AVG antivirus, problem with installation

firekage · 01-31-2012, 05:15 PM

Guys, i need your help again.

I've tried to install AVG from their website. I untared it, than launched, installed and after that i have something like this:

Quote:

Installing 'avgd' service initscripts...
Automatic installation of initscripts for your platform/distribution is not supported.
Please, in directory according to your platform/distribution,
create symbolic link 'avgd' to initscript for AVG daemon
/opt/avg/av/etc/init.d/avgd.all.
Registering 'avgd' service to runlevels...
"Please register the 'avgd' service initscript for startup and runlevels."
Generating uninstall script...
Registering with license: LU2BB-SYAMX-CJTJ7-ARBXD-3BDP7-S3CZM
AVG command line controller
Copyright (c) 2011 AVG Technologies CZ

and i'm stuck. I understan that i need to create symlink, but i don't know for what AVG deamon, where is it, which it is. The symlink should be from /opt/avg/av/etc/init.d/avgd.all but to where?

Also, how to register avgd initscript for startup and runlevels?

I'd like to know more about Slackware, about installing from something other than Slackbuilds but it's too much for me. Please, help me.

lukkon · 01-31-2012, 06:09 PM

You can try install NOD32 for Linux:
http://www.eset.com/download/home/detail/family/71/
Download RPM and convert it using rpm2txz and than install with installpkg. I installed this without any problem some time ago.

rkelsen · 01-31-2012, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firekage

I've tried to install AVG from their website.

Is this on a server?

frankbell · 01-31-2012, 09:33 PM

man avgctl should tell you what you need to know.

firekage · 02-01-2012, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkelsen

Is this on a server?

You can download it from provided link.

firekage · 02-01-2012, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbell

man avgctl should tell you what you need to know.

It's the funniest answer so far - didn't help. I've checked it but i'm not experineced with Linux, i've been learning it since april 2011. In man there is only info about how to use it, nothing more.

The main problem with people experineced in Linux is that answers just like that not only don't help but rather make people go away from great os like Linux and causes that people wouldn't like to know something different, better.

anyway, thank you.

aocab · 02-01-2012, 12:29 PM

As a test, I installed the program and configured it with the default options
(i.e. it runs as user root).

I did not create the symbolic link named avgd as there is already
an executable file named avgd in /opt/avg/av/bin/

To start/stop/restart the avgd daemon as root:

Code:

avgctl --start

Code:

avgctl --stop

Code:

avgctl --restart

To scan a folder as root once the avgd daemon is started:

Code:

avgscan /folder/to/scan

If you want the program to start when the operating system starts you could create
an executable file /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd to start/stop/restart the avgd daemon
(I used a copy of /etc/rc.d/rc.sshd as a template):

Code:

#!/bin/sh
# Start/stop/restart avgd:

avgd_start() {
  avgctl --start
}

avgd_stop() {
  avgctl --stop
}

avgd_restart() {
  avgctl --restart
}

case "$1" in
'start')
  avgd_start
  ;;
'stop')
  avgd_stop
  ;;
'restart')
  avgd_restart
  ;;
*)
  echo "usage $0 start|stop|restart"
esac

Then add this snippet of code to the bottom of /etc/rc.d/rc.local
so avgd will run when the operating system starts up.

Code:

if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd ]; then
  /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd start
fi

You will also need to create an executable file /etc/rc.d/rc.local_shutdown and add this
snippet of code so the avgd daemon is shut down during shutdown. Otherwise the program's
lock file (/opt/avg/av/var/run/avgd.pid) gets left behind and it will not start on the next boot claiming that it is
already running.

Code:

if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd ]; then
  /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd stop
fi

Once all this is in place you could
start/stop/restart the avgd daemon as root:

Code:

/etc/rc.d/rc.avgd start

Code:

/etc/rc.d/rc.avgd stop

Code:

/etc/rc.d/rc.avgd restart

To scan a folder as root once the avgd daemon is started:

Code:

avgscan /folder/to/scan

It appears that it would be easier to just start the avgd daemon as root
and then scan whatever folders you need to scan and then stop the avgd daemon.

Code:

avgctl --start
avgscan /folder/to/scan
avgctl --stop

I did not look into any of the other options for avg.

HTH
Cheers

rkelsen · 02-01-2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firekage

You can download it from provided link.

no no. I'm asking if you're installing it on a server.

frankbell · 02-01-2012, 08:25 PM

man avgctl in a terminal opens the "man" (manual) page for the avgctl program (avg control). It explains how to use the avgctl command to start and stop AVG, to set it to start at boot, to run a scan, and so on.

It can be a big help to learn how to use the man pages. They provide a lot more information than help files (avgctl --help, for example).

Granted, a lot of them are written from the viewpoint of engineers ("this is how X works," "this is how Y works") rather than from the standpoint of users ("this is how to accomplish X," "this is how to accomplish Y"), and they mostly lack one of the most useful things new users can have: examples. Nevertheless, that are a source for help that is always right there at the command line.

firekage · 02-02-2012, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aocab

As a test, I installed the program and configured it with the default options
(i.e. it runs as user root).

I did not create the symbolic link named avgd as there is already
an executable file named avgd in /opt/avg/av/bin/

To start/stop/restart the avgd daemon as root:

Code:

avgctl --start

Code:

avgctl --stop

Code:

avgctl --restart

To scan a folder as root once the avgd daemon is started:

Code:

avgscan /folder/to/scan

If you want the program to start when the operating system starts you could create
an executable file /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd to start/stop/restart the avgd daemon
(I used a copy of /etc/rc.d/rc.sshd as a template):

Code:

#!/bin/sh
# Start/stop/restart avgd:

avgd_start() {
  avgctl --start
}

avgd_stop() {
  avgctl --stop
}

avgd_restart() {
  avgctl --restart
}

case "$1" in
'start')
  avgd_start
  ;;
'stop')
  avgd_stop
  ;;
'restart')
  avgd_restart
  ;;
*)
  echo "usage $0 start|stop|restart"
esac

Then add this snippet of code to the bottom of /etc/rc.d/rc.local
so avgd will run when the operating system starts up.

Code:

if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd ]; then
  /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd start
fi

You will also need to create an executable file /etc/rc.d/rc.local_shutdown and add this
snippet of code so the avgd daemon is shut down during shutdown. Otherwise the program's
lock file (/opt/avg/av/var/run/avgd.pid) gets left behind and it will not start on the next boot claiming that it is
already running.

Code:

if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd ]; then
  /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd stop
fi

Once all this is in place you could
start/stop/restart the avgd daemon as root:

Code:

/etc/rc.d/rc.avgd start

Code:

/etc/rc.d/rc.avgd stop

Code:

/etc/rc.d/rc.avgd restart

To scan a folder as root once the avgd daemon is started:

Code:

avgscan /folder/to/scan

It appears that it would be easier to just start the avgd daemon as root
and then scan whatever folders you need to scan and then stop the avgd daemon.

Code:

avgctl --start
avgscan /folder/to/scan
avgctl --stop

I did not look into any of the other options for avg.

HTH
Cheers

Thank you very much. I see that it is something far advanced that i thought. In my country there is proverb like: it's high school of driving, thank you.

---------- Post added 02-02-12 at 11:33 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkelsen

no no. I'm asking if you're installing it on a server.

My mistake. No, on my home computer.

firekage · 02-02-2012, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbell

man avgctl in a terminal opens the "man" (manual) page for the avgctl program (avg control). It explains how to use the avgctl command to start and stop AVG, to set it to start at boot, to run a scan, and so on.

It can be a big help to learn how to use the man pages. They provide a lot more information than help files (avgctl --help, for example).

Granted, a lot of them are written from the viewpoint of engineers ("this is how X works," "this is how Y works") rather than from the standpoint of users ("this is how to accomplish X," "this is how to accomplish Y"), and they mostly lack one of the most useful things new users can have: examples. Nevertheless, that are a source for help that is always right there at the command line.

No, no, it is not that problem. I know that in man they show how to use, but i dont understand part about creating symlink and so on, that was my problem.

Thank you for your answers. Much obliged.

firekage · 02-02-2012, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aocab

If you want the program to start when the operating system starts you could create
an executable file /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd to start/stop/restart the avgd daemon
(I used a copy of /etc/rc.d/rc.sshd as a template):

Code:

#!/bin/sh
# Start/stop/restart avgd:

avgd_start() {
  avgctl --start
}

avgd_stop() {
  avgctl --stop
}

avgd_restart() {
  avgctl --restart
}

case "$1" in
'start')
  avgd_start
  ;;
'stop')
  avgd_stop
  ;;
'restart')
  avgd_restart
  ;;
*)
  echo "usage $0 start|stop|restart"
esac

So, i can paste this to a created file?

Quote:

Then add this snippet of code to the bottom of /etc/rc.d/rc.local
so avgd will run when the operating system starts up.

Code:

if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd ]; then
  /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd start
fi

Put this in created rc.avgd?

Quote:

You will also need to create an executable file /etc/rc.d/rc.local_shutdown and add this
snippet of code so the avgd daemon is shut down during shutdown. Otherwise the program's
lock file (/opt/avg/av/var/run/avgd.pid) gets left behind and it will not start on the next boot claiming that it is
already running.

Code:

if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd ]; then
  /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd stop
fi

Again, can i copy it to a created file?

Thank you very much. I tried only to install it with standard options (i wanted to run under user, but when i leaved is as a root it works right now, i can scan from command line) - only gui and i would be happy

Edit - strange thing. After reboot and launchinghave outputs:

Code:

root@darkstar:/home/firekage# avgscan /home/firekage/
AVG command line Anti-Virus scanner
Copyright (c) 2011 AVG Technologies CZ

Error: Component connection is unavailable.
 avgd is not running or is not yet fully initialized.

and

Code:

root@darkstar:/home/firekage# avgctl --start
AVG command line controller
Copyright (c) 2011 AVG Technologies CZ

Starting avgd
Operation failed. Pid file exists. Another AVG already running.

Edit - in pkgtool there is no avg package! Don't know why.

Edit 2 - it works again. I had to remove avgd.pid. Strange. AVG team says that it is removed during each bootup.

aocab · 02-02-2012, 01:18 PM

create an executable file named rc.avgd in /etc/rc.d/
(you can copy and paste the following):

Code:

#!/bin/sh
# Start/stop/restart avgd:

avgd_start() {
  avgctl --start
}

avgd_stop() {
  avgctl --stop
}

avgd_restart() {
  avgctl --restart
}

case "$1" in
'start')
  avgd_start
  ;;
'stop')
  avgd_stop
  ;;
'restart')
  avgd_restart
  ;;
*)
  echo "usage $0 start|stop|restart"
esac

add the following to the bottom of /etc/rc.d/rc.local
(this will run rc.avgd with the start option so that the
avgd daemon gets started when the system boots up):

Code:

if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd ]; then
  /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd start
fi

create an executable file named rc.local_shutdown in /etc/rc.d/ and add the following
This will shutdown the avgd daemon when the system shuts down.
(you can copy and paste the following):

Code:

if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd ]; then
  /etc/rc.d/rc.avgd stop
fi

If the avgd daemon is not shut down the program's lock file (/opt/avg/av/var/run/avgd.pid)
gets left behind and it will not start on the next boot claiming that it is already running.

There is a way to get avg to scan files on-access but I have not figured that out yet.
As for the GUI...one of the announcements on the avg website mentions that the program
does have a GUI interface but looking through the forums I came across several posts
where it is mentioned that there is no GUI packaged with avg for linux.

I did come across a youtube video where someone was using a GUI interface to the avgd
daemon using some python scripts but the scripts are no longer available for download.

HTH
Cheers

On this page there are several links explaining how to enable
on-access scanning but it is for an older version of avg.
I'm not sure if the information applies to the newer versions of avg.

(faq 1749, 1752, and 1753)
http://www.avg.com/ww-en/faq.pnuid-1253866647

rkelsen · 02-02-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firekage

My mistake. No, on my home computer.

Why?

Set up a firewall and be done with it. I've been using Linux on my home desktop since 1999, on a machine which is permanently connected to the internet through a cable modem (without any AV software installed, I might add), and I've never seen a virus.

Don't get me wrong, there are many viruses for Linux... BUT, all of the self-propagating viruses and worms attack services like BIND, Apache or Sendmail, and require these services to self-propagate.

None of these types of services are required to run a desktop, even if you want file & print sharing on a home network.

If you're running Linux on a desktop and have switched off all of the outward facing services which you don't need, the simple fact is that there can never be a Linux virus which comes to you via email and sends itself out to all of your friends before formatting your hard drive. Such a thing does not (and cannot) exist.

For a desktop, I think installing AV software on Linux is a waste of time, effort and money.

Disable services. Be smart with your downloads. Check md5sums. Set up a firewall. You can test firewalls with ShieldsUp at http://www.grc.com (or similar... that's one that I use and like). According to ShieldsUp, the internet can't see me... and they can't rootkit what they can't see.

frankbell · 02-02-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aocab

If the avgd daemon is not shut down the program's lock file (/opt/avg/av/var/run/avgd.pid)
gets left behind and it will not start on the next boot claiming that it is already running.

Odd. I have run AVG for Linux on several machines (I have it on two now) and never encountered this. I have found it to be a quite unobstrusive program.

I know that many persons do not run an anti-virus program on Linux and they have good reasons. Maybe I'm compulsive, but I believe in taking no chances.