Free Antivirus with easiest update?

[aigle]

Currently there are 3 popular free AV -- AVG, Avst and Antivir.

Ignoring their protection level, I want to ask which one of these is easiest to update. Also do anyone of these has autoupdate function like paid antivirus programmes( i mean that they update in background and if you disconnect from internet, on your next connection to internet update will restart automatically from the same point) . I used AVG for sometime but its update is manual and many times disconnects that I hate.

Also all of these three do realtime scanning for whole of your system,or some are selective.

I will especially welcome the comments of actual users.

[hbkh]

Easily, Avast. It has prolly one of the best updaters out of any antivirus free or paid.

[trickyricky]

Avast has the best update system of all three, being the most customisable and being reliable. The updates are the smallest of the three as well, sometimes only being in the region of 25k.

An excellent all-round performer, particularly considering it's free.

[WSFuser]

avast of course

[FastGame]

{QUOTE-> Easily, Avast. It has prolly one of the best updaters out of any antivirus free or paid. <-QUOTE}
Yep, avast! shines in this area :)

[zapjb]

A V A S T

[Bluesman]

{QUOTE-> Avast has the best update system of all three, being the most customisable and being reliable. The updates are the smallest of the three as well, sometimes only being in the region of 25k.

An excellent all-round performer, particularly considering it's free. <-QUOTE}
I agree!

I have used all three AVs and Avast is the best on updates.

[metallicakid15]

ya avast

[TAP]

avast! Home Edition has one of the best update mechanism among free and paid AVs, it's extremely fast, full automatic, robust and much more reliabilty.

You don't have to do anything about the update module, just install the program, avast! updater will check/update as soon as your machine gets connected to the internet and it will permanently check/update every 4 hours by default as long as your machine gets connected and besides that, you can set it to check/update hourly.

I've noticed that sometimes the VPS file is just about 1.74 KB in size.

[nicM]

Regarding update, me too, I can only say Avast! (which does really deserve its exclamation mark! ;D ); never failed, always quick.

Cheers,
nicM

[PCJohn]

Grisoft AVG Free.
Its the best Antivirus for dummies.
Easy installation, Automatic updates, configuarated for internet users with little experience.
Just download it and click on next a few times and its running without any problem.

[aigle]

Anybody has used the latest release of Antivir? how is the update fot it? Any better than before.

secondly, why is that updates for Avast are so small, may be means incomplete protection?

[TAP]

{QUOTE-> why is that updates for Avast are so small, may be means incomplete protection? <-QUOTE}

avast! uses so-called "incremental updates" not accumulate updates, so you can get full protection from avast!.

Incremental updates, with only new or missing data downloaded, thus reducing the transfer heavily. The typical size of a virus database updates are tens of KB; program updates typically are in the hundreds of KB range.

For more technical details, Alwil guy (vlk) can tell you more if he gets around here.

[vlk]

Incremental updating is now used by a majority of AV products (although avast was one of the first who had it, back in 1999 - bandwidth was expensive at these times...).

I can't say why the competitor's updates are typically bigger than avast's - maybe their "delta" algorithms are not so good. The updating system in avast is quite mature (as I said, it was first introduced about 7 years ago) and since then, we have changed/tweaked a number of its parameters to optimize its performance.

Also, we try to provide uninterrupted updating service even in "rush hours" - meaning that we have HUGE redundancy on our servers (bandwidth-wise). Currently, avast uses 46 dedicated updating servers (most of them connected directly to a backbone; at least 1GBit througput to the Internet) and we expect this number to double in the next 12 months.


Thanks
Vlk

[sweater]

I am on dial-up...and Avast updates is very fast. Its the first thing that immediately connects to net everytime I starts online and it finish its updates quick. Easy to configure and has lots of amazing features that you can discover as you go along using it. 8)

[TAP]

{QUOTE-> Grisoft AVG Free.
Its the best Antivirus for dummies.
Easy installation, Automatic updates, configuarated for internet users with little experience.
Just download it and click on next a few times and its running without any problem. <-QUOTE}

I don't think AVG Free is suited for novice users, especially for careless people who don't have the particular interest about virus protection.

For example, AVG Free doesn't have the *real automatic updates* (as avast! home edition has), it only has the scheduled task to check/update once a day so if you miss you have to wait for 24 hours to check/update again or you have to manually check/update it periodically.

What if novice users don't know about this truth? what if it comes to an outbreak that Grisoft has to release the signature several times a day but AVG Free can do an automatic update only once a day and users don't do a manual update? are thay at high risk?

Besides that, AVG Free uses low priority update servers so it can be down periodically, what if the update servers down while AVG Free goes automatically update?

For AVG Free, if users do a manual check/update periodically via its AVG Control Center while they're online so it shouldn't be a problem about the updating.

I think the reliable update mechanism (gets updated as soon as possible when the signature released) is a *must have* for reliable protection.

[PCJohn]

The Avast settings are to compilcated for beginners.
The best protection against virusses is no Kazaa or Messengers and no free Mp3`s/screensavers/smileys etc.

[Paradutch]

I am using Avast 4.6 pro now...and I am VERY happy with it!!!!!!the updates are also very small and fast....not megs like antivir or some others that need to bring in a load of updates every day:-(

I mean did you EVER update Mcafee???? Jeeee what a pain in the a** that is to update!!!

cheers,

Paradutch

[RejZoR]

{QUOTE-> The Avast settings are to compilcated for beginners.
The best protection against virusses is no Kazaa or Messengers and no free Mp3`s/screensavers/smileys etc. <-QUOTE}

Thats certanly not true. From my experience avast! 4.5 and above (especially avast! 4.6) is designed with "install and forget" idea in mind. Advanced users will prefer to tweak it out to perfection, but it will work the same with default settings which are nicely balanced. All that novice users have to do is to move the On-Access slider from Normal to High or vice versa.
Advanced users can use Customize button for advanced tweaks.
I don't think it could be any easier than this.

[PCJohn]

Many people will keep on downloading garbage because its free.
And press on inviting messages in their messenger.
And they keep on complaining about virusses and spyware.
And some friend or neighbour must help them clean their pc (again).
What you do with your pc and take some interest in the settings of your browser and program settings is even and sometimes more important then wich av is the best.

[Albinoni]

{QUOTE-> Easily, Avast. It has prolly one of the best updaters out of any antivirus free or paid. <-QUOTE}

I would have to say Bitdefender updates more than Avast according to my own experience.

[wildman]

:) From one who has tried all the "free" protection programs, it's AVAST that wins the gold medal in this area. For a "free" repeat "free" product I think it would be hard to find one better.

Thanks
Wildman

[wildman]

{QUOTE-> I am using Avast 4.6 pro now...and I am VERY happy with it!!!!!!the updates are also very small and fast....not megs like antivir or some others that need to bring in a load of updates every day:-(

I mean did you EVER update Mcafee???? Jeeee what a pain in the a** that is to update!!!

cheers,

Paradutch <-QUOTE}

Amen brother, I could not agree with you more!

Thanks
Wildman

[mercurie]

{QUOTE-> Grisoft AVG Free.
Its the best Antivirus for dummies.
Easy installation, Automatic updates, configuarated for internet users with little experience.
Just download it and click on next a few times and its running without any problem. <-QUOTE}This would be my thoughts too. HOWEVER, I have never tried avast so you must consider that when when reading my opinion. ;)

[rdsu]

Use avast! because it have one of the bests update engine out there, even better than the most paid AV's... ;)

[hbkh]

{QUOTE-> I would have to say Bitdefender updates more than Avast according to my own experience. <-QUOTE}I wasn't talking about update quantity; I said the update mechanism itself is better, or atleast that's what I was trying to say. ;)

[aigle]

I think, it,s enough. So many people have almost made me convinced that Avast updates are best in fee AVs. Thanks all of you. I am going to use it.

[aigle]

{QUOTE->

I mean did you EVER update Mcafee???? Jeeee what a pain in the a** that is to update!!!

cheers,

Paradutch <-QUOTE}

Latest McAfee updates nicely in background with no problems, it,s my favourite AV, also captures lot of spywares as well, I think most effective against spywares and trojans of all dedicated AVs.

[waters]

Antivir now updates for me,trouble free.Avg also did when i tried it years ago.

[pilotart]

A 'Clean Install' of AntiVir Version 7 is doing a nice job for me on its Auto-UpDate,
(since uninstalling Version 6 that quit updates except by "UnZip & Paste" 31 January).

Its default Scheduler is Activated on the "once a day" default and I have noticed that if Console is open,
it does not check if done earlier that day.:-*

Otherwise, as soon as I establish a dial-up connection, a tiny (expandable) box appears in upper right hand corner, (over my [Start] button)
connects, checks and last time it was just a :20 second download/install of just VDF-3.:)

Would expect that after H&BEDV's AntiVir Free Servers get back to normal, that you will be able to specify the recommended
"Six Hour" Schedule or whatever keeps you comfortable. They still seem tb be overloaded at times with (7) issues and those 'Nag-Screens' to load.::)

No experience with Avast or AVG, Norton and EZ-Trust are completely in the background on their updates.
(but they are not quite "Free");D

[Kerodo]

{QUOTE->
Would expect that after H&BEDV's AntiVir Free Servers get back to normal, that you will be able to specify the recommended
"Six Hour" Schedule or whatever keeps you comfortable. They still seem tb be overloaded at times with (7) issues and those 'Nag-Screens' to load.::)

<-QUOTE}

You will never see that happen. They appear to be blocking regions during certain hours of the day. It has been that way for a long time even with version 6. So there is no way one can do the update every 'x' hours. You'll have to settle for once a day.

[pilotart]

{QUOTE-> You will never see that happen. They appear to be blocking regions during certain hours of the day. It has been that way for a long time even with version 6. So there is no way one can do the update every 'x' hours. You'll have to settle for once a day. <-QUOTE}I did not even know it was possible to block regions during certain hours.???

Guess I am lucky to be in a region that they are not blocking.;D

I only began with AntiVir on 16 Jan and it worked very well until 1 Feb and then
the "Block" was that updates that you could watch download, would never install.

It began with a Version 7 download that I Blocked and then progressed to updating my
Version 6's UnInstaller but I Never allowed it to attempt an Automatic Install,
due to all the problems reported and chose to clean and do a manual install of 7.:thumb:

The third Automatic update for today, was 23:09GMT 2 files totaling 2,419,240 in under two minutes,
a little less than 9 hours ago it was 25KB in 20 seconds, plenty to keep me loyal.::)

______________________________________________________________

No doubt, with all the problems that others have reported,
my advice would also be to avoid AntiVir, for the near future.

Unless you really feel you need a free AV with the best detection right-now,
you would be better to stick with what you have, for the moment.

Just Like, Microsoft may release a new Operating System late this year,
my advice would be to hold-off for six more months before you buy it.:isay:

_______________________________________________________________

Since the point of this thread is about "ease of update" I can say that
AntiVir is easier now with new version than version six,
which had been strictly manual, for the free version.

For the other top free versions that I considered, AVG was tops in "Fuget-a-bout-it"
ease of use but #3 in detection score.

Avast was reported to have superior protection (#2) but the most to "learn"
for setup and use. I will follow the crowd and vote for a new user to
start with Avast.:thumb:

Along with a good (free) Firewall (like ZoneAlarm) and Three good AntiSpy's
(like Spyware Blaster, AvBot S&D and AdAware) all free, user should have
no problem related to low detection scores.:o

To be sure, after a time period, run a Kasperski Free OnLine Scan and then
see if you think you might need to 'up-the-detection' score;D

[Kerodo]

{QUOTE-> I did not even know it was possible to block regions during certain hours.???

Guess I am lucky to be in a region that they are not blocking.;D

I only began with AntiVir on 16 Jan and it worked very well until 1 Feb and then
the "Block" was that updates that you could watch download, would never install.

<-QUOTE}
To be fair, I have to say that I am only speculating that's the case based on my experience with AntiVir. I am in the U.S., Pacific region, California to be precise. I used version 6 for quite some time last year and have used version 7 for several weeks since it came out. I have NEVER been able to update AntiVir's defs from approximately midnight my time till noon the next day. That's a 12 hour window when all I get here is AntiVir sitting there trying to connect for a half hour or more until I give up. If I run the update from noon my time to midnight, I can get thru instantly. So my conclusion is: they are blocking during certain hours. What else can it be? This occurred with version 6 all the time, so please no excuses that the servers are overloaded due to version 7 traffic and program updates. Nonsense.

Anyway, as I say, that is MY experience with AntiVir. I really don't know if my theory is true or not. I cannot prove anything. And apparently others can update any time during the 24 hour period(?). At any rate, it's no good for me. I can never schedule updates say every 4 hours or so. Just won't work here.

And sure, it's possible to block traffic from any 'region' during any hours any time you like. People do it all the time in business to keep unwanted traffic out of their servers for various reasons..

At any rate, if you get better mileage with AntiVir then by all means, use it. I have decided to move on to other things myself..

[pilotart]

Time is the key, H&BEDV's servers are located in Germany, which is GMT+one hour,
or US Pacific Standard Time plus nine hours, so Midnight to next day's Noon would be Nine AM to Nine PM in Germany.

I HAVE noticed that lately it has sometimes taken a few minutes to establish connection with Server,
during Nine to Four PM German Time.

It would stand-to-reason that for the past month or so, that they would be doing more service to their servers during
weekday working hours, with all those 11MB Bombs to serve.:o

But would expect that with customers WorldWide, that
the load should even out some and assuming that they
added server capacity (as they said) then would expect
following delivery of most of the 7's and all the mad users
jumping to AVG, server access should improve.

http://www.files.bz/files/3227/AntiVir%20Updater.jpg
This is what I usually see for a few seconds on establishing connection
unless AntiVir Console is open and up-to-date.

Looking for H&BEDV to add a slight mod to the program to send the
"Already Up-To-Date" signal from the TaskBar and eliminate a lot of
un-necessary server connections. I like to watch the new "Guard" at
work, but most users don't have the console open all the time:)

[Kerodo]

{QUOTE-> Time is the key, H&BEDV's servers are located in Germany, which is GMT+one hour,
or US Pacific Standard Time plus nine hours, so Midnight to next day's Noon would be Nine AM to Nine PM in Germany.

I HAVE noticed that lately it has sometimes taken a few minutes to establish connection with Server,
during Nine to Four PM German Time.

<-QUOTE}
Being the tinkerer that I am, I will no doubt give it another try some day, but for now it's on to trial some of the others.. thanks for your input pilotart...

[RejZoR]

Well Alwil is located basically in the same timezone as germany and they don't have such problems. So timezpne location doesn't play as big role as many think...

[Kerodo]

Yep, I have tried at least a half dozen other AVs and have never had one problem with ANY of the others. Just AntiVir. Avast has always updated flawlessly..

[bellgamin]

On-thread- BitDefender-free does its updates fast as greased lightning, & smooth as a baby's posterior. Of course, it's on-demand only-- I mean BD (not the posterior).

Off-thread- No offense, but (IMHO) selecting an AV based primarily on ease of update is sorta like selecting a doctor based on the sweetness of his receptionist. Further deponent sayeth not. :-X

[wildman]

{QUOTE-> On-thread- BitDefender-free does its updates fast as greased lightning, & smooth as a baby's posterior. Of course, it's on-demand only-- I mean BD (not the posterior).

Off-thread- No offense, but (IMHO) selecting an AV based primarily on ease of update is sorta like selecting a doctor based on the sweetness of his receptionist. Further deponent sayeth not. :-X <-QUOTE}

:blink: Ah but if the receptionist is sweet and good looking, there is a good chance the doctor's business may very well pick up. Now on the other hand?

Thanks
Wildman

[WSFuser]

{QUOTE-> On-thread- BitDefender-free does its updates fast as greased lightning, & smooth as a baby's posterior. Of course, it's on-demand only-- I mean BD (not the posterior).

Off-thread- No offense, but (IMHO) selecting an AV based primarily on ease of update is sorta like selecting a doctor based on the sweetness of his receptionist. Further deponent sayeth not. :-X <-QUOTE}
the way i look at it, updating ur definitions is necessary for proper protection so the least companies can do is make it easy and fast for people to do.

[Kerodo]

{QUOTE-> the way i look at it, updating ur definitions is necessary for proper protection so the least companies can do is make it easy and fast for people to do. <-QUOTE}
Yep, very true. If you're in the business of providing updates then things ought to work smoothly..

[TAP]

Efficiency update mechanism is *very necessary* if you manage antivirus solution in a large corporate network (extra automatic, smallest/fastest/easiest as possible), in my opinion, any antivirus software can guarantee reliable protection only if it is updated timely, as soon as possible when a signature released.

[Blackcat]

{QUOTE-> No offense, but (IMHO) selecting an AV based primarily on ease of update is sorta like selecting a doctor based on the sweetness of his receptionist. Further deponent sayeth not. :-X <-QUOTE}
If you are restricted to dial-up, then the effectiveness of the update procedure becomes more crucial, particularly Server availability, size of updates and incremental updating.

So for me, AntiVir Classic, despite its high detection rate and negligible effect on system performance, would not be a suitable candidate for any of my computers.