I can't update the clamav antivirus

security antivirus clamav

24,977

I suppose that you cannot update clamav database due to it being locked by running daemon. Presumably Ubuntu proceeds with an automatic update.

To update virus database manually, you have to stop daemon by typing in CLI:

sudo /etc/init.d/clamav-freshclam stop

Now you can update virus signatures:

sudo freshclam -v

Finally, restart daemon with

sudo /etc/init.d/clamav-freshclam start

24,977

Henry WH Hack v3.0b

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Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Henry WH Hack v3.0b over 1 year
I was updating the clamav antivirus defenitons with the sudo freshclam command and the output was:
```
ERROR: /var/log/clamav/freshclam.log is locked by another process
ERROR: Problem with internal logger (UpdateLogFile = /var/log/clamav/freshclam.log).
```
- Admin over 8 years
  
  Also: askubuntu.com/questions/114000/…
Admin over 8 years

You are correct, this error is because the daemon is running. +1 for beating me to the answer. =) By the way, after completing the setup, it will let you run the sudo freshclam.
Admin over 8 years

@Terrance: I'm sure I've also seen this question asked before (I think I may have even answered it), but I can't find it to mark as duplicate...
Admin over 8 years

I know I have answered it too once before. =) I'll take a look.
Admin over 8 years

You actually asked it: askubuntu.com/q/636851/231142
Admin over 8 years

@Terrance: Oh, how funny! :D
j4m3z0r over 8 years

You'd be better off just setting it to cron in the configuration, why set it to deamon if you don't want it all the time?
Christianus over 8 years

I don't value what's better. I answered the question.
Admin over 7 years

I was having the same issue in Ubuntu 16.04 after a fresh install of clamav (without the daemon) and a reboot. Reconfiguring clamav-freshclam, as suggested, fixed the issue.
Admin about 7 years

I need to use this suggestion as well. Needed. askubuntu.com/questions/526317/cant-run-freshclam
rudolfbyker over 5 years

No need to shout :)
noobninja over 4 years

sudo systemctl stop clamav-freshclam then sudo freshclam then sudo systemctl start clamav-freshclam