[AntiVir *12.x] .. every two hours ...

[Etal]

I've happily been using previous versions during quite a few years.
Now trying AnitVir *12.x Free, Avira's Anti-Virus Software ..

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what option during the
installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and malware definitions.
Still in the *12.x versions[*1] every two hours the new program
[IPMGUI.exe] is launched and calls home to 'notifier#.avira.com' (#
= 1,2,...).


Personally on a machine i administer, i want to be in charge of
whenever a program should start after the machine have finished booting.
Personally i want to be able to notice when there is communication
out over the network/to the internet. When i don't intentionally use
the network there should be now such communication.
I use anti-malware software to stop exactly that type of behavior.



[#1] Installers used, both exhibiting this behavior;
AntiVir 0012.0.0.855 Free(2011-10-12)
AntiVir 2012.0.0.872 Free(2011-12-15)

 

[FredW]

I've happily been using previous versions during quite a few years.
Now trying AnitVir *12.x Free, Avira's Anti-Virus Software ..

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what option during the
installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and malware definitions.
Still in the *12.x versions[*1] every two hours the new program
[IPMGUI.exe] is launched and calls home to 'notifier#.avira.com' (#
= 1,2,...).

There is nothing in Avira Free Antivirus for you to stop ipmgui.exe.
It is part of sending you "encouragements" to buy the payware version.

I have inserted jobs to update every two hours and
I have blocked ipmgui.exe in my firewall.
Now I get very few "commercials".

And writing this message I blocked avnotify.exe to see if this helps to
stop all commercials (spam).
Last time I did this, Avira wanted to update avnotify because it did not
work anymore.

 

[Bear]

I've happily been using previous versions during quite a few years.
Now trying AnitVir *12.x Free, Avira's Anti-Virus Software ..

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what option during the
installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and malware definitions.
Still in the *12.x versions[*1] every two hours the new program
[IPMGUI.exe] is launched and calls home to 'notifier#.avira.com' (#
= 1,2,...).

There is nothing in Avira Free Antivirus for you to stop ipmgui.exe.
It is part of sending you "encouragements" to buy the payware version.

I have inserted jobs to update every two hours and
I have blocked ipmgui.exe in my firewall.
Now I get very few "commercials".

And writing this message I blocked avnotify.exe to see if this helps to
stop all commercials (spam).
Last time I did this, Avira wanted to update avnotify because it did not
work anymore.

Avast is much better today than Antivir...especially having to put up
with this crap. I used antivir for a short while, but there were better
alternatives than jumping through hoops to stop this crap.

 

[Bear]

I've happily been using previous versions during quite a few years.
Now trying AnitVir *12.x Free, Avira's Anti-Virus Software ..

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what option during the
installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and malware definitions.
Still in the *12.x versions[*1] every two hours the new program
[IPMGUI.exe] is launched and calls home to 'notifier#.avira.com' (#
= 1,2,...).

There is nothing in Avira Free Antivirus for you to stop ipmgui.exe.
It is part of sending you "encouragements" to buy the payware version.

I have inserted jobs to update every two hours and
I have blocked ipmgui.exe in my firewall.
Now I get very few "commercials".

And writing this message I blocked avnotify.exe to see if this helps to
stop all commercials (spam).
Last time I did this, Avira wanted to update avnotify because it did not
work anymore.

Avast is much better today than Antivir...especially having to put up
with this crap. I used antivir for a short while, but there were better
alternatives than jumping through hoops to stop this crap.

I'm actually using PandaCloud beta now.

 

[Etal]

...hrmm.. sorry for the delay in my response

thanks for the responses

I've happily been using previous versions during quite a few
years. Now trying AnitVir *12.x Free, Avira's Anti-Virus
Software ..

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what option
during the installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and malware
definitions. Still in the *12.x versions[*1] every two hours
the new program [IPMGUI.exe] is launched and calls home to
'notifier#.avira.com' (# = 1,2,...).

There is nothing in Avira Free Antivirus for you to stop
ipmgui.exe. It is part of sending you "encouragements" to buy
the payware version.

Ok, it is indeed encouraging me, but perhaps not in the intended
way ... It encourages me to now wonder what i will install or
suggest for acquaintances asking me for help. It encourages me to
take a new look at AVG's, Avast's or other free offering that
might exist today that i haven't needed to bother with for years.

I have inserted jobs to update every two hours and I have
blocked ipmgui.exe in my firewall. Now I get very few
"commercials".

And writing this message I blocked avnotify.exe to see if this
helps to stop all commercials (spam). Last time I did this,
Avira wanted to update avnotify because it did not work
anymore.

I understand that most users will run installed anti-virus
software with letting it auto-update, so they will probably not
notice it calling home independent of the update-process. When i
have installed AntiVir for someone else, i let [AVNotify.exe] run
and says that this annoyance is the /price/ for using it free;
That if they are satisfied with the AntiVir and are rich enough
they should consider buying it.

*but*

Software that calls home even when you haven't auto-updating
enabled and that can't be turned off, that is something i
associate with malware/spyware and something i don't condone.

Having to use a 3rd party solution to stop software from calling
home, then it is probably software that i don't want to have
installed in the first place.

 

[David H. Lipman]

..hrmm.. sorry for the delay in my response

thanks for the responses

I've happily been using previous versions during quite a few
years. Now trying AnitVir *12.x Free, Avira's Anti-Virus
Software ..

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what option
during the installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and malware
definitions. Still in the *12.x versions[*1] every two hours
the new program [IPMGUI.exe] is launched and calls home to
'notifier#.avira.com' (# = 1,2,...).

There is nothing in Avira Free Antivirus for you to stop
ipmgui.exe. It is part of sending you "encouragements" to buy
the payware version.

Ok, it is indeed encouraging me, but perhaps not in the intended way ... It encourages
me to now wonder what i will install or suggest for acquaintances asking me for help. It
encourages me to take a new look at AVG's, Avast's or other free offering that might
exist today that i haven't needed to bother with for years.

I have inserted jobs to update every two hours and I have
blocked ipmgui.exe in my firewall. Now I get very few
"commercials".

And writing this message I blocked avnotify.exe to see if this
helps to stop all commercials (spam). Last time I did this,
Avira wanted to update avnotify because it did not work
anymore.

I understand that most users will run installed anti-virus software with letting it
auto-update, so they will probably not notice it calling home independent of the
update-process. When i have installed AntiVir for someone else, i let [AVNotify.exe] run
and says that this annoyance is the /price/ for using it free; That if they are
satisfied with the AntiVir and are rich enough they should consider buying it.

*but*

Software that calls home even when you haven't auto-updating enabled and that can't be
turned off, that is something i associate with malware/spyware and something i don't
condone.

Having to use a 3rd party solution to stop software from calling home, then it is
probably software that i don't want to have installed in the first place.

Just because a security software communicates with the home server(s) does NOT put it in a
negative light. There is more to keeping a software up-to-date than just signatures.

I think you are overly paranoid but I suggest you install Wireshark and view the packets
for yourself.

Otherwise, I suggest disconnecting the computer from the Internet altogether. Then you
will have no worries at all.

 

[Etal]

Etal wrote:

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what option
during the installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and malware
definitions. Still in the *12.x versions[*1] every two
hours the new program [IPMGUI.exe] is launched and calls
home to 'notifier#.avira.com' (# = 1,2,...).

Just because a security software communicates with the home
server(s) does NOT put it in a negative light. There is more
to keeping a software up-to-date than just signatures.

I'm not interested in keeping this software up to date.
( When i am, i download a new version and install that. )

I think you are overly paranoid ...

... right

... but I suggest you install
Wireshark and view the packets for yourself.

Otherwise, I suggest disconnecting the computer from the
Internet altogether. Then you will have no worries at all.

On one computer, not connected to the net, i *have* installed
AntiVir 12.x, and the software is continually in-vainly banging
its head against the unused Ethernet connector. I am afraid that
eventually the connector will break and the computer-innards will
leak out onto the floor.

 

[David H. Lipman]

Etal wrote:

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what option
during the installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and malware
definitions. Still in the *12.x versions[*1] every two hours the new program
[IPMGUI.exe] is launched and calls
home to 'notifier#.avira.com' (# = 1,2,...).

Just because a security software communicates with the home server(s) does NOT put it
in a negative light. There is more to keeping a software up-to-date than just
signatures.

I'm not interested in keeping this software up to date.
( When i am, i download a new version and install that. )

I think you are overly paranoid ...

.. right

... but I suggest you install Wireshark and view the packets for yourself.

Otherwise, I suggest disconnecting the computer from the Internet altogether. Then you
will have no worries at all.

On one computer, not connected to the net, i *have* installed AntiVir 12.x, and the
software is continually in-vainly banging its head against the unused Ethernet
connector.

Right - sniff the packlets and see what it is exactly that you are worried about.

I am afraid that eventually the connector will break and the computer-innards will
leak out onto the floor.

That's both silly and funny ;-)

 

[Etal]

From: "Etal":

Etal wrote:

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what
option during the installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and
malware definitions. Still in the *12.x versions[*1]
every two hours the new program [IPMGUI.exe] is
launched and calls home to 'notifier#.avira.com' (#
= 1,2,...).

Just because a security software communicates with the
home server(s) does NOT put it in a negative light. There
is more to keeping a software up-to-date than just
signatures.

I'm not interested in keeping this software up to date.
(When i am, i download a new version and install that. )

I should have been more clear here.
I'm not interested in keeping *any* software "up to date",
whatever that means. I install/configure software so that it
works as i want it and then use /as is/ because that is why i
installed it.
I want *any* software i use to behave in a consistent fashion,
unless i intentionally change its settings and_or intentionally
update it, both of which i do, but at my own volition.
This is one reason why i turn off auto-updating in all software.

Right - sniff the packlets and see what it is exactly that you
are worried about.

It's not that i'm particularly worried about what this particular
software transmits. I trust them to help my computers
malware-free. I dislike if any, if all and sundry software on my
machine communicates out onto the internet without me instigating
it. Because if the do, it is harder to detect when something
new/unknown, something bad, starts to do it. Hence another reason
why i turn off all softwares auto-updating themselves.

That's both silly and funny ;-)

I was going for paranoid.

But when i shut down this WinXP computer after posting here
yesterday i for the first time ever got an error message where a
"Proxy Desktop" couldn't close properly .. then i started to
actually go paranoid .. did someone from here break into my box
as a POC that i need to have Anti-Virus auto-updating turned on?

.... Spooky

(I have Folder Options : 'Launch folder windows in a separate
process' enabled, but have had this machine like that for a long
time without it happening before .. at least it didn't happen
again on next shutdown. )

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Etal":

David H. Lipman wrote:

Etal wrote:

What setting in the GUI am i missing, and_or what
option during the installation did i select wrong?

I've shut off all updating, product, engine and
malware definitions. Still in the *12.x versions[*1]
every two hours the new program [IPMGUI.exe] is
launched and calls home to 'notifier#.avira.com' (#
= 1,2,...).

Just because a security software communicates with the
home server(s) does NOT put it in a negative light. There
is more to keeping a software up-to-date than just signatures.

I'm not interested in keeping this software up to date.
(When i am, i download a new version and install that. )

I should have been more clear here.
I'm not interested in keeping *any* software "up to date", whatever that means. I
install/configure software so that it works as i want it and then use /as is/ because
that is why i installed it.
I want *any* software i use to behave in a consistent fashion, unless i intentionally
change its settings and_or intentionally update it, both of which i do, but at my own
volition.
This is one reason why i turn off auto-updating in all software.

Right - sniff the packlets and see what it is exactly that you
are worried about.

It's not that i'm particularly worried about what this particular software transmits. I
trust them to help my computers malware-free. I dislike if any, if all and sundry
software on my machine communicates out onto the internet without me instigating it.
Because if the do, it is harder to detect when something new/unknown, something bad,
starts to do it. Hence another reason why i turn off all softwares auto-updating
themselves.

That's both silly and funny ;-)

I was going for paranoid.

But when i shut down this WinXP computer after posting here yesterday i for the first
time ever got an error message where a "Proxy Desktop" couldn't close properly .. then i
started to actually go paranoid .. did someone from here break into my box as a POC that
i need to have Anti-Virus auto-updating turned on?

... Spooky

(I have Folder Options : 'Launch folder windows in a separate process' enabled, but have
had this machine like that for a long time without it happening before .. at least it
didn't happen again on next shutdown. )

You're killing me. Too bloody phunny ;-)

 

[Bear]

I want *any* software i use to behave in a consistent fashion,
unless i intentionally change its settings and_or intentionally
update it, both of which i do, but at my own volition.
This is one reason why i turn off auto-updating in all software.

One of the golden rules of safe hex is always keep your software patched
and up-to-date. Such statements to not do so should always contain the "do
so at your own risk" warning.

Of course you have the right to your own preferences, but I recommend
always keeping your software updated - and autoupdating is the best and
surest method. If you have a /great/ recovery plan, unwanted surprises are
easily remedied.

 

[FromTheRafters]

Etal wrote:
[...]

But when i shut down this WinXP computer after posting here yesterday i
for the first time ever got an error message where a "Proxy Desktop"
couldn't close properly .. then i started to actually go paranoid .. did
someone from here break into my box as a POC that i need to have
Anti-Virus auto-updating turned on?

Not likely, as this is a textual medium and you have no actual
connection to anyone's computer here. The only way I can think of to
attack you from here is through the content of a post (like a script or
and attached program file) and it would depend upon your reading
software being not up-to-date.

IMO, it is more important to keep your software up-to-date than it is to
keep your AV signatures up-to-date.

 

[Bear]

IMO, it is more important to keep your software up-to-date than it is to
keep your AV signatures up-to-date.

+1

 

[Dustin]

One of the golden rules of safe hex is always keep your software
patched and up-to-date. Such statements to not do so should always
contain the "do so at your own risk" warning.

Your safe hex maybe.. Not mine. Not all software should be updated
willynilly.

 

[Bear]

Your safe hex maybe.. Not mine. Not all software should be updated
willynilly.

I have had a link on my website to:

Safe Hex - Safe Computing Tips
Courtesy of the alt.comp.virus newsgroup participants.
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

for many years.

Security related patches often come with program updates?

--
Bear
http://bearware.info
The real Bear's header path is:
news.sunsite.dk!dotsrc.org!filter.dotsrc.org!news.dotsrc.org!not-for-
mail

 

[Beauregard T. Shagnasty]

I have had a link on my website to:

....hundreds of other sites, but no original material.

Security related patches often come with program updates?

Of course. One would think a person of your vast expertise would know
that.

Is your expertise only half-vast?