Problem with AVG 7.5 Virus Definition updates!
February 10, 2007
This morning, I automatically downloaded AVG’s latest virus definitions (5886193 and 6231226) and then spent the rest of my day trying to find out what went wrong. I went to the AVG Free Forum (you have to register to be able to post), and found out that I wasn’t the only one who was having issues.
OK, this is what happened: Right after I downloaded the updates, AVG identified five files on my computer as Virus Found Exploit. The files that were supposedly infected are Excel (.xls) files stored on one of my external hard drives. I use four of the five on a daily basis and I haven’t accessed the fifth one in over three years! I moved the files to the Virus Vault and checked to see what they were and there was no information at all. I checked the forum to see if anyone else was having a problem but didn’t see anything. I scanned the files online with Trend Micro’s Housecall which didn’t find any infection. I restored them to their original locations and decided to try and open them anyway since I know that there’s nothing wrong with any of them. I tried to Ignore the warning but when I did, a box popped up every five minutes to warn me again that I had infected files. I started Excel (I have Office 2003, BTW) and tried to open the file that I use more often. A box popped up asking me if I was sure I wanted to open an infected file and I clicked “YES”…only Excel wouldn’t open the file. I got an Excel error message that the file was corrupted. I tried to move the files to a USB flash disk and was unsuccessful (again, AVG blocked the attempt).
At this point, I uninstalled AVG 7.5 and installed Avast so I could open the files, then went back to the forum and posted my problem, convinced that I was getting a false positive. Here is what one of the volunteers on the forum told me to do:
Upload and scan the “infected” file(s) online at Jotti’s Malware Scan.
If the file appears to be a false positive, archive it using WinZIP, WinRAR, or whatever application you use to create archived (zipped) files. Make sure you password protect the file!
E-Mail the password protected archived file to: virus@grisoft.com and include the password and a description of the file in the body of the e-mail.
I ran the online scan which uses 15 different anti-virus scanners and the only one that detected an infection was AVG. AVG identified the infection as Exploit-Dropper.1Table. I plugged that into my trusty Clusty and discovered that it is a security hole in Microsoft Office that COULD allow a hacker to exploit it for nefarious reasons. It’s not a virus and won’t harm your computer but it COULD five someone else the opportunity to.
I responded to the forum with what Jotti found and dutifully e-mailed the password protected archive to Grisoft. Now, it’s just time to play the waiting game. Remember that the moderators of the Free Forum are volunteers…users just like you who have volunteered their time to help other users with their problems. It’s up to Grisoft to investigate the situation and respond. I was assured that a suspected false positive would be treated as a priority so I’m hoping to hear something soon.
The reason I wanted to post this here is that I’ve used AVG Free for several years and have never had a problem. It’s detected and stopped every legitimate virus I’ve ever been sent via e-mail. It’s easy to use and I’ve always felt very comfortable with the protection it gives my computer. That hasn’t changed. I’m still an AVG fan. Although it seems to have gotten harder to download the Free version now that a Professional version is available, you can still get it at free.grisoft.com. Just make sure you READ THE WHOLE PAGE before you click on download and when an ad for the paid version is the first thing you see, don’t panic and assume that you’re going to have to pay. Just scroll down a bit to the FREE download link.
Once AVG adjusts their definitions, I’ll reinstall it. I like it. I like the forum. Just remember that the forum is for AVG specific issues and does not offer advice on how to use your computer. Just be glad that there are volunteers who are willing to donate their time to help identify problems and help AVG Free users use the application. You can bet I’ll be sharing this information on Views from the Coop On-the-Air this coming Wednesday, February 14, but if you aren’t in the listening area, you’ve already read it here.
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February 14th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
If you’re a Windows user and you’ve been having trouble finding the right place to download AVG Anti-Virus FREE for home users, just follow these instructions:
1) Go to http://free.grisoft.com
Find the file on your PC that you just downloaded and double-click it to begin the installation!
2) Click the link at the top of the page that says “AVG Anti-Virus Free”
3) At the top of the next page, read the four paragraphs that precede a choice of links to “Download free version” and “Download commercial version” so you’ll understand what features are included with each version.
4) If you are a home user and still want the FREE version, click the link to “Download Free Version” underneath the last paragraph (What you do not get)
5) Scroll down to the paragraph entitled “AVG Anti-Virus Free”
6) IMPORTANT: Read all the information regarding installing an update of AVG 7.1 to 7.5
7) Under Windows, click the link to the file name avg75free_441a944.exe and download a copy of the file to your PC in a location that you will remember.
February 16th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I am having the same problem with all my Word files since last night (2/15/07). The virus name and the symptoms are all the same as described above with the excel files, but Word files created years ago with Office 2000 are fine. Only those created opened with 2003 are infected. I don’t know what to do now. Hundreds of files are not openable/copiable. that really made me panicking.
February 16th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
John, go to the AVG website and download the most recent updates. AVG sent me an e-mail and confirmed that the updates from Feb. 10 contained a false positive and assured me that downloading the latest updates would fix the problem.
February 16th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Thank you so much for the info, Paige. I actually updated to the version of 2/15 last night, and am still seeing this. By the way, I am still using version 7.1, which will expire on 2/18. I may just download the new free version of 7.5 and overrie the current one. But I am not sure if this will cause any problem or not.
February 17th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
John, by all means, upgrade to 7.5. Make sure you follow the instructions in my original post. You need to perform a repair installation going from 7.1 to 7.5. Good luck!!!!
March 8th, 2007 at 1:11 am
HI
i just want to download the avg 7.5 virus definition ..but i search the google web page for download the avg latest definition ..so please tell me avg website for download the latest virus definition>
March 8th, 2007 at 7:14 am
AVG 7.5 FREE gives you the option of downloading the latest virus definitions directly from their website. Some people, especially people with dial-up connections, prefer not to enable automatic updates but still want to make sure their virus definition database is updated. If you’re one of those people, you can get the latest updates by going to http://free.grisoft.com and looking at the top, right-hand of the page. You’ll see Latest Update with a link for both virus definition updates and program updates. No matter how you do it, make sure you always have the latest virus definitions installed!
March 9th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Hi Paige,
I too, had issues updating AVG 7.5. I gave up trying, as I got busy. In spite of the problem, I had mine setup for automatic updates. Today, much to my surprise, AVG 7.5 automatic updates kicked in as I was working. Updates were automatically installed and everything’s working like a charm.
I’m guessing AVG had an earful of complaints and decided to do something about it. Sometimes, it pays to be patient.
Kind regards from another fine-feathered friend,
Sparrow
March 10th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Hi Paige:
This is Larry B. I ended up listining to your podcast this morning, while trying to get info on virus information. As I said, I have McAfee now and am not happy with it at all. I have heard you talk about AVG several times and am interested in getting it. Would a person be better in getting the version that you pay for? Also do I need to deleat McAfee? If so, how does one go about compleatly deleating it? I have heard that it is almost impossible to remove all of it.
March 12th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Larry (and everybody else who wants to uninstall another anti-virus program and start using AVG), you DO need to uninstall whatever program you’re currently using. Using more than one anti-virus program or security suite may cause your system to become unstable. Just remember that if you choose to use an anti-virus program as opposed to an internet security suite, you need to have anti-adware/spyware and firewall applications installed, too. My own personal preference is to use standalone programs for each of these utilities instead of a suite that includes all of them.
You should be able to uninstall any program using Windows Add/Remove Programs feature. You can access Add/Remove Programs by clicking on Start>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs. Choose whichever anti-virus program you are using and click on Change/Remove and follow the instructions in the dialog box that appears. This should completely remove the program from your computer.
I have heard from some people, and have had problems myself on a few occasions, with completely uninstalling Norton programs using the Add/Remove Programs feature. In that case, you can use the links below to find instructions on uninstalling Symantec/Norton programs:
How to uninstall Norton AntiVirus 2000/2001/2002 – http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/sunset-c2002kb.nsf/0/a1aaca2a55f88caf85256edd00478d58?OpenDocument
Uninstalling the 2003 or earlier version of Norton Internet Security or Personal Firewall 2003 when Add or Remove Programs does not remove it – http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2001090510510636
You also may want to check and see if the program has its own uninstallation feature. You can find out if it does by right-clicking the program from the Start Menu. The uninstall feature will be listed in the sub-menu if the program has one.
Once you’ve uninstalled your current anti-virus program or internet security suite, read the first comment on this post to find out how to install AVG 7.5 FREE. I’ve used it for a long time and other than the little problem I had in my post, I’ve been really happy with it and have never been plagued by a virus. The biggest difference in the two versions is the level of support you get. A paid subscription gives you access to technical support from Grisoft, the maker. The only support you get for the FREE version is from volunteers. The support I got when my AVG 7.5 found a false positive was very good and very quick but that may not always be the case. As for actual virus detection/protection, both receive the same virus definition updates. If you prefer to use an internet security suite, however, Grisoft does offer one for a paid subscription. I have not had any experience with it but you can check it out at http://www3.grisoft.com/doc/buy/us/crp/0?prd=isw&prdo=isw&lccnt=1&lcpd=12m&rclte=1.
Good luck, Larry, and it was great having you online with us this past weekend on Views from the Coop Online. You’re welcome to join us again sometime.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:16 pm
[...] I am assuming that you are using AVG 7.5. If you haven’t upgraded from 7.1 to 7.5, you will need to do so immediately since Grisoft no longer supports 7.1. You can get upgrade instructions by reading the first comment on the post I did in February about AVG 7.5. [...]