OWSUG.ca

I have looked at the white papers, technet and google general
searchs...And can't find the answer.

I am looking for how often / when does windows security center forces
your anti-virus software to go check for definition updates.  I know
this use to be controlled by the anti-virus software itself but since
Windows XPsp2 the birth of windows security center, this app has taken
this ability over.

If anyone has an answer, I'd love it.  If I could get some Microsoft
"White Paper" / web articail proving the point.. even better.   I once
was told every 14 days.. but the scource was not "trust worthy" which
is really bad since I am more willing to trust a usenet group over
someone else.

Michael March
michaelmarch@NOgmailSPAM.com

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I'm a Geek and I'm proud!

Michael_March:

I am looking for how often / when does windows security center forces
your anti-virus software to go check for definition updates.  I know
this use to be controlled by the anti-virus software itself but since
Windows XPsp2 the birth of windows security center, this app has taken
this ability over.

Are you talking about OneCare or other AV like McAfee , Symantec, etc.?

When you install a supported anti-virus solution on Windows XPsp2 Windows Security Center takes over the update engine.  It's the one that checks for updates. 

When using Norton as an example. Not tied into Windows Security Center, I was able to force a definition update.

 I found on some other website, not from Microsoft :( that defs are checked on bootup/login and on a daily basis.. But I'm looking for somthing little more concrete then a blog posting.  I scoured Technet and found nothing but a sales pitch on that "Windows Security Center" is awsome for maintaing your anti-virus software, firewall, etc...

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I'm a Geek and I'm proud!

Michael_March:

When you install a supported anti-virus solution on Windows XPsp2 Windows Security Center takes over the update engine.  It's the one that checks for updates. 

I don't think that it does. I have McAfee 7 and McAfee 8 installed on my PCs and they update as per my schedule. Noon everyday.

 

Michael_March:

When using Norton as an example. Not tied into Windows Security Center, I was able to force a definition update.

 I found on some other website, not from Microsoft :( that defs are checked on bootup/login and on a daily basis.. But I'm looking for somthing little more concrete then a blog posting.  I scoured Technet and found nothing but a sales pitch on that "Windows Security Center" is awsome for maintaing your anti-virus software, firewall, etc...

 

This might help a bit.  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883792

 

 

Been there and done that.. read it all.  Nothing there. What I am looking for is more behind the scene info.

 

Thanks.

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I'm a Geek and I'm proud!

Greetings Michael, I hope this helps you:

 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883792

There is lots of info there. I don't believe that WSC has anything to do with telling the AV programs to get their updates. Each program has their own update features, i.e. Symantec Live Update for which we can tell the programs to fetch updates.

Hi Michael, I snet an email off to a Security expert from MS and this is what his reply was.

 

"The Windows security centre does not actually force the anti-virus update to check for definitions, it simply reports on the status. We created a set of APIs that allow both systems to communicate, but that is as far as it goes with most AV vendors."

 

Garth:

Hi Michael, I snet an email off to a Security expert from MS and this is what his reply was.

 

"The Windows security centre does not actually force the anti-virus update to check for definitions, it simply reports on the status. We created a set of APIs that allow both systems to communicate, but that is as far as it goes with most AV vendors."

 

That looks like a pretty definite answer to me.  

I am curious though, where did you get the info that the security center did take over running dat updates?  I doubt that the AV vendors would ever let that happen. 

Looks good to me.  I was under the impression from everything else I read about WSC that the update engine was taken over.  Seems that is not the case and since the update engine is still controlled by the AV I then have my answer.

Thanks!

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I'm a Geek and I'm proud!