Using the Windows Firewall to Block an Application Update

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

--
David E. Ross

Is Kim Davis a hero or a villain? See my
http://www.rossde.com/KimDavis.html.

On 10/27/2015 5:53 PM, Stormin' Norman wrote:
On Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:01:39 -0700, "David E. Ross" wrote:

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Have you tried disabling the "program update schedule"?

See: https://support.avg.com/SupportArtic...pdate-schedule


"Program update schedule" was deleted from "Schedules" with AVG Free
2016. On the AVG forum, I was effectively told "Live with it."
However, I want to update only when I am truly ready to do so, on my
schedule and not on AVG's schedule. I want to suspend all other
activities on my PC when I update any software.

--
David E. Ross

Is Kim Davis a hero or a villain? See my
http://www.rossde.com/KimDavis.html.

David E. Ross wrote:
On 10/27/2015 5:53 PM, Stormin' Norman wrote:
On Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:01:39 -0700, "David E. Ross" wrote:

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Have you tried disabling the "program update schedule"?

See: https://support.avg.com/SupportArtic...pdate-schedule


"Program update schedule" was deleted from "Schedules" with AVG Free
2016. On the AVG forum, I was effectively told "Live with it."
However, I want to update only when I am truly ready to do so, on my
schedule and not on AVG's schedule. I want to suspend all other
activities on my PC when I update any software.


I've gone with 2016 as well, and received their Zen addition.
I notice that you can only switch on/off the virus definitions update
task, and receive an exclamation mark for your pains. I can't change to
"Scheduled running"; it's greyed out.
This is probably tied hand-in-hand with the forced program updates.

A firewall can be set to exclude a specific program downloading
anything. But it's probably the same AVG program that gets the
definitions updates, and so you'd be excluding that too.

I feel to be getting close to installing a different AV.

Ed

It happens that David E. Ross formulated :
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Strange that AVG does not include built in settings to control
program/definitions. Avast does. I have it set on manual for program
and every 240 mins for definitions.

--
Zo

"No matter what your topcoat is made of, this miracle spray will make
it really repellent."

Zo explained on 10/28/2015 :
It happens that David E. Ross formulated :
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Strange that AVG does not include built in settings to control
program/definitions. Avast does. I have it set on manual for program and
every 240 mins for definitions.

Came across this article that may interest you, especially the "Note".
May be worth a try...

--
Zo

"Tired of working for only $9.75 per hour? We offer profit sharing and
flexible hours. Starting pay: $7 - $9 per hour."

Zo brought next idea :
Zo explained on 10/28/2015 :
It happens that David E. Ross formulated :
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Strange that AVG does not include built in settings to control
program/definitions. Avast does. I have it set on manual for program and
every 240 mins for definitions.

Came across this article that may interest you, especially the "Note". May
be worth a try...

Oops! forgot the link, Sorry :-(

http://techdows.com/2015/06/disable-...-avg-2015.html

--
Zo

The Silent Majority of today are the slaves of tomorrow.

Zo wrote:
Zo brought next idea :
Zo explained on 10/28/2015 :
It happens that David E. Ross formulated :
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again
enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Strange that AVG does not include built in settings to control
program/definitions. Avast does. I have it set on manual for program
and every 240 mins for definitions.

Came across this article that may interest you, especially the
"Note". May be worth a try...

Oops! forgot the link, Sorry :-(

http://techdows.com/2015/06/disable-...-avg-2015.html


That is for the previous version of AVG.

Ed

David E. Ross wrote:
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?


http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/win...w-493470.shtml
That review mentions nothing about the problem being raised in this thread.
I think I can detect why in their give-away comment;
"Casual users will have a hard time discovering how to configure the
advanced settings."

The silly people just didn't go there! And didn't notice it.

Ed

Ed Cryer laid this down on his screen :
Zo wrote:
Zo brought next idea :
Zo explained on 10/28/2015 :
It happens that David E. Ross formulated :
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again
enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Strange that AVG does not include built in settings to control
program/definitions. Avast does. I have it set on manual for program
and every 240 mins for definitions.

Came across this article that may interest you, especially the
"Note". May be worth a try...

Oops! forgot the link, Sorry :-(

http://techdows.com/2015/06/disable-...-avg-2015.html


That is for the previous version of AVG.
True, but it may also work in the newer, hince the "May be worth a try"
comment.

--
Zo

This is more than a simple tagline. It's a hug from me.

David E. Ross wrote:

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

"pushing updates to the software"
You sure about that?

Program updates are NOT the same as signature updates.

A polite program should [an option tp] prompt when there is a program
update available. Quite often a program update will require a reboot.
Avast Free has the following *program* update options:

Automatic update
Ask when update is downloaded
Ask when an update is available
Manual update

Signature updates should be automatic and in the background (no prompt).
You want to ensure you have the latest sig database.

If you do go the route of killing notification of *program* updates,
appearently AVG lets you subscribe to their feed to notify you that way
there is a program update. See:

http://feeds.avg.com/avg_program_updates

Else, you will have to visit:

http://www.avg.com/us-en/download-update

According to the following AVG article, you *do* get a scheduling option
regarding *program* updating but it looks like it is an On (scheduled)
or Off (not scheduled) toggle; that is, when On, you don't get a prompt
to authorize the program update. You can probably change the schedule
to when you are sleeping.

https://support.avg.com/SupportArtic...ogram%20update

By the way, having the AVG client connect out through the firewalls
(Windows and your router) does not expose you to malware. AVG is not
pushing updates by somehow forcing a connection into your host. They
are pulling the update by using a scheduled event to have their client
connect out that you choose to install and local on your host.

If you are worried about your host being susceptible during an AVG
program update then you are declaring that you already have malware on
your host. Perhaps you should schedule an on-demand full scan to
complete before when AVG is scheduled to check for a program update.
Also, if AVG did not detect malware already on your host then it doesn't
matter if AVG is active or inactive (during a program update).

On 10/28/2015 8:45 AM, VanguardLH wrote:
David E. Ross wrote:

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

"pushing updates to the software"
You sure about that?

Program updates are NOT the same as signature updates.

A polite program should [an option tp] prompt when there is a program
update available. Quite often a program update will require a reboot.
Avast Free has the following *program* update options:

Automatic update
Ask when update is downloaded
Ask when an update is available
Manual update

Signature updates should be automatic and in the background (no prompt).
You want to ensure you have the latest sig database.

If you do go the route of killing notification of *program* updates,
appearently AVG lets you subscribe to their feed to notify you that way
there is a program update. See:

http://feeds.avg.com/avg_program_updates

Else, you will have to visit:

http://www.avg.com/us-en/download-update

According to the following AVG article, you *do* get a scheduling option
regarding *program* updating but it looks like it is an On (scheduled)
or Off (not scheduled) toggle; that is, when On, you don't get a prompt
to authorize the program update. You can probably change the schedule
to when you are sleeping.

https://support.avg.com/SupportArtic...ogram%20update

By the way, having the AVG client connect out through the firewalls
(Windows and your router) does not expose you to malware. AVG is not
pushing updates by somehow forcing a connection into your host. They
are pulling the update by using a scheduled event to have their client
connect out that you choose to install and local on your host.

If you are worried about your host being susceptible during an AVG
program update then you are declaring that you already have malware on
your host. Perhaps you should schedule an on-demand full scan to
complete before when AVG is scheduled to check for a program update.
Also, if AVG did not detect malware already on your host then it doesn't
matter if AVG is active or inactive (during a program update).


The ability to block SOFTWARE updates was in AVG Free 2015. According
to AVG, that ability was intentionally removed from AVG Free 2016.
Since I archive all software updates (other than Microsoft's), I am
considering reverting back to AVG Free 2015.

--
David E. Ross

Is Kim Davis a hero or a villain? See my
http://www.rossde.com/KimDavis.html.

Zo wrote:
Ed Cryer laid this down on his screen :
Zo wrote:
Zo brought next idea :
Zo explained on 10/28/2015 :
It happens that David E. Ross formulated :
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating
from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse
than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled
during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file,
disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that
no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again
enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Strange that AVG does not include built in settings to control
program/definitions. Avast does. I have it set on manual for program
and every 240 mins for definitions.

Came across this article that may interest you, especially the
"Note". May be worth a try...

Oops! forgot the link, Sorry :-(

http://techdows.com/2015/06/disable-...-avg-2015.html


That is for the previous version of AVG.
True, but it may also work in the newer, hince the "May be worth a try"
comment.


Well, I've actually used the new 2016 version and David has my full
sympathies; firstly because it does as he said, and secondly because
he's had to put up with the frustration of people doing a little google,
and then puffing themselves up as capable of giving advice.
That's doubly annoying.
Moreover, he's come from the AVG forum to here, and he's been blown away
again.
I call that triply annoying.

Ed

On 10/27/2015 5:01 PM, David E. Ross wrote:
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?


I reverted to AVG 2015 Free this morning.

--
David E. Ross

Is Kim Davis a hero or a villain? See my
http://www.rossde.com/KimDavis.html.

Ed Cryer submitted this idea :
Zo wrote:
Ed Cryer laid this down on his screen :
Zo wrote:
Zo brought next idea :
Zo explained on 10/28/2015 :
It happens that David E. Ross formulated :
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating
from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse
than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled
during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file,
disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that
no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again
enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?

Strange that AVG does not include built in settings to control
program/definitions. Avast does. I have it set on manual for program
and every 240 mins for definitions.

Came across this article that may interest you, especially the
"Note". May be worth a try...

Oops! forgot the link, Sorry :-(

http://techdows.com/2015/06/disable-...-avg-2015.html


That is for the previous version of AVG.
True, but it may also work in the newer, hince the "May be worth a try"
comment.


Well, I've actually used the new 2016 version and David has my full
sympathies; firstly because it does as he said, and secondly because he's had
to put up with the frustration of people doing a little google, and then
puffing themselves up as capable of giving advice.
That's doubly annoying.
Moreover, he's come from the AVG forum to here, and he's been blown away
again.
I call that triply annoying.

David went back to the previous version, so all is well now.

--
Zo

"Shakespeare's Pizza - Free Chopsticks"

On Wed, 28 Oct 2015 11:25:48 -0700, "David E. Ross"
wrote:

On 10/27/2015 5:01 PM, David E. Ross wrote:
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)

I use AVG 2016 Free as my anti-virus application. Since updating from
AVG 2015 Free, AVG has been pushing updates to the software without
asking me or allowing me to delay the updates. I find this worse than
annoying for several reasons.

The most important reason is that AVG is temporarily disabled during an
update. Previously, I would download the full updater file, disconnect
from the Internet, and then do the update. This would mean that no new
malware could be received until AVG was fully updated and again enabled.
The current situation creates a temporary security vulnerability.

Does anyone know how I can set the Windows firewall to block the
downloading of AVG's software update package without blocking the
downloading of AVG's virus definitions?


I reverted to AVG 2015 Free this morning.

I was about to suggest installing an older version. I'm still using
2013.0.3532, with both program and definitions updates turned off. I
then update definitions only, whenever it suits me, with all other
programs closed. And, I create a restore point first, too.

Here is a Google search result that lists several sites where older
versions of AVG can be had.
https://www.google.com/search?q=avg+...utf-8&oe=utf-8


Now that AVG wants for force updates, I suggest when installing older
versions, you do so offline, and uncheck the options for scheduled
updates, before going back online. Then do a manual definitions
update.


DC