Avast! Emergency Update

  • Thread starter Thread starter BillW50
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B

BillW50

Having so many computers, I have different versions of Avast (free),
mainly 7, 8, and 9. I used to always update to the latest program
version (not to be confused with engine and virus definitions which I
always update). But I noticed that the newer program versions have extra
protection for computer noobs which interfere with experienced users.

And Avast has out of the blue has upgraded to the latest program version
without my permission. Since I rarely reboot my machines, sometimes when
I do Avast will pop up saying installing Avast to the latest program
version. And I like to walk away from my computers if I reboot and get
some coffee or something. Of course, if Avast is updating the program it
pops up a window asking if it is ok to install Google Toolbar and Google
Chrome. The problem is, if you are not there, it will pick it is ok on
its own after xx amount of minutes. Damn them, I hate Google anything!

Anyway today on this machine AnVir Task Manager, warned me that Avast!
Emergency Update wants to run in startup. I know what it is suppose to
do, as it is suppose to override the regular updater (just in case it
gets corrupted or infected). And while I have seen this before, I think
this is how Avast sneaks the latest program version on some of my
computers. Although I wouldn't know for sure until I rebooted, which
could be months from now. Then I would have forgotten that I allowed
this service to run. So this time I blocked it with AnVir. Does anybody
know more about this than I do?
 
Must. Not. Take. The. Bait!
Click to expand...

I was going to say LOL, but then I realized I'd possibly be helping to
start a long, maybe inflammable, subthread.

So I decided not to reply.
 
Gene E. Bloch said:
I was going to say LOL, but then I realized I'd possibly be helping to
start a long, maybe inflammable, subthread.

So I decided not to reply.
Click to expand...
You remind me of a saying of my Mum's - "I can hear you saying nothing.
Loudly."
 
I was going to say LOL, but then I realized I'd possibly be helping to
start a long, maybe inflammable, subthread.

So I decided not to reply.
Click to expand...

See what you two clowns Char and Blue did? Somebody was going to say
something intelligent and you discouraged them. So what are you two good
for anyway?
 
And Avast has out of the blue has upgraded to the latest program
version without my permission.
Click to expand...

The very first thing I do when I install Avast (and most other
programs) is go to its settings and turn off any automatic update
feature. Avast has never updated itself without my asking it to.
 
BillW50 said:
Having so many computers, I have different versions of
Avast (free), mainly 7, 8, and 9. I used to always update
to the latest program version (not to be confused with
engine and virus definitions which I always update). But
I noticed that the newer program versions have extra
protection for computer noobs which interfere with
experienced users.
And Avast has out of the blue has upgraded to the latest
program version without my permission. Since I rarely
reboot my machines, sometimes when I do Avast will pop up
saying installing Avast to the latest program version.
And I like to walk away from my computers if I reboot and
get some coffee or something. Of course, if Avast is
updating the program it pops up a window asking if it is
ok to install Google Toolbar and Google Chrome. The
problem is, if you are not there, it will pick it is ok
on its own after xx amount of minutes. Damn them, I hate
Google anything!
Anyway today on this machine AnVir Task Manager, warned
me that Avast! Emergency Update wants to run in startup.
I know what it is suppose to do, as it is suppose to
override the regular updater (just in case it gets
corrupted or infected). And while I have seen this
before, I think this is how Avast sneaks the latest
program version on some of my computers. Although I
wouldn't know for sure until I rebooted, which could be
months from now. Then I would have forgotten that I
allowed this service to run. So this time I blocked it
with AnVir. Does anybody know more about this than I do?
Click to expand...

No, not really. I just know that avast! updayed itself to the latest
program version a month or so ago despite the fact that ALL updates are set
to manual.

I wrote to avast!, this was their reply on 12/27/2013...

"There must have been a server issue which has resulted in forcing the
avast! software upgrade on your machine.

It of course shouldn't be happening at all and we are sorry for the
inconvenience caused.

It is enough to keep program updates on manual so that avast! wouldn't
update itself (Settings > Update > PROGRAM > Settings > Manual update)"

Yeah, right..."server issue". Anybody want to buy a bridge?


--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net
 
The very first thing I do when I install Avast (and most other
programs) is go to its settings and turn off any automatic update
feature. Avast has never updated itself without my asking it to.
Click to expand...

I too have program updates turned off. But I have 30+ machines and Avast
managed to sneak about two of them to be forced to the latest program
version. I suspect that maybe it is this "Avast! Emergency Update" is
the one that is forcing it. I rarely ever see this "Avast! Emergency
Update" to ever try to load up on boot. So this time I blocked it.
Currently this machine has Avast v8 and the latest one is at v9. I don't
think I ever saw "Avast! Emergency Update" pop up with v7 yet.
 
No, not really. I just know that avast! updayed itself to the
latest program version a month or so ago despite the fact that ALL
updates are set to manual.
Click to expand...

Really!?! It wasn't universal - it didn't happen to me. I updated
manually several days after the update became available.
 
See what you two clowns Char and Blue did? Somebody was going to say
something intelligent and you discouraged them. So what are you two
good for anyway?
Click to expand...

As Char said...
 
No, not really. I just know that avast! updayed itself to the latest
program version a month or so ago despite the fact that ALL updates are set
to manual.

I wrote to avast!, this was their reply on 12/27/2013...

"There must have been a server issue which has resulted in forcing the
avast! software upgrade on your machine.

It of course shouldn't be happening at all and we are sorry for the
inconvenience caused.

It is enough to keep program updates on manual so that avast! wouldn't
update itself (Settings > Update > PROGRAM > Settings > Manual update)"

Yeah, right..."server issue". Anybody want to buy a bridge?
Click to expand...

Wow! I have seen it automatically update the program (when it was
toggled off) on like two of my 30+ computers (so far it is pretty rare).
It must have been done in the background and it doesn't tell you
anything. Only rebooting did I see it was already downloaded and then
installed during boot.

I don't like it when it updates the program (sometimes without your
knowledge) and you walk away when booting or rebooting and then that
window pops up asking if you want Google Toolbar and Google Chrome
installed. If you are not there, of course you are not going to click
anything. You would think you are still safe until you get back. But no,
if you are not there it times out in something like 5 minutes and
automatically assumes it is ok. Then it installs that crap.
 
Having so many computers, I have different versions of Avast (free),
mainly 7, 8, and 9. I used to always update to the latest program
version (not to be confused with engine and virus definitions which I
always update). But I noticed that the newer program versions have extra
protection for computer noobs which interfere with experienced users.

And Avast has out of the blue has upgraded to the latest program version
without my permission. Since I rarely reboot my machines, sometimes when
I do Avast will pop up saying installing Avast to the latest program
version. And I like to walk away from my computers if I reboot and get
some coffee or something. Of course, if Avast is updating the program it
pops up a window asking if it is ok to install Google Toolbar and Google
Chrome. The problem is, if you are not there, it will pick it is ok on
its own after xx amount of minutes. Damn them, I hate Google anything!

Anyway today on this machine AnVir Task Manager, warned me that Avast!
Emergency Update wants to run in startup. I know what it is suppose to
do, as it is suppose to override the regular updater (just in case it
gets corrupted or infected). And while I have seen this before, I think
this is how Avast sneaks the latest program version on some of my
computers. Although I wouldn't know for sure until I rebooted, which
could be months from now. Then I would have forgotten that I allowed
this service to run. So this time I blocked it with AnVir. Does anybody
know more about this than I do?
Click to expand...

Bill, leaving beside the question of it updating with/without permission,
I wonder why it's called and "Emergency Update", which in and of itself
is not normal, AFAIK.

I don't remember seeing the word "Emergency" used in the update popup as
far as I remember.



--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.8.5
Firefox 24.0
Thunderbird 24.0
 
Bill, leaving beside the question of it updating with/without permission,
I wonder why it's called and "Emergency Update", which in and of itself
is not normal, AFAIK.

I don't remember seeing the word "Emergency" used in the update popup as
far as I remember.
Click to expand...

Out of 30+ machines here, it is really rare for this to want to run at
boot. It is suppose to be a second method of updating (according to
searches on this) and takes charge in case the regular method ever fails
for some reason.

If it ever happens, it would do it in the background and most people
wouldn't have a clue. Although I use AnVir and it looks for this stuff
and asks if I want to block it or not. So otherwise I won't know either.

I haven't proved this theory or anything, but I think they force it on a
small percentage and it bypasses whatever your setting are and
automatically updates everything without your permission. As it happened
on about two of my machines already. So now I am very suspicious.

I am in a perfect position right now to test this theory as I have
"Avast! Emergency Update" temporary blocked from running on boot. All I
have to do is to make a backup of this machine, release "Avast!
Emergency Update" and see what it does. I am guessing after a reboot, it
ignores all preferences and downloads the latest program and waits until
the next time you reboot and then it install it.

I only reason I believe this because I have seen this wanting to run at
boot on like two of my other machines. Then I said fine and I don't
recall which machines I allowed this on. And I rarely ever reboot any of
my machines so that makes remembering worse. But about two of them also
automatically installed the latest version on boot. Hmmm... so now I am
thinking maybe it is this "Avast! Emergency Update" thing.

The file name is a long hex name with dashes and looks something like a
key + .exe. Something like 12345-6789-abcde-f12345.exe. Although if you
check the properties description that is where you get the "Avast!
Emergency Update" label.
 
"BillW50" wrote in message news:[email protected]...
And here I thought you were the intelligent one out of the bunch. :-O
Click to expand...
Try using WinPatrol (free version) and it will notify you when Avast tries
the Emergency bit and you can just deny it.
I have my free Avast Program Update set to "Ask when an update is
available" and WinPatrol alerted me when Avast tried to do the Emergency
Update bit.
However, I do have my Virus Definitions set to automatic update.
 
Char Jackson said:
30+ machines, you say? I should make a note of that because you so rarely
mention it.

Have you ever been diagnosed with SPS? You show signs...
Click to expand...
I was wondering why 30+; are you in the maintenance or retail business
or something? I often think I've got too many computers (meaning Windows
PCs) here, but only four are in anything like frequent use, and I don't
think the total even including possibly non-working ones would reach 15.

(What does the SP stand for?)
 
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