Why can't I update my anti-virus?

Question

Aright, this will be a little long, so bear with me, here:

My computer just recovered from a very bad virus attack that shook it to the core. Some of the problems were:

1. Free virus scan (i.e. "Your computer may be infected blah-dee-blah) message whenever I opened folders.

2.Incredibly slow browser, even when my interned speed was 54.0 Mbps

Anyways, I ran anti virus, restarted my computer a few times, and the messages are gone, my internet is fine...

There is still one problem.

I was told it is a good idea to have more than one virus scanner, because usually one can not get and kill every virus, so I now have Avast and AVG, however, I can not update either of them.

If I cant update them, and the virus database has grown, they might not even recognize the virus... I tried to go onto the website, but both give me the message that I cant connect to the website, or any other anti virus website, which I find to be rather indicative of malware/Trojan/virus/etc.

Is there any way that I can update Avast and AVG via another source, or will I have to wipe it all and reinstall Windows?

Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

Jordan, do mean to laugh at your problem, but I can't help it??  Sounds like some virus, has outsmarted your anti-virus software?  heehee.  

All my kidding aside, try looking for some of this free software, that takes out all these programs that 'load' at "startup"?!!!  That might help?  

You'd be surprised nowadays, every piece of software has these little kernels, they load in your registry at startup?  You might use some photo editor maybe once a month, yet that software has loaded itself whenever you boot?   Try getting rid of all that c**p??    

Answer 2

yes, i am having the same problem, not only wont it let me update my scanners (superantispyware, spybot, and avg) but it wont let me onto their sites in internet explorer, and wont let me onto kaspersky's, norton's, macafee's, spydoctor's etc....

have checked the hosts file and nothing is there (apart from the usual).

have checked out all of the processes (all seem fine according to the internet)

have even checked hijackthis log and all is fine

WHAT THE h**l IS THIS THING????

HELP US!!!

Answer 3

sometimes your firewall will not allow updates,try checking it and allow the programs 2 update,also use a spyware scanner such as spybot search and destroy and adaware se

Answer 4

Hello,

Remove avast which is a bad Anti-Virus.

And check your "hosts" file (look at the Nick P answer's).

Bye

Answer 5

Your problem will be gone when you remove AVG.

You should have Avast for anti-virus & Spybot for anti-spyware.

If you want another virus scanner, try clamwin.

Clamwin will not conflict with other anti-virus because it is an on-demand scanner.

Answer 6

there r several reasons for this

1.your comp is affected by virus that preventing u from updating and slow browsing.

2.since u have 2 anti virus they may be clashing each other

3.since u have avg ,which use more resources than other so

first stop your avast ,and give a search for viruses.

4.i think its better for to change to kasperscey

5.if u want updates u can download them separately and update them

Answer 7

ok go to c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc

and open file hosts in a notepad.

the only thing you should see is something about your localhost

any thing else means that the trojan had the websites listed in hosts file blocked.