FAQ, Tips :: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions.

 

Where can I get Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic?

Download the program from the website http://www.free-av.com.

Will I receive a CD of Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic?

The program is only available for download on our website http://www.free-av.com.

Where can I find detailed version information?

Detailed version information is found in the menu item Help :: About AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic... :: Version information of the Control Center.

Which settings should I make for Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic?

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is preconfigured with practical settings after installation. You can adapt these settings, depending on the desired level of security (e.g. heuristic detection or expanding the scan to all file and archive types).

How can I check whether Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is up-to-date?

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is up-to-date when you have the most current virus definition file. This file is usually updated several times a day.

To check whether you have the up-to-date virus definition file:

What is an incremental VDF update (IVDF)?

The Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic supports the so-called ôincremental updateö of the virus definition file. The incremental VDF update (IVDF update) works as follows: daily updates of the VDF file are not downloaded anymore in the form of one large VDF file but in the form of one small, only a few kilobytes big VDF-file (name: antivir3.vdf), which merely contains the newly added virus signatures.

This daily VDF file supplements the weekly VDF (name: antivir2.vdf), the monthly VDF (name: antivir1.vdf) and the so-called basis VDF (name: antivir0.vdf), which is installed by default with every AntiVir program package.

If one of the so-called VDF files reaches a determined size its content is transferred to the next higher VDF file, which has to be downloaded additionally.

An advantage of the incremental VDF process is that the download volume is extremely small. This leads to extremely short download times and costs, also if the download is performed via an Internet modem connection.

What is the difference between on-access scan and on-demand scan?

The on-access scan is carried out automatically by AntiVir Guard. The files on the computer currently being accessed are scanned for viruses and malware (on-access scan).

The on-demand scan is started manually. Specific drives can be scanned for viruses and malware in a targeted way (on-demand scanning).

Are there any problems with using several virus protection programs at the same time?

When using different virus protection programs with the reasoning the more the better, the following rules must be followed:

The parallel installation of scanners with which scans are started manually is usually possible. Under certain circumstances, error messages can arise if an anti-virus program uses unencrypted search strings for detection or has repaired a file only partially.

Is there a firewall in Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic?

Not yet. Such a module is being developed. You can keep yourself informed when this module is available on our homepage or via our customer newsletter.

I want to test my virus protection program to see if it really works. Are there test viruses which will not harm my computer?

The European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (eicar) provides files with test viruses on their website http://www.eicar.org/anti_virus_test_file.htm. These are not real viruses, but rather so-called signatures. These files cannot cause damage to your computer.

This is how Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic should react to the eicar test virus if a default installation with the preset file types was carried out:

ò eicar.com

The bare test virus is detected immediately by AntiVir Guard (if activated). Of course, it is also detected via a direct scan (Right-click the test virus. A pop-up menu opens. Select Scan selected files with AntiVir). Depending on the settings in the options, a warning message enquiring about proceeding further is displayed.

ò eicar.com.txt

Beforehand: To see doubled file extensions, you must activate this in Windows Explorer. This version is not rejected by AntiVir Guard at first, since *.txt files do not contain executable program code and are therefore safe. If the file is renamed eicar.com, AntiVir Guard will react to the file as described above.

The test virus is detected by the direct scan. Processing (see above) is offered.

ò eicar_com.zip

Here is the test virus packed in a Zip archive. Since a Zip archive is not dangerous in and of itself, AntiVir Guard does not react. It first takes action when the archive is unpacked.

The test virus is found in the archive by the direct scan. A message window appears, and informs you that a virus or malware has been found, but cannot be processed in the Zip archive because otherwise the integrity of the archive would be endangered.

ò eicarcom2.zip

Here is the test virus packed in a Zip archive which is itself packed in a Zip archive. These are difficult conditions for a virus scanner. The reactions of AntiVir Guard and the direct scan correspond to those of eicar_com.zip. With the direct scan, the test virus is detected and the message window (see above) appears. AntiVir Guard first reacts with the second, last unpacking, when the eicar.com file is present.

Is a manual scan necessary from time to time?

AntiVir Guard monitors your system constantly (on-access scan). To ensure that you are always protected, check whether AntiVir Guard is active. In addition, we recommend performing a manual scan (direct scan) regularly for better security.