Service Pack for Antivir confuses users

Service Pack 2 for Avira's free AntiVir software has caused some confusion among users because it sometimes seems to disable real-time protection after installation. The problem occurs when users decline to install the browser toolbar of search engine operator Ask.com when installing the new WebGuard protection. In that case, WebGuard is not installed and activated, which leads AntiVir to output an error message and display a closed umbrella – the closed umbrella usually indicates that real-time protection has been disabled.

In fact, real-time protection remains enabled; only WebGuard protection is inactive. WebGuard is designed to search for contaminants in HTTP and FTP traffic; up until now, it has only been a part of the premium AntiVir versions.

Avira says that WebGuard was combined with the Ask toolbar in the Personal Edition because users then have greater protection and the firm can only provide this function for free because it receives money for the toolbar. Avira says it will soon provide an update so that the umbrella remains open in the status bar even when WebGuard is not installed.

See also:

• Online protection inactive after update, Knowledgebase article from Avira.

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