Avira Problems

[opalhort]

Have been using AVAST for a long time without problems but it does slow things down quite a bit.

Uninstalled AVAST and installed the free AVIRA.

AVIRA refused to update (let the update run twice for 30 min - no luck)

Also when AVIRA is on I can no longer click on links in e-mails (hangs OE6), have to copy the link and paste it into IE6.

Have uninstalled AVIRA now and use only AVG for the time being until I can figure out what the problem is.

For now everything is working well.

System: XP SP3 IE6 OE6

Any idea where the problem is?

opalhort

[Supernova]

There seems to be a problem with the AVIRA update servers, at least for users running the free version. I also experience problems updating from time to time. Best to let AVIRA update itself automatically.

[opalhort]

Yes, I guessed this already about the update. AVG has the same issue from time to time.

My main issue is that when I use Avira I can no longer click on links inside an e-mail. Is this because Avira does not allow it or is it because I am still using the good old IE6 and OE6 versions?

opalhort

[Supernova]

I don't use OE6 therefore cannot offer any suggestions... However, not being able to open links embedded in e-mail is strange indeed.

Btw, I can't think of a reason why anyone would still be running IE6... Unless you need it to maintain compatibility with older apps, I suggest upgrading to Internet Explorer 7 or 8.

[webfact]

From time to time they offer large updates (engine updates). Their servers are overloaded and even Aviva admits to it from what I have read.

You can download the update file (usually 29mb) to get the latest updates if automatic update does not work.

Incremental updates (automatic) are not larger than 500kb

Usually this update issue lasts 3-4 days and then it starts workin normal again...

I have Avira update servers include in my hosts file

62.146.66.181 dl1.avgate.net

62.146.66.182 dl2.avgate.net

62.146.66.183 dl3.avgate.net

62.146.66.184 dl4.avgate.net

80.190.143.23 dl5.avgate.net

80.190.143.23 dl6.avgate.net

62.146.66.178 dl7.avgate.net

62.146.66.179 dl8.avgate.net

80.190.143.239 dl9.avgate.net

80.190.143.230 dl10.avgate.net

2 or 3 of them will update the free version. Don't ask me which one...

[opalhort]

Btw, I can't think of a reason why anyone would still be running IE6... Unless you need it to maintain compatibility with older apps, I suggest upgrading to Internet Explorer 7 or 8.

Of course you are correct, but I don't like the look of it (we have PCs that use IE 7). Let's put it this way: it is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.

Seriously: There are problems with using IE7/8 in conjunction with Outlook express. IE8 does not even have OE included anymore. Photos embedded or attached in an e-mail do not show in OE if you have IE8 for example.

So I'm quite happy to stick with IE6 and OE6 for as long as I can.

My PCs are well protected so there is no problem in this regard.

opalhort

[opalhort]

Thanks webfact for the info. I'm sure I can resolve the update issue somehow with the server addresses you've provided.

Right now for me it is more important to find out why I can no longer click on links in e-mails (like TV topic notifications for example) when I have Avira running.

opalhort

[webfact]

an addition regarding Avira update servers.

Its not the solution if their servers are overloaded but it helps

during normal server traffic. I can report my updates have improved with it.

For the moment I ain't able to update automatically and just run a manual update instead.

Note - during weekend Avira does not update often...

[beach]

First of all, use Firefox instead of IE. Secondly I've been using free AVIRA since it exists, never had any problems. Switched to the payed professional version since I think these guys need get supported for their good works.

[lopburi3]

Clicking on links is a serious security issue I believe and has been removed from most readers unless specific action is taken to allow. As OE is not supported there may be no option but to change to another mail reader. Windows Live is the replacement for OE. I use Outlook and have to click on each message to obtain download of photos or links - and that is a supported system. We old dogs die it we do not change. Do you still have a floppy reader?

[opalhort]

Do you still have a floppy reader?

He he, you won't believe it but YES every of our PCs has one and there is a very good reason for it thanks to the Thai Department of Agriculture.

off topic explanation: When we export plants we need documents from them (Kaset), they issue them in .doc or .pdf format and we have to provide a floppy or a USB stick. On the actual day of export the floppy or USB stick has to be given to the inspection station at the airport. Most of the floppies and one USB stick were never returned to us at the airport. On top of that the one time we did try the USB stick we got it back from Kaset HO with a virus included.

So what is better for us? I'd rather lose some floppies than a USB stick.

opalhort

[lopburi3]

They can't play a CD? That seems the media of choice here and dirt cheap so no need for return or virus worry. But maybe they don't have CD player or would be watching movies? Sometimes you just have to shake your head.

[Supernova]

off topic explanation: When we export plants we need documents from them (Kaset), they issue them in .doc or .pdf format and we have to provide a floppy or a USB stick. On the actual day of export the floppy or USB stick has to be given to the inspection station at the airport. Most of the floppies and one USB stick were never returned to us at the airport. On top of that the one time we did try the USB stick we got it back from Kaset HO with a virus included.

9 out of 10 USB sticks I run into are infected with some sort of Autorun/VBS agent.

As a precaution, I disable Autorun and Windows Script Host on all computers I work with.

[opalhort]

Lopburi3, have you ever tried to get a government department burn a CD for you? They wouldn't know how to!

We asked them why they can't e-mail the files to us (never more than 150 KB in total) and were told the rules state that we have to go in person and the only media allowed is floppy or USB stick!.

Well this is Thai bureaucracy.

But I have hijacked my own topic here, so may I ask again if there is any way to get XP + IE6 + OE6 work together with AVIRA?

I know I should upgrade but have no intention of doing so for now.

We are well protected and haven't had an infection for many years (probably famous last words - stay tuned).

Yes we had viruses come knocking at the doors but all were caught before any harm was done.

opalhort

[MJo]

I always considered using very old browsers are security risk even if your virus protection is up to date ? Maybe i'm wrong though.

Any pro's out there in the know ?

[opalhort]

I always considered using very old browsers are security risk even if your virus protection is up to date ? Maybe i'm wrong though.

Any pro's out there in the know ?

Yes you are right. Older browsers carry a higher security risk. But it depends very much on what you do on-line.

For me I think the best virus protection can be found in our head and I use the various security software only as a first line of defence.

Look at links where they will lead you before clicking etc..

This is why I like OE because I can read an e-mail without actually opening it by using the Properties/Details/Message source function and it allows me to read the mail and where all embedded links will lead me to.

opalhort

[Supernova]

@opalhort:

Just out of curiosity, I configured OE6 to send/receive mail...

I don't have any problems opening embedded links in e-mails (with Avira running). Everything is working the way it should.

[MJo]

For me I think the best virus protection can be found in our head and I use the various security software only as a first line of defence.

Spot on ! I only once get my computer infected proper and only can blame myself. After clicking "ok" without thinking i knew right away ti was a mistake and sure enough got a nasty virus that took me good day and half to get rid of.

[Supernova]

I always considered using very old browsers are security risk even if your virus protection is up to date ? Maybe i'm wrong though.

Any pro's out there in the know ?

My answer to this would 'yes' and 'no'. It all depends on the user. Some folks I know just click, click, click, without first checking to see what it is they're opening. And it's these folks that run the greatest risk of being infected by drive-by downloads.

Microsoft still offers updates to IE6, so as long as you're patched up with the latest cumulative security update, you should be fine.

[JohnC]

I recently had a problem updating Avira, tried for about three days, however after running a full scan using avira it updated perfectly???? no idea why but it worked and I never use IE so that shouldn't be a problem.

[lopburi3]

I took Avira off children's computers as was getting too many false positives. Have been using paid Kaspersky since and it seems to run in background and only alarm on fire. As the local cost is so low would not even try a free version (for now - if they take a vacation and become complacent all bets are off).

OE I would be very concerned using these days as it is totally unsupported and probably attractive to virus writers as a lot of people will still be using it. I expected to not like the Windows Live Mail but it actually was the easiest set up of any mail program (have tried most of them) and seems to work well - started using as primary again today after thinking about it and it picked back up without a glitch.

[opalhort]

@opalhort:

Just out of curiosity, I configured OE6 to send/receive mail...

I don't have any problems opening embedded links in e-mails (with Avira running). Everything is working the way it should.

Of course I have configured OE6 the same way.

What security setting have you set in OE6?

Here is my setting:

opalhort

[Supernova]

^ My security settings are the same; identical to the one in your screenshot.

[Supernova]

I took Avira off children's computers as was getting too many false positives. Have been using paid Kaspersky since and it seems to run in background and only alarm on fire. As the local cost is so low would not even try a free version (for now - if they take a vacation and become complacent all bets are off).

False positives can be annoying, but at least I know the software is doing its job...

As a workaround, just add files to the 'Exception' list.

[opalhort]

OK, thanks Supernova.

I'll give it another try tomorrow. Maybe I did something wrong during installation.

opalhort