*WARNING* Avira Antivir update installs a massive memory leak bug to your PC!

EDIT: Thread Summary

The memory leak bug is a result of a product update to version 10.0.0.607 and affects Windows XP only. It does not affect Windows 7 or Vista.

One of the solutions is to install the previous Avira AntiVir Personal version 10.0.0.567 then *ABORT any update process when it automatically pops up!* then

> Configuration (Right middle part of the window) > CHECK: Expert mode (upper left) > Update > Product Update > Do not download product updates. [This option is only for Avira Antivir product updates (Antivirus definitions will still be downloaded automatically.) Product updates should be downloaded manually by going to Update > Start product update... because they may affect the Windows operating system. They should preferably be downloaded only *after* imaging the operating system partition so that if they cause problems you can reimage back to the state before product updates were installed.]


The problem is - only the bug ridden new version is now available on the official web site and so you would have to find the old version elsewhere.


Avira has released an update that is supposed to fix the problem (Avira > Update > Start Product Update) but there are conflicting reports as to whether the update fixes the memory leak on all Windows XP systems.

Staying with v10.0.0.567 and only installing antivirus (and not product) updates is the only sure way to avoid memory leaks on Windows XP.





http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=123713

Did uninstalling Avira get rid of the memory leak.

Yes.

did they ever get back to you on a fix without uninstalling?

I *just* posted this. I was waiting to confirm it but found another person on their forum posting about it - and so that was double confirmation. This bug does not affect Windows 7 - only Windows XP. There is no fix other then to disable product updates on Avira version on which the fiasco update was not yet installed.

ppl still use xp?

i would confirm, but alas i see no point to antivirus... i know what im downloading.

That is pretty bad tho that they would have this big ole update that wasnt obviously tested enough to make sure it worked.

nd4spdbh2 said:

i would confirm, but alas i see no point to antivirus... i know what im downloading.

Click to expand...

...how about the transparent information that java applets download when you visit websites with java applet information required? That's the entire reason I have antivirus. I don't know what some of those sites are putting into their java code. Do you?

Or poisoned links without JavaScript. AV=free insurance why not use it?

Avira is very popular. It is free and in tests conducted here at overclockers, its definitions consistently beat most (if not all) pay-for antivirus software.

I contacted the Inquirer, which other computer news sites are big enough to follow up on this and let Windows XP users know why their PC is acting up in the last month?



Here is more proof
http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=122767
http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=123059

DreamerBrian said:

...how about the transparent information that java applets download when you visit websites with java applet information required? That's the entire reason I have antivirus. I don't know what some of those sites are putting into their java code. Do you?

Click to expand...

This is how a lot of them get spread around IMO. That's why I browse with noscript for firefox.

A minor blemish in an otherwise...

(Yikes!)

what if you look at this from the other side...what if avira is working perfectly fine but windows xp has the bug...and the way to get rid of it is to upgrade to 7? heh.

DreamerBrian said:

...how about the transparent information that java applets download when you visit websites with java applet information required? That's the entire reason I have antivirus. I don't know what some of those sites are putting into their java code. Do you?

Click to expand...

i stay away from such crazy sites haha.

nd4spdbh2 said:

i stay away from such crazy sites haha.

Click to expand...

You mean sites like Yahoo!, Google and the New York Times?

Given that XP has < 2 years until end of service life, I tend to agree with splat. Time to move on.

One screen shot of Microsoft's own official web page below puts to rest any arguments *if* antivirus software is needed, as any web site can be taken over as a portal for malware.


Also, how can you guys be so shortsighted as to assume that everyone has the same computer needs as you? Grandmas and people on fixed income have zero need to upgrade to Windows 7 which can't even be installed on their machines which perfectly satisfy their computer needs and usage making it ludicrous for them to have the upgrade cycles you guys have.

C6,

It looks like this occurs only with Avira V10? I still use Avira V9 (free) on an XP Pro machine without issues.

Don't you get nags and warnings about version 9 end of life date etc?

For the longest time, I unchecked automatic program update downloading and only allowed antivirus definitions to be downloaded on friends/families comps and now I am kicking myself for not being as paranoid as I used to be because I used to do that imagining just this scenario of automatic update of *anything* messing their systems up.


There is no excuse however for Avira to still be downloading the Windows XP destroying update fully knowing what it does to Windows XP. Them working on a fix is no explanation for why it is still infecting people's PCs. If it took me since before Thanksgiving here
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661169
to yesterday to figure it out, going back to my old images and being reinfected as soon as I first boot into a fresh image of Windows XP. What chance does an average Joe have reinstalling WinXP time & time again not aware that the program designed to protect him from malware is infecting him with malware.

Do you guys think MSE is more lightweight than Avira/ Is it a comparable product/ Should I ditch Avira for it?

They are both pretty light weight really. But I read everywhere that Avira has the highest detection rate.

c627627 said:

Also, how can you guys be so shortsighted as to assume that everyone has the same computer needs as you? Grandmas and people on fixed income have zero need to upgrade to Windows 7 which can't even be installed on their machines which perfectly satisfy their computer needs and usage making it ludicrous for them to have the upgrade cycles you guys have.

Click to expand...

But we were referring to you, c627627, not our grandma(s). Surely it's within your capabilities? For grandmas and their ilk, I prefer MSE. No popups, renewals or dog-and-pony shows (see below).

Super Nade said:

Do you guys think MSE is more lightweight than Avira/ Is it a comparable product/ Should I ditch Avira for it?

Click to expand...

I have MSE installed on 200+ machines in the field now and have had only one bit of adware slip by in the better part of the year. It's the most lightweight product we've used and has had 0 compatibility issues.