Update

The latest virus definitions are the core of your antivirus protection. Click Update in the Virus Definitions section to ensure you have the most recent virus definitions.

You can also review virus definitions details:

• Current version: displays the currently installed version number.
• Release date: shows when the currently installed version was released.
• Connection: shows the connection status. The Connection established status ensures that updates can be downloaded.
• Last update received: displays the date when the last update was installed on your PC. It also informs you when a new update is available or shows you other instructions to keep your virus definitions up to date.

Click the down arrow to expand the Settings panel and tick your preferred option:

• Automatic update (enabled by default): updates are downloaded and installed automatically on a regular basis. No actions are required from you.
• Ask when an update is available: notifies you when an update is available. Your confirmation is required to complete the update.
• Manual update (not recommended): updates are not automatically installed and you are not notified when a new update is available. To update virus definitions manually, you need to click Update.
• Enable steaming updates (enabled by default): downloads micro-updates continuously as new malware is discovered.

If necessary, you can manually download virus definition updates from the Avast website.

Updates to the program version provide bug fixes and general program improvements. Click Update in the Program section to update your program to the most recent version.

You can also review your program details:

• Current version: displays the currently installed version number.
• Release date: shows when the currently installed version was released. It also informs you when a new update is available or shows you other instructions to keep your program up to date.

Click the down arrow to expand the Settings panel and tick your preferred option:

• Automatic update (enabled by default): updates are downloaded and installed automatically on a regular basis. No actions are required from you.
• Ask when update is downloaded: notifies you when updates are downloaded. Your confirmation is required to complete the update.
• Ask when an update is available: notifies you when updates are available (before downloading). To receive the update, you need to start the download and installation process manually.
• Manual update (not recommended): updates are not automatically installed and you are not notified when a new update is available. To update program manually, you need to click Update.

The Details section allows you to select your internet connection method and set how frequently Avast checks for updates. Click the down arrow next to Details to expand the panel.

• I only connect to the internet using a dial-up modem: tick this option if you access the internet by dialing a telephone number on a conventional telephone line. This setting prevents auto-dialing for auto-updates. The update will be delayed until the next time you connect to the internet.
• Auto-update: type a number into the text box to indicate how often (in minutes) you want to receive updates. The default setting is 240 minutes. This setting is for regular virus definitions updates only and does not relate to streaming updates. If the Enable streaming updates option is ticked in the Virus Definitions section, micro-updates are provided continuously.
• Show notification box if an error occurs (enabled by default): sends you a notification if the update was not successful.

The Proxy Settings section is for users who connect to the internet through a proxy server. This section allows you to adjust your proxy settings to avoid issues with downloading virus definitions and program updates. Click the arrow next to Proxy Settings to expand the panel.

Note: If you connect directly to the internet, you can ignore this section as the Direct connection (no proxy) option is ticked by default.

To adjust proxy settings, select Specify proxy server and type the proxy details:

• Type: select HTTP or SOCKS4.
• Address: type the address of your proxy server.
• Port: type the port your proxy server uses.
• Authentication type: if the proxy server requires authentication, specify the type and enter the Username and Password.

If you do not know your proxy details, contact your network administrator or your internet service provider (ISP).