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Forum Discussion
RichardB56
Oct 03, 2025Apprentice
RN212 Cannot Update Virus definitions
I have an RN212 with firmware 6.10.10.
It has been working well for a couple of months.
2 days ago, I'm getting the below error message.
The NAS is on the network and accessible without issues. I just cannot update the Virus definitions anymore.
10 Replies
- aflorindiAspirant
I have the same issue. I rebooted, but it didn't solve the issue.
- StephenBGuru - Experienced User
RichardB56 wrote:
I just cannot update the Virus definitions anymore.
Your screen shot is showing that you cannot check for updates of the NAS firmware. That is a well known problem here, as Netgear took down the server several months ago.
That error screen is NOT about updating the antivirus definitions. The definitions are updated automatically, and there is no manual control to update them in the web ui.
That said, the NAS is running an outdated version of ClamAV (version 0.103.7). ClamAV has said that after 14 September 2025 they might block AV updates for this outdated version.
They appear to have done that, since when I manually try to update my definitions I get a 403 (forbidden) error.
No idea if Netgear will release a update for ClamAV - but since all ReadyNAS are end-of-life, I suspect they won't do that.
Thats annoying as the NAS is a good device and I have never had any problems with it, I am not bothered about new firmware as its stable enough, but an AV is good to have if built in.
I noticed also there are no "Apps" you can install as I assume they are also integrated into the "original server which supplied updates and firmware" as I get the same error about unable to connect to the server that hosts the updates which I understand is because there are no newer firmware releases.
Is there any way to add in Clam AV (newer version) from sh or bash script or get the NAS to use that to call to the local install alternative AV? As Clam is supplying the definitions, would it worth while contacting their support to ask if they can push an update to Netgear with the newer AV Clam Release - ? I am guessing as I have had updates up to and including the 30th, they were still coming through even with the main Netgear ReadyNAS servers no longer being avail
- StephenBGuru - Experienced User
ChrisKing wrote:
I noticed also there are no "Apps" you can install as I assume they are also integrated into the "original server which supplied updates and firmware" as I get the same error about unable to connect to the server that hosts the updates which I understand is because there are no newer firmware releases.
There are actually two servers they shut down. First they shut down the server that pushes firmware updates (resulting in the error messages when folks check manually). After that, they shut down apt.readynas.com, which is where the Netgear ReadyNAS apps and libraries were hosted.
ChrisKing wrote:
Is there any way to add in Clam AV (newer version) from sh
No easy way. Netgear included ClamAV in their distro (now taken down). The current version would have to be rebuilt from source. I don't know if that is possible or not - it's not something I've ever tried.
As far as alternatives, ReadyNAS also using an outdated version of Debian (version 8 - Jessie). So any package would need to be compatible with that.
ChrisKing wrote:
As Clam is supplying the definitions, would it worth while contacting their support to ask if they can push an update to Netgear with the newer AV Clam Release - ? I am guessing as I have had updates up to and including the 30th, they were still coming through even with the main Netgear ReadyNAS servers no longer being avai
ClamAV was only pushing the definition updates. A year ago they put folks using 0.103.7 on notice, saying that the definition updates would stop in Sep 2025. You could certainly contact them, but I suspect they won't help.
The software itself was distributed by Netgear, and I believe Netgear built from ClamAV source. ClamAV wouldn't be able to build it without Netgear's help.
- aflorindiAspirant
Can someone can provide guidance on how to update ClamAV on your NAS? I'm not a software eng.
- StephenBGuru - Experienced User
aflorindi wrote:
Can someone can provide guidance on how to update ClamAV on your NAS? I'm not a software eng.
You can't. It was built from source by Netgear, and they have taken down their repositories.
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