I Had Avast now Avira Free... Cannot Download AV File Updates

[Michael]

About 6 days ago my avast AV that I had used for years suddenly
refused to connect me to its update server.

I uninstalled Avast had a clean download of Avira but it too refused
to updated AV files (leaving me frozen protection wise back in
November, 2009).

I have disabled both my Sygate Firewall and my Spybot Real Time
Protection with no luck.

Something has clearly infected the dialer (or other connect) on my
computer (Firefox/XP) preventing it from connecting with and receiving
updates for two otherwise fine Free Antivirus programs.

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Michael" <[email protected]>

| About 6 days ago my avast AV that I had used for years suddenly
| refused to connect me to its update server.

| I uninstalled Avast had a clean download of Avira but it too refused
| to updated AV files (leaving me frozen protection wise back in
| November, 2009).

| I have disabled both my Sygate Firewall and my Spybot Real Time
| Protection with no luck.

| Something has clearly infected the dialer (or other connect) on my
| computer (Firefox/XP) preventing it from connecting with and receiving
| updates for two otherwise fine Free Antivirus programs.

| Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Have you at least scanned you PC ?

Have you examined to see if there is a etc/HOSTS file ?

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

So if you had all this stuff going on, how did you get compromised?
Are you running with local admin privs?

 

[Michael]

Response::

I scanned my PC with various detect devices (everything from my Avast
AV before I uninstalled it and replaced it with Avira, to
Superantispyware Free, a-squared free, malwarebytes,etc.). Whatever is
identified as even possibly dangerous I delete.

My fear is that whatever got me--and I have no idea how it slipped
through my many levels of protection--first installed itself on my
computer before all the AV and malware databases even knew about "it"
and as an integral part of its malicious code it blocked all AV and
similar engines from being able to access updaters..

I had no idea the basic updaters(s) all run through the same path thus
all can be disabled or intercepted by this thing. It was my hope that
once I updated any AV file to date I could then identify and remove
the "thing" because by now I'm sure it has been identified. But I'm
frozen to AV files known as of one week ago before "it" struck me.

It appeared first as a "fake" Antivirus Scan Screen (I knew it was not
Avast) on Startup. I did NOT access or use any of the options this
fake thing offered me on Startup, rather deleted it and tried to
delete any file I could find on my computer bearing its suspicious
name [the "fake" AV called itself "glensftav. exe; as stated I thought
I caught it in time but by the time it was there it had already
blocked my ability to find it or have the removal tools to TOTALLY
eradicate it].

Is there any back-door for "updater" connections? I'm really
technically ignorant as you all can tell but I never had anything get
me like this (used AVG, then Avast for years--no issues at all).

I knew I was in big trouble when I uninstalled Avast, substituted
avira but then the brand new AV could not get me updated files despite
propmting me that I needed to update.

I'll look for the "hosts" file as suggested, but to be candid I won't
know what it is or what to do with it even if I find it/them.

Thanks again. .

 

[Buffalo]

Response::

I scanned my PC with various detect devices (everything from my Avast
AV before I uninstalled it and replaced it with Avira, to
Superantispyware Free, a-squared free, malwarebytes,etc.). Whatever is
identified as even possibly dangerous I delete.

My fear is that whatever got me--and I have no idea how it slipped
through my many levels of protection--first installed itself on my
computer before all the AV and malware databases even knew about "it"
and as an integral part of its malicious code it blocked all AV and
similar engines from being able to access updaters..

I had no idea the basic updaters(s) all run through the same path thus
all can be disabled or intercepted by this thing. It was my hope that
once I updated any AV file to date I could then identify and remove
the "thing" because by now I'm sure it has been identified. But I'm
frozen to AV files known as of one week ago before "it" struck me.

It appeared first as a "fake" Antivirus Scan Screen (I knew it was not
Avast) on Startup. I did NOT access or use any of the options this
fake thing offered me on Startup, rather deleted it and tried to
delete any file I could find on my computer bearing its suspicious
name [the "fake" AV called itself "glensftav. exe; as stated I thought
I caught it in time but by the time it was there it had already
blocked my ability to find it or have the removal tools to TOTALLY
eradicate it].

Is there any back-door for "updater" connections? I'm really
technically ignorant as you all can tell but I never had anything get
me like this (used AVG, then Avast for years--no issues at all).

I knew I was in big trouble when I uninstalled Avast, substituted
avira but then the brand new AV could not get me updated files despite
propmting me that I needed to update.

I'll look for the "hosts" file as suggested, but to be candid I won't
know what it is or what to do with it even if I find it/them.

Thanks again. .

Open Avira, click on the Update tab on the top and then choose Manual.
See if that works for you.
Did you try the latest MBAM and the latest SAS?
Buffalo

 

[Michael]

I scanned my PC with various detect devices (everything from my Avast
AV before I uninstalled it and replaced it with Avira, to
Superantispyware Free, a-squared free, malwarebytes,etc.). Whatever is
identified as even possibly dangerous I delete.

My fear is that whatever got me--and I have no idea how it slipped
through my many levels of protection--first installed itself on my
computer before all the AV and malware databases even knew about "it"
and as an integral part of its malicious code it blocked all AV and
similar engines from being able to access updaters..

I had no idea the basic updaters(s) all run through the same path thus
all can be disabled or intercepted by this thing. It was my hope that
once I updated any AV file to date I could then identify and remove
the "thing" because by now I'm sure it has been identified. But I'm
frozen to AV files known as of one week ago before "it" struck me.

It appeared first as a "fake" Antivirus Scan Screen (I knew it was not
Avast) on Startup. I did NOT access or use any of the options this
fake thing offered me on Startup, rather deleted it and tried to
delete any file I could find on my computer bearing its suspicious
name [the "fake" AV called itself "glensftav. exe; as stated I thought
I caught it in time but by the time it was there it had already
blocked my ability to find it or have the removal tools to TOTALLY
eradicate it].

Is there any back-door for "updater" connections? I'm really
technically ignorant as you all can tell but I never had anything get
me like this (used AVG, then Avast for years--no issues at all).

I knew I was in big trouble when I uninstalled Avast, substituted
avira but then the brand new AV could not get me updated files despite
propmting me that I needed to update.

I'll look for the "hosts" file as suggested, but to be candid I won't
know what it is or what to do with it even if I find it/them.

Thanks again. .

Open Avira, click on the Update tab on the top and then choose Manual.
See if that works for you.
Did you try the latest MBAM and the latest SAS?
Buffalo

Buffalo...

I DL what I think is the latest MBAM (I'll scan again soon) and if
SAS=Spybot that has always been updated with real time "protection"
enabled too.

Right now I was able to get the Avira AV "Removal Tool" to do a scan
(presently underway). If I am lucky the Avira removal tool DOES have
everything updated to date, it will find this "thing" and show me how
to get rid of it. IF I'm lucky!!!Thanks for your other suggestions too.

 

[Buffalo]

"Michael" <[email protected]> wrote in message

About 6 days ago my avast AV that I had used for years suddenly
refused to connect me to its update server.

I uninstalled Avast had a clean download of Avira but it too
refused to updated AV files (leaving me frozen protection wise
back in November, 2009).

I have disabled both my Sygate Firewall and my Spybot Real Time
Protection with no luck.

Something has clearly infected the dialer (or other connect) on my
computer (Firefox/XP) preventing it from connecting with and
receiving updates for two otherwise fine Free Antivirus programs.

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

I scanned my PC with various detect devices (everything from my
Avast AV before I uninstalled it and replaced it with Avira, to
Superantispyware Free, a-squared free, malwarebytes,etc.). Whatever
is identified as even possibly dangerous I delete.

My fear is that whatever got me--and I have no idea how it slipped
through my many levels of protection--first installed itself on my
computer before all the AV and malware databases even knew about
"it" and as an integral part of its malicious code it blocked all
AV and similar engines from being able to access updaters..

I had no idea the basic updaters(s) all run through the same path
thus all can be disabled or intercepted by this thing. It was my
hope that once I updated any AV file to date I could then identify
and remove the "thing" because by now I'm sure it has been
identified. But I'm frozen to AV files known as of one week ago
before "it" struck me.

It appeared first as a "fake" Antivirus Scan Screen (I knew it was
not Avast) on Startup. I did NOT access or use any of the options
this fake thing offered me on Startup, rather deleted it and tried
to delete any file I could find on my computer bearing its
suspicious name [the "fake" AV called itself "glensftav. exe; as
stated I thought I caught it in time but by the time it was there
it had already blocked my ability to find it or have the removal
tools to TOTALLY eradicate it].

Is there any back-door for "updater" connections? I'm really
technically ignorant as you all can tell but I never had anything
get me like this (used AVG, then Avast for years--no issues at all).

I knew I was in big trouble when I uninstalled Avast, substituted
avira but then the brand new AV could not get me updated files
despite propmting me that I needed to update.

I'll look for the "hosts" file as suggested, but to be candid I
won't know what it is or what to do with it even if I find it/them.

Thanks again. .

Open Avira, click on the Update tab on the top and then choose
Manual. See if that works for you.
Did you try the latest MBAM and the latest SAS?
Buffalo

Buffalo...

I DL what I think is the latest MBAM (I'll scan again soon) and if
SAS=Spybot that has always been updated with real time "protection"
enabled too.

Right now I was able to get the Avira AV "Removal Tool" to do a scan
(presently underway). If I am lucky the Avira removal tool DOES have
everything updated to date, it will find this "thing" and show me how
to get rid of it. IF I'm lucky!!!Thanks for your other suggestions
too.

SAS is SuperAntispyware.
Hoping for the best.
Buffalo

 

[Michael]

Michael wrote:
"Michael" <[email protected]> wrote in message

About 6 days ago my avast AV that I had used for years suddenly
refused to connect me to its update server.
I uninstalled Avast had a clean download of Avira but it too
refused to updated AV files (leaving me frozen protection wise
back in November, 2009).
I have disabled both my Sygate Firewall and my Spybot Real Time
Protection with no luck.
Something has clearly infected the dialer (or other connect) on my
computer (Firefox/XP) preventing it from connecting with and
receiving updates for two otherwise fine Free Antivirus programs.
Any assistance greatly appreciated.
Response::
I scanned my PC with various detect devices (everything from my
Avast AV before I uninstalled it and replaced it with Avira, to
Superantispyware Free, a-squared free, malwarebytes,etc.). Whatever
is identified as even possibly dangerous I delete.
My fear is that whatever got me--and I have no idea how it slipped
through my many levels of protection--first installed itself on my
computer before all the AV and malware databases even knew about
"it" and as an integral part of its malicious code it blocked all
AV and similar engines from being able to access updaters..
I had no idea the basic updaters(s) all run through the same path
thus all can be disabled or intercepted by this thing. It was my
hope that once I updated any AV file to date I could then identify
and remove the "thing" because by now I'm sure it has been
identified. But I'm frozen to AV files known as of one week ago
before "it" struck me.
It appeared first as a "fake" Antivirus Scan Screen (I knew it was
not Avast) on Startup. I did NOT access or use any of the options
this fake thing offered me on Startup, rather deleted it and tried
to delete any file I could find on my computer bearing its
suspicious name [the "fake" AV called itself "glensftav. exe; as
stated I thought I caught it in time but by the time it was there
it had already blocked my ability to find it or have the removal
tools to TOTALLY eradicate it].
Is there any back-door for "updater" connections? I'm really
technically ignorant as you all can tell but I never had anything
get me like this (used AVG, then Avast for years--no issues at all).
I knew I was in big trouble when I uninstalled Avast, substituted
avira but then the brand new AV could not get me updated files
despite propmting me that I needed to update.
I'll look for the "hosts" file as suggested, but to be candid I
won't know what it is or what to do with it even if I find it/them.
Thanks again. .
Open Avira, click on the Update tab on the top and then choose
Manual. See if that works for you.
Did you try the latest MBAM and the latest SAS?
Buffalo

Buffalo...

I DL what I think is the latest MBAM (I'll scan again soon) and if
SAS=Spybot that has always been updated with real time "protection"
enabled too.

Right now I was able to get the Avira AV "Removal Tool" to do a scan
(presently underway). If I am lucky the Avira removal tool DOES have
everything updated to date, it will find this "thing" and show me how
to get rid of it. IF I'm lucky!!!Thanks for your other suggestions
too.

SAS is SuperAntispyware.
Hoping for the best.
Buffalo

Buffalo, Bad Boy...

I finally realized SAS=Super AS. Yes I had it but its updater too is
blocked. Found an interesting site/DL called "Remove Fake Anti-
Virus" (V. 1. 56) which I just DL'd from majorgeeks. I will run a scan
with that tool, and then perhaps try Norton's 30 day Free Trial.

Of course the key remains whatever DAT files I can access are
completely updated AND will recognize and/or completely remove this
"thing". if detected. Ongoing thanks (I hope I'm not violating posting
rules by my repetitive but 100% sincere thank yous!!)

 

[Buffalo]

Michael wrote:
[snip]

Buffalo, Bad Boy...

I finally realized SAS=Super AS. Yes I had it but its updater too is
blocked. Found an interesting site/DL called "Remove Fake Anti-
Virus" (V. 1. 56) which I just DL'd from majorgeeks. I will run a scan
with that tool, and then perhaps try Norton's 30 day Free Trial.

Of course the key remains whatever DAT files I can access are
completely updated AND will recognize and/or completely remove this
"thing". if detected. Ongoing thanks (I hope I'm not violating posting
rules by my repetitive but 100% sincere thank yous!!)

Hopefully it will work out well.
Now, sit back and enjoy the Super Bowl.
Buffalo

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Michael" <[email protected]>

| Buffalo, Bad Boy...

| I finally realized SAS=Super AS. Yes I had it but its updater too is
| blocked. Found an interesting site/DL called "Remove Fake Anti-
| Virus" (V. 1. 56) which I just DL'd from majorgeeks. I will run a scan
| with that tool, and then perhaps try Norton's 30 day Free Trial.

| Of course the key remains whatever DAT files I can access are
| completely updated AND will recognize and/or completely remove this
| "thing". if detected. Ongoing thanks (I hope I'm not violating posting
| rules by my repetitive but 100% sincere thank yous!!)

Please do NOT install Norton 360.

You have already noted you had Avast and then went to Avira. If you keep installing and
uninstalling software willy-nilly like that you will introduce instability in your
computer.

Choose ONE anti virus application and stick with it. If you have problems accessing
security sites deal directly with that problem NOT installing and subsequently removing
fully installed anti virus applications. Your choise og Avira AntiVir is a good one. IFF
and you can't get updates, the objective is to resolve that issue.

 

[Bill]

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Microsoft offers a free anti-virus and firewall, both of which appear to
be sufficient.

 

[David W. Hodgins]

Microsoft offers a free anti-virus and firewall, both of which appear to
be sufficient.

That would be hilarious, if there were not so many fools who
thought the same.

Microsoft is excellent at marketing, and using illegal methods
to prevent their competitors from competing with them.

They have never been good at writing high quality software.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSAV for a bit of history
regarding M$ and anti-virus software. Why would you even
think of trusting the company that provided the virus
susceptible software, to be capable of providing anti virus
software?

Microsoft is not capable of writing secure software. They
never have been, and never will be. They are the primary
reason the net has so many problems with spam, coming from
botnets using computers run by m$ users. Microsoft is the
reason criminal organizations are able to steal millions of
credit card numbers, etc.

In my opinion, m$ should be held liable for the damage
they have caused. That will never happen, but I wish it
would. Gates should be forced into bankruptcy, in order
to pay for trying to fix the mess he, and his company,
has caused. While the press often credits m$ for getting
the average non-computer literate user to use computers,
they should also be blamed for making all financial and
personal info of those users, available to criminals.

In my opinion, Microsoft is a criminal organization.

If you want to have a reasonably secure computer system,
don't even think of running anything written by m$ on it.

Dave Hodgins

 

[Michael]

From: "Michael" <[email protected]>

| Buffalo, Bad Boy...

| I finally realized SAS=Super AS. Yes I had it but its updater too is
| blocked. Found an interesting site/DL called "Remove Fake Anti-
| Virus" (V. 1. 56) which I just DL'd from majorgeeks. I will run a scan
| with that tool, and then perhaps try Norton's 30 day Free Trial.

| Of course the key remains whatever DAT files I can access are
| completely updated AND will recognize and/or completely remove this
| "thing". if detected. Ongoing thanks (I hope I'm not violating posting
| rules by my repetitive but 100% sincere thank yous!!)

Please do NOT install Norton 360.

You have already noted you had Avast and then went to Avira.  If you keep installing and
uninstalling software willy-nilly like that you will introduce instability in your
computer.

Choose ONE anti virus application and stick with it.  If you have problems accessing
security sites deal directly with that problem NOT installing and subsequently removing
fully installed anti virus applications.  Your choise og Avira AntiVir is a good one.  IFF
and you can't get updates, the objective is to resolve that issue.

Dave

Good suggestion. I will focus on the problem of can't download updates
for any AV or Anti-Malware Product (rather than constantly Installing/
Uninstalling).

****IF I can manually get completely updated AV dat files from avira's
website burned onto a CD from another computer--assuming you guys
think that might work--do I simply insert CD with updated files from
the other (clean) computer into this (compromised) CD drive to
identify and eradicate the invader or is not that "simple"?*****

Once I somehow get the updated files--by now I assume they have all
identified this "thing" --I hope it will then be completely removable
and in the future I will be able to get updates routinely when
prompted(or automatically). Please let me know your thoughts.

I guess I'm still having trouble realizing that ALL update functions
from all AVs and all A-Malwares can be completely blocked from
working. I had just assumed they all are updated via different paths/
protocols/urls or whatever. Ongoing thanks guys.

 

[Buffalo]

Michael wrote:
[snip]

I guess I'm still having trouble realizing that ALL update functions
from all AVs and all A-Malwares can be completely blocked from
working. I had just assumed they all are updated via different paths/
protocols/urls or whatever. Ongoing thanks guys.

Have you tried to manually update from the Avira Desktop? Clicking on the
Update tab on top and then selecting Manual after going to the Avira site
and manually downloading the latest definitions?
Buffalo

If you dl and install the latest version of MBAM, it should contain about
the latest updates.

Buffalo

PS: http://www.avira.com/en/support/kbdetails.php?id=95

tells you how to update manually.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Michael" <[email protected]>

| Dave

| Good suggestion. I will focus on the problem of can't download updates
| for any AV or Anti-Malware Product (rather than constantly Installing/
| Uninstalling).

| ****IF I can manually get completely updated AV dat files from avira's
| website burned onto a CD from another computer--assuming you guys
| think that might work--do I simply insert CD with updated files from
| the other (clean) computer into this (compromised) CD drive to
| identify and eradicate the invader or is not that "simple"?*****

| Once I somehow get the updated files--by now I assume they have all
| identified this "thing" --I hope it will then be completely removable
| and in the future I will be able to get updates routinely when
| prompted(or automatically). Please let me know your thoughts.

| I guess I'm still having trouble realizing that ALL update functions
| from all AVs and all A-Malwares can be completely blocked from
| working. I had just assumed they all are updated via different paths/
| protocols/urls or whatever. Ongoing thanks guys.

Suggestion:

Get guided assistance with the problem.

Create an account at the SkyKiller forum. Post a full explanation of your problem and
what you have done to date in one of the below expert forums...

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0

Tell 'em I suggested you post there.

 

[Michael]

From: "Michael" <[email protected]>

| Dave

| Good suggestion. I will focus on the problem of can't download updates
| for any AV or Anti-Malware Product (rather than constantly Installing/
| Uninstalling).

| ****IF I can manually get completely updated AV dat files from avira's
| website burned onto a CD from another computer--assuming you guys
| think that might work--do I simply insert CD with updated files from
| the other (clean) computer into this (compromised) CD drive to
| identify and eradicate the invader or is not that "simple"?*****

| Once I somehow get the updated files--by now I assume they have all
| identified this "thing" --I hope it will then be completely removable
| and in the future I will be able to get updates routinely when
| prompted(or automatically). Please let me know your thoughts.

| I guess I'm still having trouble realizing that ALL update functions
| from all AVs and all A-Malwares can be completely blocked from
| working. I had just assumed they all are updated via different paths/
| protocols/urls or whatever.  Ongoing thanks guys.

Suggestion:

Get guided assistance with the problem.

Create an account at the SkyKiller forum.  Post a full explanation of your problem and
what you have done to date in one of the below expert forums...

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0

Tell 'em I suggested you post there.

I think I'm getting closer to solution....again. I went to Avira
homepage and downloaded a zip file called AntiVir VDF update (so
called multiple VDF update with up to 32 files) It is described as an
incremental Antivirus Update to be used with my already installed
Avira AV Personal Product.

But now what (I told you guys I'm help/clue less)?

I extracted the file and saved it to my documents but how do I get
these now apparently updated dat files (through today) to integrate
with my Avira engine, then do a search, presumably/hopefully find the
"thing" and then eradicate it, so that future (automatic) updates will
be performed without having the file update function disabled?

I have updated DAT files from Avira but no idea what to do next. My
usual gracious thanks in advance (have to sign off for the evening
now).

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Michael" <[email protected]>



| I think I'm getting closer to solution....again. I went to Avira
| homepage and downloaded a zip file called AntiVir VDF update (so
| called multiple VDF update with up to 32 files) It is described as an
| incremental Antivirus Update to be used with my already installed
| Avira AV Personal Product.

| But now what (I told you guys I'm help/clue less)?

| I extracted the file and saved it to my documents but how do I get
| these now apparently updated dat files (through today) to integrate
| with my Avira engine, then do a search, presumably/hopefully find the
| "thing" and then eradicate it, so that future (automatic) updates will
| be performed without having the file update function disabled?

| I have updated DAT files from Avira but no idea what to do next. My
| usual gracious thanks in advance (have to sign off for the evening
| now).

Video based instructions

 

[Buffalo]

I think I'm getting closer to solution....again. I went to Avira
homepage and downloaded a zip file called AntiVir VDF update (so
called multiple VDF update with up to 32 files) It is described as an
incremental Antivirus Update to be used with my already installed
Avira AV Personal Product.

But now what (I told you guys I'm help/clue less)?

I extracted the file and saved it to my documents but how do I get
these now apparently updated dat files (through today) to integrate
with my Avira engine, then do a search, presumably/hopefully find the
"thing" and then eradicate it, so that future (automatic) updates will
be performed without having the file update function disabled?

I have updated DAT files from Avira but no idea what to do next. My
usual gracious thanks in advance (have to sign off for the evening
now).

Do not unzip or unpack the downloaded file. Start Avira and click on the
Update tab on top and then choose Manual.
A box will open up and just point it to where you saved that file. Then
select Open and it should update automatically.
Buffalo
PS: Do not unpack or unzip the downloaded file first.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

On Feb 8, 4:41 pm, "David H. Lipman" <[email protected]>
But now what (I told you guys I'm help/clue less)?

Wipe and reinstall and start over... Sorry.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Installing any AV on the OS that is compromised while it is compromised
is never a good idea. Did you actually not know that?

You need to scan your machine with a different OS or do a wipe and
reinstall.
So remove the HD connect it via USB on another machine that has current AV.
Or reboot with an AVAST bart disk or something or wipe and reinstall.

If none of this makes sense, pay a professional $150 an hour to get you
sorted out.

About 6 days ago my avast AV that I had used for years suddenly
refused to connect me to its update server.

I uninstalled Avast had a clean download of Avira but it too refused
to updated AV files (leaving me frozen protection wise back in
November, 2009).

I have disabled both my Sygate Firewall and my Spybot Real Time
Protection with no luck.

Something has clearly infected the dialer (or other connect) on my
computer (Firefox/XP) preventing it from connecting with and
receiving updates for two otherwise fine Free Antivirus programs.

Any assistance greatly appreciated.


Response::

I scanned my PC with various detect devices (everything from my Avast
AV before I uninstalled it and replaced it with Avira, to
Superantispyware Free, a-squared free, malwarebytes,etc.). Whatever is
identified as even possibly dangerous I delete.

My fear is that whatever got me--and I have no idea how it slipped
through my many levels of protection--first installed itself on my
computer before all the AV and malware databases even knew about "it"
and as an integral part of its malicious code it blocked all AV and
similar engines from being able to access updaters..

I had no idea the basic updaters(s) all run through the same path thus
all can be disabled or intercepted by this thing. It was my hope that
once I updated any AV file to date I could then identify and remove
the "thing" because by now I'm sure it has been identified. But I'm
frozen to AV files known as of one week ago before "it" struck me.

It appeared first as a "fake" Antivirus Scan Screen (I knew it was not
Avast) on Startup. I did NOT access or use any of the options this
fake thing offered me on Startup, rather deleted it and tried to
delete any file I could find on my computer bearing its suspicious
name [the "fake" AV called itself "glensftav. exe; as stated I thought
I caught it in time but by the time it was there it had already
blocked my ability to find it or have the removal tools to TOTALLY
eradicate it].

Is there any back-door for "updater" connections? I'm really
technically ignorant as you all can tell but I never had anything get
me like this (used AVG, then Avast for years--no issues at all).

I knew I was in big trouble when I uninstalled Avast, substituted
avira but then the brand new AV could not get me updated files despite
propmting me that I needed to update.

I'll look for the "hosts" file as suggested, but to be candid I won't
know what it is or what to do with it even if I find it/them.

Thanks again. .

Open Avira, click on the Update tab on the top and then choose Manual.
See if that works for you.
Did you try the latest MBAM and the latest SAS?
Buffalo

Have you considered installing Norton Internet Security 2010 - 30 day
trial version just as an aid in this matter? It may well uncover
something the other products have overlooked.