How to install 2015 freeware antivirus Avira version 15

[c627627]

I post this once a year or so. Definitions-wise, I don't hear that much has changed. Avira definitions still beat other freeware antivirus alternatives and most pay-for antivirus alternatives. The catch: It is a pain to install if you don't want to pay for the non-free version.

It makes no sense to pay for anti-virus when Avira's definitions are better than most of them and it makes no sense to use other anti-virus freeware when their definitions are not as current and can't compete with either Avira or pay-for alternatives. I would drop Avira in a heart beat but year after year, they have the best definitions out there.
Every year we get "who needs anti-virus, I don't" posts but for the rest of us:

The almost impossible to find 2015 Full version download location is
http://personal.avira-update.com/package/wks_avira13/win32/en/pecl/avira_free_antivirus_en.exe
[I dare you to find it anywhere on the internet. ]


Avira AntiVir Personal 15.0.9



Double click on Setup.exe to install the program.

Click on Next, ignoring Avira's warnings to uninstall Comodo Firewall or similar programs which intercept phone-home attempts.


SELECT: Custom
UNCHECK: I want to improve my protection using Avira Protection Cloud
CHECK: I accept the End User License Agreement > Next > Next

!!! IMPORTANT !!! : UNCHECK: Windows Firewall
Otherwise Avira umbrella will integrate with Windows Firewall ON/OFF switch and will be closed even if you are using better third party Firewalls like Comodo Firewall instead of Windows Firewall.
In other words, if you don't UNCHECK: Windows Firewall, you will have to permanently keep Windows Firewall ON for Avira umbrella to be open, even if you use other, better firewalls.
After installation, C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\setup.exe controls adding/removing Avira options like Firewall.

CHECK: Confirm manually when sending suspicious files to Avira > Next > Next


Welcome to the Configuration Wizard > Next > Next >

Allow the configuration wizard to keep the default Express Setup options. [Do not Select All.]
Once again: *DO NOT SELECT ALL* here.
(LEAVE UNCHECKED: Application, Games, Jokes, Programs that violate the private domain) > Next >

UNCHECK: Performs a quick systems scan after the installation > Next > Finish

Run program update

UNINSTALL AVIRA ESSENTIALS after installation complete - If it is there, it is the first Avira entry in Add Remove Programs list (If there are two: First is "Avira" and the second is "Avira Antivirus". Uninstall "Avira" not "Avira Antivirus").

DO NOT ALLOW AVIRA TO UPDATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER UNINSTALLING THIS ENTRY or else Avira Essentials will be reinstalled.

DO NOT CLICK ON Accept and Update if prompted immediately after set up finishes. Click on X to close the window > Cancel? > Yes
[This is because Avira may try to get you to reinstall Avira Essentials immediately after you uninstall Avira Essentials.]


Start Avira >
System Scanner (upper left) > Configuration (upper right) >

Always keep this UNCHECKED: Follow symbolic links (on right)

> System Scanner > Scan > Action on detection >
Set for Automatic, Primary action: Ignore [if you want to just scan folders and get a scan report without deleting files or being prompted what to do if virii/malware are found.]

> [bottom line under PC Protection] General > Security >
Disable being notified every time USB drive has an AUTORUN.INF file:
UNCHECK: Block autorun function
> General > Events > Select: Limit size to max. >
> General > Reports > Select: Limit number to max. >
> General > Warnings > UNCHECK Show notice if the virus definition file is out of date

> Apply > First click on OK then > Scheduler [on lower left] > UNCHECK everything.


Set Avira Free Antivirus to Always show in Windows Taskbar.


Also block this Avira messaging popup nag file from accessing the internet, using Comodo Firewall or similar software:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ipmgui.exe
or
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ipmgui.exe


To disable Notifier nag screen: Control Panel > View by Category > System and Security first > Administrative Tools [fourth from bottom] > Local Security Policy > Right click on Software Restriction Policies > Create New Policies SO THAT ADDITIONAL RULES SHOWS UP UNDERNEATH > Right click on Additional Rules > New Path Rule... > Browse... to the path of avnotify.exe default is
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
or
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe

> Set the security level to Disallowed > OK


For Windows Home or non-Professional versions, you must reboot into Safe Mode, log in as Administrator, then
go to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
and right click on it >
Properties > Security TAB >
[Under Group or usernames] SYSTEM > Edit button > CHECK: Deny for Read & execute > Apply > Yes > OK > OK

Make sure SYSTEM is set to Deny for Read & execute before rebooting.

[Security TAB will only show up on NTFS formatted drives, not FAT32 drives.]

To boot into Safe Mode: Start Menu > Run... > MSCONFIG > Boot TAB >
CHECK: Safe boot > OK
When you finish with Safe Mode, be sure to UNCHECK: Safe boot so you don't reboot into Safe Mode again.


To submit a suspected virus, go to
http://analysis.avira.com/samples/
to upload it.


You can scan multiple drives inside program options: Local Protection > Scanner > CHECK drives you wish to scan. The premium version also offers the option to scan multiple folders here. The free version does not.


Subscription to new virus definitions for this program is renewed automatically when you right click on Avira icon in the task bar > Start update

or download the latest key file from:
http://personal.avira-update.com/package/peclkey/win32/int/hbedv.key

and either copy it to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop
and restart or go to Help > License management > click on the blue License file link > browse to the new downloaded hbedv.key > Open.



In case of error message:

The procedure entry point ?_Xbad@tr1@std@@YAX4error_type@regex_constants@12@@Z could not be located in the dynamic link library MSVCP90.dll

download and install Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=a5c84275-3b97-4ab7-a40d-3802b2af5fc2


Manual updates can be downloaded from:
http://dl.antivir.de/down/vdf/ivdf_fusebundle_nt_en.zip
Unzip the downloaded file and copy all the contents to
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop


Using two Antivirus programs at the same time:
It is *not* a good idea to use two Antivirus programs at the same time, they will conflict with each other and most likely cause problems, unless you disable one of them from being active on the system.


Default log file location is
C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\LOGFILES
or
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\LOGFILES

 

[trents]

I've installed Avira free on several machines lately and it seemed pretty straight forward to me. I'm using the default Windows firewalls, though.

 

[c627627]

Do you disable the nag screens?

Spoiler

To disable Notifier nag screen: Control Panel > View by Category > System and Security first > Administrative Tools [fourth from bottom] > Local Security Policy > Right click on Software Restriction Policies > Create New Policies SO THAT ADDITIONAL RULES SHOWS UP UNDERNEATH > Right click on Additional Rules > New Path Rule... > Browse... to the path of avnotify.exe default is
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
or
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe

> Set the security level to Disallowed > OK


For Windows Home or non-Professional versions, you must reboot into Safe Mode, log in as Administrator, then
go to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
and right click on it >
Properties > Security TAB >
[Under Group or usernames] SYSTEM > Edit button > CHECK: Deny for Read & execute > Apply > Yes > OK > OK

Make sure SYSTEM is set to Deny for Read & execute before rebooting.

[Security TAB will only show up on NTFS formatted drives, not FAT32 drives.]

To boot into Safe Mode: Start Menu > Run... > MSCONFIG > Boot TAB >
CHECK: Safe boot > OK
When you finish with Safe Mode, be sure to UNCHECK: Safe boot so you don't reboot into Safe Mode again.

 

[trents]

Do you disable the nag screens?

Spoiler

To disable Notifier nag screen: Control Panel > View by Category > System and Security first > Administrative Tools [fourth from bottom] > Local Security Policy > Right click on Software Restriction Policies > Create New Policies SO THAT ADDITIONAL RULES SHOWS UP UNDERNEATH > Right click on Additional Rules > New Path Rule... > Browse... to the path of avnotify.exe default is
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
or
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe

> Set the security level to Disallowed > OK


For Windows Home or non-Professional versions, you must reboot into Safe Mode, log in as Administrator, then
go to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
and right click on it >
Properties > Security TAB >
[Under Group or usernames] SYSTEM > Edit button > CHECK: Deny for Read & execute > Apply > Yes > OK > OK

Make sure SYSTEM is set to Deny for Read & execute before rebooting.

[Security TAB will only show up on NTFS formatted drives, not FAT32 drives.]

To boot into Safe Mode: Start Menu > Run... > MSCONFIG > Boot TAB >
CHECK: Safe boot > OK
When you finish with Safe Mode, be sure to UNCHECK: Safe boot so you don't reboot into Safe Mode again.

No. Did you give directions for that? I'll have to go back and read your post more closely. That would come in handy for my customers who typically take the bate and get moved over to the paid version and wonder what happened. Thanks for the heads up. Even so, the Avira nag is not as naggy as most of the other free products out there like AVG and Avast.

 

[c627627]

Yeah, it's in the spoiler.

 

[Audioaficionado]

I've been wanting to upgrade my protection. I've been using MSE, Malwarebytes Anti Malware & Anti Exploit (both free), Windows FW: all behind my router firewall.

I'd like to build better protection for my PC clients that's easy to use and they don't have to deal with nags or other alarming messages that aren't critical.

 

[c627627]

Pay for version of Avira has no nags.
Free version requires gymnastics which for Pro versions of Windows are

Control Panel > View by Category > System and Security first > Administrative Tools [fourth from bottom] > Local Security Policy > Right click on Software Restriction Policies > Create New Policies SO THAT ADDITIONAL RULES SHOWS UP UNDERNEATH > Right click on Additional Rules > New Path Rule... > Browse... to the path of avnotify.exe default is
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
> Set the security level to Disallowed > OK


I only have Avira and Comodo Firewall (Comodo to mainly to detect anything going in *as well as out* of the system.)
I disable Avira Firewall as well as Windows Firewall because for some strange reason very few Firewalls have historically intercepted phone home attempts FROM your system - they only intercept incoming hits.

I suppose we don't want to overload the system too much.
Malwarebytes is good for curing already infected systems.


If Avira Antivirus & Comodo Firewall combo let anything through, and someone quarantines whatever got through that Avira/Comodo did not stop... and then they immediately on the same install ANY program that COULD detect what Avira/Comodo could not



now that would be a reason to ditch them. That is the only reason I use them. I actually had that happen, I actually had Avira detect actual malware that others did not, and that is the only reason why I stay with Avira. I stay with Comodo because it tests as one of the best Firewalls out there, it is free and intercepts phone home attempts.
MSE definitions are not good, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Audioaficionado]

Maybe I should just install Malwarebytes on their machines and let MSE and WinFW be. I'll also install Ad Block Plus on FF for them.

I have Malwarebytes on my machine, but I might try out your suggestions. Any reason Malwarebytes can't stay with Avira and Comodo?

What I don't want is a bunch of nagging from either of them. I have Malwarebytes set to not nag me at all.

 

[c627627]

Avira Free has real-time protection, Malwarebytes Free does not.
Therefore Malwarebytes Free is good for removing existing malware, perhaps Avira Free is better at preventing it...

I found this thread talking about your question:
https://forums.malwarebytes.org/ind...n-i-use-malwarebytes-anti-malware-with-avira/


If you don't want to pay for Avira Pro, you would have to jump through circus hoops I outlined above with every Avira Free installation to block nags.

 

[ThunderCloud]

Also block this Avira messaging popup nag file from accessing the internet, using Comodo Firewall or similar software:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ipmgui.exe
or
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ipmgui.exe


To disable Notifier nag screen: Control Panel > View by Category > System and Security first > Administrative Tools [fourth from bottom] > Local Security Policy > Right click on Software Restriction Policies > Create New Policies SO THAT ADDITIONAL RULES SHOWS UP UNDERNEATH > Right click on Additional Rules > New Path Rule... > Browse... to the path of avnotify.exe default is
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
or
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe

> Set the security level to Disallowed > OK

Is there a reason you don't prevent ipmgui from running like you do with avnotify?

Most people don't have Comodo firewall installed.

According to Avira, the only purpose it serves is to spam...
https://www.avira.com/en/support-for-home-knowledgebase-detail/kbid/1771

Edit: Ok, so blocking it using policy or access restriction causes an error dialog box to pop-up.

I've tried using windows firewall to block ipmgui.exe's access to the internet using the instructions below:
http://superuser.com/questions/363540/how-can-i-block-a-program-from-accessing-the-internet

However, it's still popping up on logon.

 

[c627627]

I was worried that messing with ipmgui functioning will effect the program as you appear to have found out and confirmed.

People use software firewalls for many reasons, but THE most important reason for me was always: intercepting data being sent OUT of my machine.
It was always beyond strange to me how Windows Firewall and most other firewalls intercept data coming IN but none intercepted data going OUT.

Comodo is freeware and serves the purpose of intercepting data going out so it intercepts ipmgui and I tell it to permanently block ipmgui from sending data out without actually interfering in any other way with it.


As far as I know Comodo has no worthy competitor, it is free and it beats pay-for alternatives and I know of no other way of intercepting programs from sending data OUT of your machine.


Here is how I install Comodo:

https://personalfirewall.comodo.com/free-download.html

Double click on Setup.exe to install the program > OK > UNCHECK everything.
Do not enable Cloud Based Behavior Analysis. Do not send anonymous program usage statistics.
** CLICK ON CUSTOMIZE INSTALLATION here. ** BEFORE CLICKING ON Next

UNCHECK: Install COMODO GeekBuddy
UNCHECK: Install COMODO Dragon
UNCHECK: Install PrivDog

> Back > Next > UNCHECK everything > Agree and Install


Reboot the computer then after it reboots, CHECK: Do not show this window again when a Comodo window pops up.


First import any saved configurations if you have them:
Right click on the Comodo icon in the task bar > Open... > Tasks [upper right] > Advanced Tasks > Open Advanced Tasks [lower right] > Configuration > Right click on empty white window > Import > Browse to previously saved configuration settings file > Open and wait for it to be imported, then right click on the imported configuration > Activate


Otherwise, set your custom configuration:

Right click on the Comodo icon in the task bar > Open... > Tasks [upper right] > Advanced Tasks [lower left] > Open Advanced Tasks [lower right] >
General Settings [upper left] > User Interface >
UNCHECK: Show messages from COMODO Message Center
UNCHECK: Show welcome screen on startup
UNCHECK: Show desktop widget
UNCHECK: Play sound when an alert is shown

Updates > UNCHECK everything


> Security Settings > File Rating > File Rating Settings > UNCHECK everything


To temporarily block ALL internet access: Right click on the Comodo icon in the task bar > Open... > Tasks [upper right] > Firewall Tasks > Stop Network Activity

 

[ThunderCloud]

Actually, the second reboot after blocking it with windows firewall, the pop-up hasn't reappeared. Hope it keeps working.

I've been wanting to setup sandboxie and comodo firewall. Just haven't found time to do so yet.