I am new to Avast and trying it out. I’m a bit unsure with the updating menu bars - iavs update and program update.
Is Avast manual updating ONLY. I got the impression from using Avast for a couple of weeks that it automatically does updates like AVG. Does it also auto update the program? It says it does on their website but i wonder.
When i’ve done a manual update it seems to download a file every time. Is this as expected?
thanks
No avast has auto updates, these simply allow for manual update at a time of your choosing if you have disabled auto updates.
The file/s it downloads is basically the process of checking what version you have and if there is an update required.
Many thanks David. Bit like AVG then; it is set by default to autoupdate but one can turn it manual if one so wishes. I thought so but wasn’t sure. I’m just trying it as an alternative to AVG - its mail scanning for Thunderbird could be better than AVG when set up properly with the TB extension.
thanks
Your welcome.
I don’t want to disappoint you, but I’ve read here in forums that AVG works better with TB extension… Maybe you can find something searching the board. Maybe you’re lucky if Alanr could drop a word here, our ‘mail’ guru 8)
The clue in the statement is when used with the Tbird extension and set-up properly, I believe avast is easier to get set-up with the webmail extension than AVG. I think this was also what Alan said. But avg is better for SSL when used outside of the email client avg can scan but avast can’t without STunnel.
Yeah. You’re right. I’ve messed both informations.
Thanks for the correction, David.
I guess I’m redundant now … you guys have all the information I could write on the back of a postage stamp. 
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but i think the defaults for Avast are to auto update the vps, but program updates are set to ask. This can be changed in the program settings.
Redundant nah, Real knowledge as opposed to a simple search and cut and paste are somewhat different ;D
You’re fully right.
Your help much appreciated - many thanks. I’ll have a look at using the Thunderbird webmail extension. As for using Avast - i just thought i’d have a change from AVG. When i did try email scanning with AVG i have to say it was very slow and that is with broadband. I’m going to reformat my machine…well i’m actually going to be getting a router and linking a pair of machines - setting up everything shortly so i’ll let you know.
I’m hoping that Avast with the webmail ext might be a bit faster than the AVG setup. To some extent perhaps it’s a waste of time as googlemail’s own scanning should be good! :o
You’re welcome. Feel free to come back and ask for any help you need.
About Googlemail, ok, it is scanned but I’m not so sure that the service is all trustable, I mean, how often the antivirus is updated (engine and virus database).
Sorry not to get back to you for a while. I’ve had a number of domestic problems to sort out and didn’t get round to checking out what i wanted to. In response to some comments you each made:
1] I set up TB with webmail extension now. At the time of my earlier posts i couldn’t see what the difference was between ‘direct’ to ports and setting up with webmail extension. With webmail extension i found the scanning very quick and efficient. As i see it TB without STunnel is no loss and i’m pleased with the extension setup. I use googlemail with a couple of isp email accounts and thus wanted the scanning.
2] But does googlemail actually scan on the server? THEY do not permit .exe files or in zip and thus no email containing a virus in fact can be sent/received. Perhaps that is what they mean when they say scan for viruses - thus removing viruses at the same time! Do other webmail servers do this… it seems inbox.com do who are the other providers i use. I used the eicar test virus and experimented [available from Mozilla website can’t remember where now].
3] Avast i think is quicker than AVG but also quicker on updates - i think i get an update every other day. AVG was twice a week.
Perhaps someone could put me right on 2] if i’m wrong?
thanks
I assume you mean gmail, if that is correct email is scanned on their server.
I can’t speak for other webmail providers, but even so you need do nothing if the do or don’t if the thunderbird webmail extension pulls them in avast will scan them (I’m a trusting sort NOT so even if they were scanned a second opinion never hurts). Otherwise the web shield provider would scan your webmail when viewed through your browser.
Googlemail is the name by which GMail is known in the UK and Germany (due to trademark disputes). It is the same product.
As reported before in the Thunderbird and forum and here if you want your GMail scanned by avast and you do not want to use STunnel then you can use the GMail extension of the Thunderbird Webmail extensions to get your GMail and have it scanned. If you follow the instructions for scanning localhost mail (just posted in your email thread) then your GMail will also be scanned by avast.
GMail says they scan attachments - I do not think it has ever been clarified whether they scan just attachments or the body of the email too.
Ah all is clear, I believe I heard something about this for the UK ‘gmail’ version some time ago but it slipped my mind.