Avira free (13.0.0.2890) refuses to update definitions in Windows 8

[i_hate_toms]

Hello everyone. I have disabled the windows defender from windows 8 control panel, and installed avira free antivirus. It seemed to install and work fine, until this morning.
Now, when i run the updater, it fails.
This is the update log:---



Avira Free Antivirus Updater
Complete product update

Creation time: Friday, January 11, 2013 6:37:45 AM

Operating system:
Windows 8 Pro () [6.2.9200] 64 bit

Product information:
Product version: 13.0.0.2890
Updater: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\update.exe 13.6.14.402
Update resource: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\updaterc.dll 13.4.0.362
Library: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\update.dll 1.0.0.9
Plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\updext.dll 13.6.0.402
GUI: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\updgui.dll 13.6.3.402

Temp Directory: C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\
Backup folder: C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\BACKUP\
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\
Updater folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\
AppData folder: C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\

Connection settings:
- Connection type: Web server
- Transfer type: Existing connection
Proxy settings: System settings used

6:37:46 [UPD] [INFO] Checking whether newer files are available.
6:37:47 [UPD] [INFO] Select update server 'http://80.190.148.75/update'.
6:37:47 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/master.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
6:37:49 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/wks_avira13-win32-en-pecl.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\wks_avira13-win32-en-pecl.idx'.
6:37:50 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/wks_avira13-win32-en-pecl.info.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\wks_avira13-win32-en-pecl.info.gz'.
6:37:52 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/vdf.info.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\vdf.info.gz'.
6:37:53 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/rdf-common-int.info.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\rdf-common-int.info.gz'.
6:37:54 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/ave2-win32-int.info.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\ave2-win32-int.info.gz'.
6:37:55 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/wks_avira13-win32-en-pecl-info.info.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\wks_avira13-win32-en-pecl-info.info.gz'.
6:37:56 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/peclkey-common-int.info.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\peclkey-common-int.info.gz'.
6:37:57 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/scanner13-win32-int.info.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\scanner13-win32-int.info.gz'.
6:37:58 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/idx/localdecider-win32-int.info.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\localdecider-win32-int.info.gz'.
6:37:59 [UPD] [INFO] Compare local files with status of update server
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module SELFUPDATE:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module WEBCAT:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module VDF:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase016.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.84 < 7.11.56.145
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase017.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.85 < 7.11.56.146
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase018.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.86 < 7.11.56.147
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase019.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.87 < 7.11.56.148
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase020.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.88 < 7.11.56.149
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase021.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.89 < 7.11.56.150
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase022.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.90 < 7.11.56.151
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase023.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.91 < 7.11.56.152
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase024.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.92 < 7.11.56.153
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase025.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.93 < 7.11.56.154
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase026.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.94 < 7.11.56.155
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase027.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.95 < 7.11.56.156
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase028.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.96 < 7.11.56.157
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase029.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.97 < 7.11.56.158
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase030.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.98 < 7.11.56.159
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/vbase031.vdf' (local, server): 7.11.56.138 < 7.11.56.196
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'n_vdf/aevdf.dat' (local, server): 7.11.56.138 < 7.11.56.196
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module RDF:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module AVE2:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'ave2/win32/int/aegen.dll' (local, server): 8.1.6.12 < 8.1.6.14
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'ave2/win32/int/aeheur.dll' (local, server): 8.1.4.172 < 8.1.4.174
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'ave2/win32/int/aerdl.dll' (local, server): 8.2.0.74 < 8.2.0.88
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'ave2/win32/int/aescript.dll' (local, server): 8.1.4.78 < 8.1.4.80
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'ave2/win32/int/aeexp.dll' (local, server): 8.3.0.4 < 8.3.0.6
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File 'ave2/win32/int/aeset.dat' (local, server): 8.2.10.226 < 8.2.10.228
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module ANTISPAM:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module MAIN:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/64bitProxy.exe'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/ApnIC.dll' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/ApnStub.exe' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/ApnToolbarInstaller.exe' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/AppRemover_64.exe'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/AppRemover_API.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/AppRemover_CLI.exe'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/AppRemover_EULA.txt'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/AppRemover_Excluded.txt'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/AVManagerUnified.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/AVSDKList.zip'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/doSilent.txt'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/efc.dat'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/filelist.ini'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/Impl_AntiphishingLib.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/Impl_AntivirusLib.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/Impl_FirewallLib.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/Impl_SoftwareProductLib.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/insthlp.exe'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/license.dat'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/ManualUninstallConfig.zip'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/Microsoft.VC80.CRT.manifest'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/msvcp80.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/msvcr80.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/OESISCore.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/pinfo.dat'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/pmap.dat'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/presetup.exe'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/ProductReleaseNotes.zip'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/QATestedProducts.zip'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/en-us/quicksysscan.avp' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/scpt.dat'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/tables.dat'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/thorwac.dll'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/en-us/toolbar_eula.txt' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/vcredist_x86.exe'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/vmap.dat'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module COMMAPPDATA_EVENTDB:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module COMMAPPDATA:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module COMMAPPDATA_AV:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/addr_file.html' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module COMMAPP:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/en-us/produpd.avj' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/en-us/scanjob.avj' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/en-us/startupd.avj' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/en-us/updjob.avj' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module COMMAPDATA_AV_PROFILES:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] File'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/en-us/folder.avp' is already installed and is not being updated.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module TEXT:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] The IGNORE flag is set for the file 'wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/en-us/eula.txt'. The file will therefore not be taken into account.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module DRV:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module PRODINFO:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module SYS32:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module PECLKEY:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module SCANNER:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Checking module LOCALDECIDER:
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\BACKUP\' requires 7481699 bytes of free disk space.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\' requires 15216310 bytes of free disk space.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\' requires 7608155 bytes of free disk space.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Disk space OK.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Drive: C:\, free capacity: 7297728512 bytes.
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] New files are being downloaded...
6:38:00 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase016.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase016.vdf.gz'.
6:38:12 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase017.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase017.vdf.gz'.
6:38:14 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase018.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase018.vdf.gz'.
6:38:15 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase019.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase019.vdf.gz'.
6:38:16 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase020.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase020.vdf.gz'.
6:38:18 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase021.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase021.vdf.gz'.
6:38:19 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase022.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase022.vdf.gz'.
6:38:20 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase023.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase023.vdf.gz'.
6:38:21 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase024.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase024.vdf.gz'.
6:38:22 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase025.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase025.vdf.gz'.
6:38:23 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase026.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase026.vdf.gz'.
6:38:25 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase027.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase027.vdf.gz'.
6:38:26 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase028.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase028.vdf.gz'.
6:38:27 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase029.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase029.vdf.gz'.
6:38:28 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase030.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase030.vdf.gz'.
6:38:29 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/vbase031.vdf.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\vbase031.vdf.gz'.
6:38:35 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/n_vdf/aevdf.dat.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\n_vdf\aevdf.dat.gz'.
6:38:36 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/ave2/win32/int/aegen.dll.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\ave2\win32\int\aegen.dll.gz'.
6:38:49 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/ave2/win32/int/aeheur.dll.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\ave2\win32\int\aeheur.dll.gz'.
6:41:34 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/ave2/win32/int/aerdl.dll.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\ave2\win32\int\aerdl.dll.gz'.
6:42:04 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/ave2/win32/int/aescript.dll.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\ave2\win32\int\aescript.dll.gz'.
6:42:20 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/ave2/win32/int/aeexp.dll.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\ave2\win32\int\aeexp.dll.gz'.
6:42:27 [UPD] [INFO] Downloading of 'http://80.190.148.75/update/ave2/win32/int/aeset.dat.gz' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\ave2\win32\int\aeset.dat.gz'.
6:42:28 [UPD] [INFO] The program is running as an unrestricted full version.
6:42:28 [UPD] [INFO] Starting engine validation.
6:42:38 [UPD] [ERROR] Validation of engine failed. Error: 10006


Summary:
********
23 Files downloaded
0 Files installed

Friday, January 11, 2013 6:42:38 AM

The update failed!



the only relevant thing i found in google was http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=151136

Not much of a help though.
What do i do now? is there a workaround or something to get it updated?
Or do i need to give up avira for the time being and try something else?
Please advice.
Thanks for reading

 

[salvage-this]

I didn't see a fix but Windows Defender in Windows 8 now includes Microsoft Security Essentials. I would just use that.

 

[i_hate_toms]

removed avira for good

I didn't see a fix but Windows Defender in Windows 8 now includes Microsoft Security Essentials. I would just use that.

thanks for ur reply bro.
removed avira and using windows defender now.
but i won't use it permanently. not saying it's bad, i just don't want to use a microsoft branded security suite or a google branded web browser (personal choice, again not saying chrome is bad, but i would never install it on any of my computers).
is avast free compatible with windows 8? is AVG free compatible?
If both are, which one do u recommend out of these two?
Thanks again

 

[salvage-this]

I would either use Microsoft Security Essentials or Avast. Personally I use MSE with my Windows 7 PC.

 

[i_hate_toms]

This post makes me re-think about windows defender. Please take a look.

I would either use Microsoft Security Essentials or Avast. Personally I use MSE with my Windows 7 PC.

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply salvage, really appreciated
Didn't install MSE on any of my computers, but i still thought MSE was a good choice light weight "fit it and forget it" kind of a security suite. I also happen to be a member of CNET, and i just came across this link in one of their forums.
What do you guys think?
http://www.techspot.com/news/50945-...ls-bombs-tests-loses-av-test-certificate.html

 

[i_hate_toms]

JohnB, bro, what do u say? should I go for Avast? Is the latest Avast (free) really compatible with Windows 8? Or will it behave unexpectedly, like comodo and avira are doing?? i have already downloaded the installer of avast, but i'm not sure if i should install it. need some expert advice. Till now, except for Zone alarm firewall which you helped me download on the other thread (a big 'thank you' for that), every time i install a security app, my Windows 8 starts acting weird. It starts working great the moment i uninstall the 3rd party antivirus and switch back to windows defender.. isn't there a free 100% compatible AV solution for the Windows 8 platform yet?? Thanks!

 

[salvage-this]

Avast is compatible with Windows 8
http://www.avast.com/pr-first-free-antivirus-certified-for-windows-8-avast

Since you are having problems with AV systems when one is already built into Windows 8 try installing Avast Free and then make sure that all of the live scanning tools in Windows Defender are disabled.

 

[StrangleHold]

I've run Avira and Avast on 8 without any problems. Dont know what would be giving you the trouble your having. Have run AVG, but not a big fan of it anymore. Not 100% sure, but as far as I can remember Defender isnt nothing but a antispyware program, not a antivirus. You can download the latest definitions from Avira and install them manually.

 

[i_hate_toms]

I've run Avira and Avast on 8 without any problems.

Thanks Strangle ,
Well, i've tried both, and every time, my Windows 8 breaks the moment i install em. Don't know why. This is what happens:-

1>My laptop has a fingerprint reader, let's me log in by swiping my finger, no need to type the password. The moment I install Avast, it stops working. On the login screen, it says "Warning: Fingerprint reader not detected, you must log on with your password." I uninstall Avast, and the fingerprint reader starts working again!.

2>Avira looks good, but it won't update. It downloads all the update files, and then quits saying some "engine verification" failed, 30 files downloaded, and zero files installed.

Bad luck I guess, or maybe I'm doing something wrong--can't figure what. Right now, i have windows defender and comodo firewall... Windows defender works great, but comodo has issues, i mentioned it on another post here in this forum. I tried zone alarm firewall, which seems to work, but i didn't find a place to set up firewall rules for installed applications -- if i disable other components and just keep the firewall it keeps nagging me with "your computer is not secure", has got unnecessary bells and whistles, i just need a firewall, not something which warns me while launching applications like "this software ain't trusted". I launch an application cause i trust it. It appears like zone alarm developers wrote this software thinking end users are complete idiots who don't know anything about computers and networks, and to add cherry on the cake, the interface looks excessively dumbed down, as if i am using a cell phone app, not a computer program. i hate dumbed down interfaces.
Manually updating Avira every day is a real pain, and i'm not even sure it that'll work..
Maybe I will keep using windows defender until Avira starts officially supporting Windows 8. Does Avira update properly on your computer? Can you figure why it won't update on mine? Writing to avira didn't help. The reply i got is "Avira does not support windows 8. We will email you when we start officially supporting Windows 8."
I have Windows updates enabled, and Defender automatically updates using windows updates. So in my case, the only thing that works properly, is Windows defender.

PS: If I click "Help" in Windows Defender, i see this:-"Windows Defender helps protect your PC against malware (malicious software) like viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software".. So I guess ms integrated Windows 7's MSE to Windows 8's defender... not sure though

 

[StrangleHold]

I know with Avira and 8 you need verision 2013 13.00.2890, which seems like you did. I never had a problem with it updating. I know they still have some issues, but it was not with updating or proctection. It was more of a issue with certification level. But after version 13.0.0.2761 it was suppost to be.

From Avira (As far as we could test, our software provides the protection it was designed for, it
can update properly so that the latest virus signatures and engine are reliably deli-vered and inform the user about the issues encountered. However, users face dif-ferent problems regarding integration into the Win 8 Application Center or stability.)

So it seems like any problem it had was with windows action center.

 

[i_hate_toms]

So it seems like any problem it had was with windows action center.

Thanks Strangle
I too read that, avira support emailed me a link to this pdf file, and this was the exact thing written in there as well, but on the contrary, action center seemed to have no real problems with avira, it detected avira and said the computer is protected by avira. It was Avira itself that refused to update, i pasted the error log too..Do u think i should try Avira once again? I still have the setup file, i can give it another shot.

 

[i_hate_toms]

Read somewhere that Windows Defender/ MSE failed an independent AV test, twice, back to back.
Disabled it and installed Avira again, the same version i previously had (13.0.0.2890).
Strangely, it now updates fine!
No more engine verification errors!
Issue Resolved!!

 

[i_hate_toms]

it's back again

I got the exact same error again, "engine verification error, update failed".
Uninstalled Avira, restarted computer, re-installed avira, and no more errors, it updates fine.
What am i doing wrong?
It keeps dying every 3-4 days, reinstall and it works fine for the next few days but dies again.
Someone, please help me

 

[salvage-this]

I installed Windows 8 in a VM to try it out. I downloaded the newest version and installed it while accepting all defaults except for the browser add on. It updates and runs fine. I'll keep an eye on it and see if anything changes.

 

[StrangleHold]

Have you tried like above and unchecked the browser add on?

 

[i_hate_toms]

yea bro, use it for 7 days, it'll stop working, at least it does on my computer.
Keep using it for 7 days, once a big update is available, about 3MB in size, it will say "engine verification failed" while updating.
I switched back to windows defender...
didn't install the web protection thing, i really hate toolbars in my firefox..
If you find a solution, please let me know. Avira support just says "we don't support Windows 8 yet", not very helpful.
Thanks for reading and replying bro, highly appreciated..

 

[i_hate_toms]

For the time being, i disabled windows defender and windows firewall, and installed the free comodo internet security thing. its got an antivirus, and a firewall combined. And a very irritating HIPS, which i disabled. Is comodo any good? Thanks.