for the feedback - but I’m not quite sure I completely understand whether Avast! is doing a scan for viruses on its own or not. The above sentence sounds like it “never” does? But what sense would that make?
Are you saying that Avast does not scan on its own? Does it have to be forced manually? Does it run behind the scenes or is it always very visible?
PS: The directions you forwarded me to for scheduling a scan was for XP and I have Vista (which seems to be “touchy”) so I was thinking I wouldn’t attempt that approach.
Hi ydono
Yes, you are missing something obvious but maybe so did I. :-[
There are 2 types of scanning performed by avast! (and AVG). On-access and on-demand. So far I’ve been talking only about on-demand, for which there is limited scheduling in AVG Free and no scheduler in avast! Home, meaning it must be started manually or with a workaround.
But on-access scanning is active in the background all the time. The Standard Shield, Web Shield, P2P Shield, etc, are working invisibly (with default settings) in real-time to stop any malware from getting onto your PC in the first place. Hope that makes more sense.
BTW, You can turn off the “voice” if you want to. Just search the main forum for more info.