Virus Definition Update frequency

emmjay · 23. Jan 2010, 12:00 AM

I have been using MSE now (on W7) for pretty much a month now. I am not familiar with any other freeware AV as yet, as I am waiting for my Norton subsciption to expire (only 1 month to go). I will be installing Avast 5 when this happens on 2 other PCs and keeping MSE on the third.

I have a question regarding the frequency of the virus definitions updates.

With Norton it happens everytime I connect (basically everyday). For the past 8 days, MSE shows 'definitions are up-to-date' though there has been no download for the past 8 days. Big green tick mark in the icon. This seems strange to me.

I checked out 'help', but there's no specific references to it.

The reason I am asking is because I restarted my PC today and I got a pop up msg from MSE 'defs out of date'. I do not shutdown my W7 everyday, I choose 'sleep' or 'hybernate'. My little brain is telling me that I will only get updates if I restart, but if I am wrong, please set me straight.

I am looking forward to trying out Avast and if it is just Norton that does daily updates then it is best that I get that straight too before I start.

Anupam · 23. Jan 2010, 06:40 AM

Is Windows Update on for your system? MSE gets updated via Windows Updates... so it should be on.

You can make use of this MSE Update Utility, if for some reason, MSE updates are not working.

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows...tivetips-apps/

All antivirus programs update daily, and regularly. Avast does too, without any problems. Avira does it too, but Avira has on and off update problems.

The new version of Avast is working very well, as per the reports. I too have Avast 5 on my system, and its working great. I have been using Avast from quite some years, and never had problems in updating the virus definitions.

deya · 23. Jan 2010, 12:29 PM

The problem you're having with MSE is quite a common one. Mine updates daily without a problem, but on one laptop I sometimes experience the same problem as you have. I've figured out the reason for that and I think it's because the laptop isn't used everyday. So I update it manually once it's running without a hitch.

The thing is, MSE doesn't update as frequently as some other AV's do. For instance, I'm in the UK and I get the updates around 8.00pm.. my time, but the time on the update tab of MSE shows a different time.. maybe Pacific time, I think. But if your computer is off at that time then you miss them. I think they release updates three times a day, I may be wrong here. This shouldn't be an issue because your updates should happen the next time you boot up, but they don't. My definitions are one day old now, as I type this, but I just leave it and it will update on it's own later on. But it shouldn't take eight days to do it automatically. I'm sure it has something to do with using hybernate in your case.

The updates are quite large with MSE to begin with, so it can take a while to download and install them. So, if it's not updating automatically everyday the best thing to do is do it manually, just go to the update tab on MSE and click the update button. It will then search for the latest defs and download and install them, if you've missed a few it will take a while. I make a note of the virus defs version on a piece of paper (how very old fashioned is that ?).. but from that I know when it's updated... and I do check regularly.

There's a whole argument to be had about how often your AV should update, some do it hourly, others several times a day. Microsoft say the way they do their updates isn't a problem, it terms of frequency, so who am I to argue with them... although I know lots of people do think it's an issue.

Bottom line, if it doesn't update auto, then click the button and do it manually if you're worried about your defs being out of date, and if new ones are available then you'll get them.

I think the problem will be addressed in future versions of the program, but it's a pain if it's happening to you, and I've read good reports about the program that Anupam has given the link for. That seems to work for many users, even though MS don't actually officially recommend it.

But if you look here you'll see you're not the only one having the same problem.

You'll still get updates if you switch your machine off and restart... in fact it might even
help your situation regarding hybernate, sleep or whatever.

emmjay · 23. Jan 2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anupam

Is Windows Update on for your system? MSE gets updated via Windows Updates... so it should be on.

Thank you Aupam. I read through the help screens for MSE and I was aware of this, so I have windows update 'on' and have received security updates etc without any problems, however it looks as though MSE is not
making use of it. What a gaping hole this is.

My knees are beginning to wobble. Tnx for the link to the utility. I took a look at it (trusted site, OK to download it?)

emmjay · 23. Jan 2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deya

. But it shouldn't take eight days to do it automatically. I'm sure it has something to do with using hybernate in your case.

But if you look here you'll see you're not the only one having the same problem.

You'll still get updates if you switch your machine off and restart... in fact it might even help your situation regarding hybernate, sleep or whatever.

Deya, I took a look at the link you provided and wow, it is a bit of an issue. It appears that a shut down or restart is the only answer from a MS point of view. I am somewhat hesitant to have to install a 3rd party utility to address this (AVs can be tricky and I don't like messing with them).

Pleased as punch to hear that Avast updates daily and without problems.
Tnx, always so much appreciated.

Anupam · 23. Jan 2010, 05:02 PM

The link I gave is OK, and you can download the utility, and use it. As deya said in his post earlier, there are good reports about the utility. The site offers other similar small useful utilities too.

25. Jan 2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmjay

I have been using MSE now (on W7) for pretty much a month now. I am not familiar with any other freeware AV as yet, as I am waiting for my Norton subsciption to expire (only 1 month to go). I will be installing Avast 5 when this happens on 2 other PCs and keeping MSE on the third.

I have a question regarding the frequency of the virus definitions updates.

With Norton it happens everytime I connect (basically everyday). For the past 8 days, MSE shows 'definitions are up-to-date' though there has been no download for the past 8 days. Big green tick mark in the icon. This seems strange to me.

I checked out 'help', but there's no specific references to it.

The reason I am asking is because I restarted my PC today and I got a pop up msg from MSE 'defs out of date'. I do not shutdown my W7 everyday, I choose 'sleep' or 'hybernate'. My little brain is telling me that I will only get updates if I restart, but if I am wrong, please set me straight.

I am looking forward to trying out Avast and if it is just Norton that does daily updates then it is best that I get that straight too before I start.

emmjay you can use a free 3rd party app called system schedular that will update MSE through the command line whenever you want. I have used it and it works. http://www.splinterware.com/products/wincron.htm

emmjay · 26. Jan 2010, 02:17 PM

Tnx johnnydollar for the link.
This is a replacement for MS scheduler... I assume you have taken this route for purposes other than MSE updates. I would be interested to know more if you don't mind sharing.

26. Jan 2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmjay

Tnx johnnydollar for the link.
This is a replacement for MS scheduler... I assume you have taken this route for purposes other than MSE updates. I would be interested to know more if you don't mind sharing.

I got it just for MSE as a matter of fact. I don't use it anymore because right now I don't need it. I can help you set it up to update it, if that is what you mean. Actually the info you need is in the attached capture in my first post. I think.

emmjay · 26. Jan 2010, 03:59 PM

Tnx, but I don't need help to set it up. I was just interested in why you chose to replace MS Scheduler. However, I am surprised that you took this route just to get MSE updates.

NB: I first posted 3 days ago and in those 3 days MSE has not updated. I had to manually update today. Anupam's utility is looking most appealing right now.

23. Jan 2010, 12:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
emmjay Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 226	Virus Definition Update frequency I have been using MSE now (on W7) for pretty much a month now. I am not familiar with any other freeware AV as yet, as I am waiting for my Norton subsciption to expire (only 1 month to go). I will be installing Avast 5 when this happens on 2 other PCs and keeping MSE on the third. I have a question regarding the frequency of the virus definitions updates. With Norton it happens everytime I connect (basically everyday). For the past 8 days, MSE shows 'definitions are up-to-date' though there has been no download for the past 8 days. Big green tick mark in the icon. This seems strange to me. I checked out 'help', but there's no specific references to it. The reason I am asking is because I restarted my PC today and I got a pop up msg from MSE 'defs out of date'. I do not shutdown my W7 everyday, I choose 'sleep' or 'hybernate'. My little brain is telling me that I will only get updates if I restart, but if I am wrong, please set me straight. I am looking forward to trying out Avast and if it is just Norton that does daily updates then it is best that I get that straight too before I start.

23. Jan 2010, 06:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anupam Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 9,484	Is Windows Update on for your system? MSE gets updated via Windows Updates... so it should be on. You can make use of this MSE Update Utility, if for some reason, MSE updates are not working. http://www.addictivetips.com/windows...tivetips-apps/ All antivirus programs update daily, and regularly. Avast does too, without any problems. Avira does it too, but Avira has on and off update problems. The new version of Avast is working very well, as per the reports. I too have Avast 5 on my system, and its working great. I have been using Avast from quite some years, and never had problems in updating the virus definitions. __________________ Anupam

23. Jan 2010, 05:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Anupam Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 9,484	The link I gave is OK, and you can download the utility, and use it. As deya said in his post earlier, there are good reports about the utility. The site offers other similar small useful utilities too. __________________ Anupam

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23. Jan 2010, 12:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
deya Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 528	The problem you're having with MSE is quite a common one. Mine updates daily without a problem, but on one laptop I sometimes experience the same problem as you have. I've figured out the reason for that and I think it's because the laptop isn't used everyday. So I update it manually once it's running without a hitch. The thing is, MSE doesn't update as frequently as some other AV's do. For instance, I'm in the UK and I get the updates around 8.00pm.. my time, but the time on the update tab of MSE shows a different time.. maybe Pacific time, I think. But if your computer is off at that time then you miss them. I think they release updates three times a day, I may be wrong here. This shouldn't be an issue because your updates should happen the next time you boot up, but they don't. My definitions are one day old now, as I type this, but I just leave it and it will update on it's own later on. But it shouldn't take eight days to do it automatically. I'm sure it has something to do with using hybernate in your case. The updates are quite large with MSE to begin with, so it can take a while to download and install them. So, if it's not updating automatically everyday the best thing to do is do it manually, just go to the update tab on MSE and click the update button. It will then search for the latest defs and download and install them, if you've missed a few it will take a while. I make a note of the virus defs version on a piece of paper (how very old fashioned is that ?).. but from that I know when it's updated... and I do check regularly. There's a whole argument to be had about how often your AV should update, some do it hourly, others several times a day. Microsoft say the way they do their updates isn't a problem, it terms of frequency, so who am I to argue with them... although I know lots of people do think it's an issue. Bottom line, if it doesn't update auto, then click the button and do it manually if you're worried about your defs being out of date, and if new ones are available then you'll get them. I think the problem will be addressed in future versions of the program, but it's a pain if it's happening to you, and I've read good reports about the program that Anupam has given the link for. That seems to work for many users, even though MS don't actually officially recommend it. But if you look here you'll see you're not the only one having the same problem. You'll still get updates if you switch your machine off and restart... in fact it might even help your situation regarding hybernate, sleep or whatever.

26. Jan 2010, 02:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
emmjay Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 226	Tnx johnnydollar for the link. This is a replacement for MS scheduler... I assume you have taken this route for purposes other than MSE updates. I would be interested to know more if you don't mind sharing.

26. Jan 2010, 03:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
emmjay Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 226	Tnx, but I don't need help to set it up. I was just interested in why you chose to replace MS Scheduler. However, I am surprised that you took this route just to get MSE updates. NB: I first posted 3 days ago and in those 3 days MSE has not updated. I had to manually update today. Anupam's utility is looking most appealing right now.