MSE Update question....

[Golden]

Hi,

Does anyone know how frequently MSE updates its virus definitions?

I've set it to check for virus and spyware definitons prior to scheduled scans, but it isn't clear to me whether it checks and updates definitions at any other time.

I've had a look through the MSE help, but can't find any information on this.

Can anyone shed light on this?

Regards,
Golden

 

[G1LLY]

Not really an answer to your question but on mine it seems to search for updates on bootup/startup, I have Windows Update set to Notify only & MSE still manages to keep itself up-to-date, I've never actually witnessed MSE searching & updating by itself but it does.

I'm never on when my Scheduled Scan is set to run.

 

[Golden]

Thanks Gilly. Thats correct, from what I understand, MSE gets updates independant of WU.

Can I ask, what makes you suspect that it gets updates at bootup? If that is the case, then its good.

Regards,
Golden

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I don't use scheduled scans to get updates.

I get updates every 24 to 48 hours, never longer--regardless of scans.

On earlier versions, you could get away with no scans forever.

On the current version, if you don't scan, you will eventually get a red flag in the system tray, complaining about the lack of scans. I think it is after about 2 weeks.

So, I have set a scheduled scan to once a week. So far, I no longer get that flag.

 

[G4PYR]

Hi,

Does anyone know how frequently MSE updates its virus definitions?

I've set it to check for virus and spyware definitons prior to scheduled scans, but it isn't clear to me whether it checks and updates definitions at any other time.

I've had a look through the MSE help, but can't find any information on this.

Can anyone shed light on this?

Regards,
Golden

In my experience updates become available generally 3 times a day at 0540,1340, 2140 UK GMT time. I do a manual check if I am working in the office at the two latter times and updates are generally available like clock work, try a couple of minutes earlier and there is no update.

Robert

 

[Golden]

Thanks Robert. I wonder what happens if you aren't logged in at those times, and neglect to do do a manual update? I guess it waits until the next re-occurence of those times?

An update at bootup seems feasible, but it would be nice to have a confirmation that this is what is actually happening.

Regards
Golden

 

[marsmimar]

Hi,

Does anyone know how frequently MSE updates its virus definitions?

Regards,
Golden

I have Windows Updates turned off and I do not have MSE set to run scheduled scans. I prefer to check for updates manually throughout the day. Based on my observations MSE is updated at least twice a day. New definitions are available between 1am - 5am Central Standard Time (in Texas) and again usually between noon and 4pm CST. Occasionally there will be a third update available between 8pm and 11pm but this is the exception rather than the norm. I once sent an email to the MMPC and they confirmed definitions are sent out at least twice a day, including weekends. But the couldn't (or wouldn't) say how long it takes for Windows Updates to get the new definitions and automatically install them.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I never check manually.

Updates are forced on me via Windows Update every 36 hours, give or take 12.

 

[G4PYR]

Thanks Robert. I wonder what happens if you aren't logged in at those times, and neglect to do do a manual update? I guess it waits until the next re-occurence of those times?

An update at bootup seems feasible, but it would be nice to have a confirmation that this is what is actually happening.

Regards
Golden

If I am not here to check then the machines pick up an update with microsoft updates, so I get at least 1 update every 24 hours and the machines also do a daily scan in the night and it will check for an update then before it scans.

Robert

 

[Golden]

I once sent an email to the MMPC and they confirmed definitions are sent out at least twice a day, including weekends. But the couldn't (or wouldn't) say how long it takes for Windows Updates to get the new definitions and automatically install them.

Cheers Mars. I might give that a go, and try find out a little bit more. I'd be completely satisfied if they could confirm that an update gets done at reboot.

Regards,
Golden

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Golden and all interested....
How often does Microsoft Security Essentials auto-update? - Microsoft Answers

This should make you more confused than we were before!

 

[DBone]

Hi,

Does anyone know how frequently MSE updates its virus definitions?

I've set it to check for virus and spyware definitons prior to scheduled scans, but it isn't clear to me whether it checks and updates definitions at any other time.

I've had a look through the MSE help, but can't find any information on this.

Can anyone shed light on this?

Regards,
Golden

MS sends out 3-4 updates per day. MSE will check for updates once per 24hrs. You can force a second update check by scheduling a quick scan every day. I've read that MSE checks for updates on boot, but for me it never did.

 

[Golden]

Thanks for the replies Dennis and DBone. Consensus sems to be at least once, but possibly a few times a day. I like your thinking there DBone : schedule a quick scan after reboot to force an update if there is one pending.

Regards,
Golden

 

[DBone]

When I ran it, I scheduled my quick scan for 2pm. I would boot up around 7am and run a manual update, because after much trial and error, it would never update automatically after boot like is reported. Then I would manually update again around 8pm so I wouldn't be without the latest definitions for too long. I however got tired of having to "babysit" my antivirus, and I looked elsewhere for my security...............Good luck!

 

[G1LLY]

I've read that MSE checks for updates on boot, but for me it never did.

Logged into my computer about half an hour ago & MSE was running on definitions released on 08.03.11 so I don't think it checks on boot everytime like I thought it did, just has to manually update to definitions released today.

 

[DBone]

I've read that MSE checks for updates on boot, but for me it never did.

Logged into my computer about half an hour ago & MSE was running on definitions released on 08.03.11 so I don't think it checks on boot everytime like I thought it did, just has to manually update to definitions released today.

lol! I read your date as August 03, 2011

 

[G1LLY]

I've read that MSE checks for updates on boot, but for me it never did.

Logged into my computer about half an hour ago & MSE was running on definitions released on 08.03.11 so I don't think it checks on boot everytime like I thought it did, just has to manually update to definitions released today.

lol! I read your date as August 03, 2011

LOL! I have definitions from the future :shock:

No, March 8th in the UK format

 

[Fayla]

I usually check for updates manually, although I know it's pointless lol. Here's a log of the last three days (I kept track of this for you.) The times in brackets () are when I clicked update and it updated.

DAY #1
1. 3AM ~ (11AM) GMT +0
2. 1PM ~ (2.20PM) GMT +0
3. 9PM ~ (10PM) GMT +0
DAY #2
1. 2.30AM ~ (7.30AM) GMT +0
2. 11AM ~ (2.20PM) GMT +0
3. 2.20PM ~ (9.48PM) GMT +0
DAY #4
1. 2.30AM ~ (MIDDAY) GMT +0
2. 11AM ~ (1.55PM) GMT +0
3. TBC

Thanks for the replies Dennis and DBone. Consensus seems to be at least once, but possibly a few times a day. I like your thinking there DBone : schedule a quick scan after reboot to force an update if there is one pending.

Regards,
Golden

 

[bru]

I spent some time on Microsoft Answers discussing this. What I figured out is if you manually update it messes up the auto check. It will take a day or two for it to get back in synch. So you either need to always do manual updates or just leave it to update itself. It will usually update within 10 minutes after a reboot/coming out of sleep assuming a new definition has been created since the last time it checked. That last part is the key. For quite a while I thought it wasn't working right but after letting it work on it's own for a week or so I figured out the patterns.

To simplify things I scheduled a quick scan for everyday. That works for me.

 

[DBone]

What I don't understand (maybe someone can help) is that the developer of the software thinks so highly of definition updates, that it creates 3 updates a day, but yet it programs the software to only look for updates once per day? These two philosophies seem backwards to me. I would rather have the AV look for more updates then are produced.....No?