Avast Update brings Emergency Updater and SiteCorrect features
Avast, the company behind the popular Avast Free Antivirus (and commercial security offerings) has just released an update that brings the client version to version 7.0.1451. This is the first major update of Avast 7 which has been released earlier this year. The update brings two new features, and several improvements and compatibility enhancements, and is therefor a recommended update for all Avast users.
Emergency Updater is the first new feature that is integrated in all three versions of Avast. It has been designed for situations where the Avast updater is not working properly anymore. In the past, this meant that Avast users to to reinstall the whole program to get the updater to work again. With the Emergency Updater integrated into Avast, it is now possible to push updates even if the default Avast Service is not working anymore.
Avast users who have updated to the new version should see the avast! Emergency Update task in the Windows Task Scheduler. The task is triggered during log on of a user, and once daily, and does not need to be launched manually (even though it may be possible, it is located in C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastEmUpdate.exe). This feature is a useful addition to the program, especially for users who already were in the situation where Avast would not update automatically anymore.
Avast SiteCorrect is the second new feature. It depends on the WebRep browser plugin which needs to be installed and active in the browser for the feature to work at all. You also should make sure that SiteCorrect is enabled in the program's advanced settings menu. It basically checks what you enter in the browser's address bar to make sure that you are opening the correct website.
I tried mispellings and all but could not get the feature to work at all. Maybe it is only working with IDN (internationalized domain names) or is using a database of malicious sites that try to capitalize on this.
As far as compatibility improvements go, Avast's WebRep module is now also available for Opera, and the whole software suite has received compatibility updates for Microsoft's upcoming operating system Windows 8.
Improvements have been made to the sandbox module (only available in commercial Avast editions) and to the SafeZone module (also only in commercial editions).
New users can download Avast Free Antivirus, or a trial version of a commercial alternative, from the official website. Existing users should have received the new update by now.
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My firewall reports that avastemupdate is contacting google.
When I block it, avast updates normally. So I am suspicious that avastemupdate is not about updating avast, but instead about avast earning revenue by offering to install chrome spyware (they call it a browser) on my system.
Very helpful and clarifying, thanks. I too had wondered what this new process AvastEmUdate was.
What part of “MANUAL UPDATE” do they not understand?
Time to ditch avast I think.
After another update, and another Chrome nag screen, Windows became unusable.
I’m now using Ad-Aware Antivirus and so far, and except for their damn nag screen, I like it.
We’ll see.
I have never had a problem with the updater, though I wonder if you can just disable the “task” completely … honestly I trust WOT (though Its not perfect .. even my domain gets a yellow rating) and do not install Avast’s addon. I do agree they should fix the problem instead of adding on more, though If you just have to (assuming you can disable the task) enable it if you have updater issues, that is no problem at all.
Despite this, I am going to try Avast’s new version on my older xp laptop and see how it goes… if it lags, then I will downgrade it… probably will comment back here if it does.
I am testing AVast’s new version on old computer … disabled “site correction” and via Autoruns (from SysInternals) I unchecked the Emergency Update task … at the very least this should disabled the un-wanted tasks (to some users) … while having upgraded to the new version.
Open Autoruns and put a check back in (and reboot I am guessing) to re-enable IF you need it.
I think that should fix some of these concerns about bloat… .though size wise, I do agree it seems to be getting bigger (all antiviruses are) … I do not like the fact Avast keeps trying to push Chrome (I do not use anything Google related if i can help it… I use DuckDuckGo now) on me … If i want Chrome, I will download Chrome … I do not want my anti-virus pushing it on me.
-Xmetalfanx
I don’t see why not.
I saw the AvastEmUpdate.exe (thanks for mentioning it) and I can’t imagine knowing if manually hitting it would work without there being a program update available. I’ll wait and see and hopefully it will if the standard update process fails because I’ve ended the task.
After every reboot, I was getting the prompt to finish installation which I had done the very first time. The prompt was really annoying me and I’m wondering if it is simply to push Chrome which annoys me more. There’s probably more cash to be made aside from just pushing Chrome like receiving payment for successful installs.
Also, avast has “Do not use Chrome as avast! default browser” buried in Settings > Troubleshooting which doesn’t annoy me, it pisses me off. At least it doesn’t hijack settings that I’m aware of. But, I don’t have Chrome installed so I’m not sure.
I’ve used avast for probably 7 or more years and have loved and trusted it, and the support community and staff are awesome, but the past few updates show them straying away from staying simple and trying to expand to something that I’m not liking too much. I’ve tried a lot of others, avast is the best and I’ll stick with it for now but I’ll keep my eye open.
Good points. While I have not tried it yet, I’d say it may even be possible to run the Emergency Updater manually if Avast for whatever reason can’t update anymore.
AVAST is becoming heavier at every new release. It’s enough, I’m switching to another free AV
Ditto.
So now the users have to suffer with more bloat from the Emergency Update task that runs on startup because Avast can’t get their updates to work right? We wouldn’t need this bloat if they got their updater to work as it should in the first place. Shame.
Thanks, was wondering about the Emergency Updater.
Its belt and braces approach is useful but seems an admission of defeat? Would have been better if Avast just fixed the problems they have with the standard updater service, e.g. not needing a reinstall to repair it…
I find WebRep is getting better but still not up to WOT standards.