Icarus - we need more info about it

[TheOwner]

Hello,
plese explain us, what “Icarus” is.

If I install new version of Avast trough offline installer, it not contain “Icarus”. It seems “Icarus” is randomly distributed trough update process, but if I hit program update button, Icarus will not install.

1.What is “Icarus” and why some computers have it and some not?
2.How can I obtain “Icarus” if is still not part of my Avast installation?
3.What benefit gives me “Icarus” over standard installer?

Thank you.

[Nom]

I don’t understand what you’re talking about? Where did you see him?

[Rundvleeskroket]

For a week or so, the firewall asks everytime if icarus.exe can connect even an allowed rule is set

i have 24.11 also , but icarus is still here [image]

[eduttman]

As best I’m able to determine, a new copy of icarus.exe is associated with every invocation of the update process and subsequently discarded. The interim copy of icarus.exe tries to access the WWW and many versions of firewall software are triggered into action.

If the AVAST developers are determined to use icarus.exe, place a “permanent” copy in product’s sub-directory.

[user55]

So what has been determined about this? Is this file necessary? Why does it need to run in the background if not? Can it be uninstalled / deleted? How? What about registry entries left? I already have an issue with the Avast Browser leaving ACTIVE registry entries AFTER UNINSTALL. I use Sysinternals Autoruns. It shows me everything.

[NON]

Please read lukor (one of avast devs) said here…

below are quotes and my guess.

–

1.What is “Icarus”

@lukor

Icarus.exe is a regular part of Avast, it is the installer.

–

why some computers have it and some not?

2.How can I obtain “Icarus” if is still not part of my Avast installation?

Maybe it’s distributed gradually, like 10 thousands users then 100 thousands… Avast did this since ages ago for program updates.

–

Is this file necessary?

Yes. For both virus definition / program updates. See comments below.

@lukor

Also, please note, that blocking icarus.exe means, the program will no longer be up-to-date and you will not get the VPS updates either.

–

Can it be uninstalled / deleted?

No, it’s part of Avast product and you cannot remove it separately unless Avast devs decided to do so or provides special steps if existed.

–

What about registry entries left?

As it’s part of Avast product and not a separate one, my best guess is it’s the same for its parent product.

–

[NON]

@eduttman

If the AVAST developers are determined to use icarus.exe, place a “permanent” copy in product’s sub-directory.

It looks like it cannot be done according to here.

@lukor

we’ll discuss what the options are, but unfortunately it seems that having the binary static (a setup where even a strict firewall won’t trigger the popup) somewhat fights against the whole purpose of the updater

[Rundvleeskroket]

@NON

It looks like it cannot be done according to here.

I somewhat disagree. Having the installer be a monolithic file is a choice. Not an imperative.

[NON]

Well, if you think so, it should be told to avast devs, not me

[Nom]

I have win-10, automatic module updates disabled, avast 24.2.6104 interface 1.0.801 signature version 241115-0 and I do not observe any buses of the Icarus brand.

[Rundvleeskroket]

@NON

Well, if you think so, it should be told to avast devs, not me

I really hope the devs are reading this. Their visits to the forum are far and few between imo.