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Forum Discussion
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.
33 Replies
I have the same issue. I rebooted, but it didn't solve the issue.
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That said, the NAS is running an outdated version of ClamAV (version 0.103.7). ClamAV has said that after 14 September 2025 they might block AV updates for this outdated version.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
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.
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.
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.
I meant to say manually from ClamAV myself as I agree that ReadyNAS are end-of-life, I suspect they won't provide an update?
Thanks for the clarity - now it all makes sense. Pretty annoying as my ReadyNAS 424 is relatively new and working well. Very frustrating. Maybe next time I won't buy Netgear as the support for models seems to fade very quickly compared to some of their competitors.
I'm running a ReadyNAS PRO Business with 6.10.8, and a ReadyNAS 516 with 6.10.10. Would like to know if a third-party anti-virus app can be installed on my ReadyNAS units. If not, can I get a third-party anti-virus to scan the units externally from a connected computer?
Can someone can provide guidance on how to update ClamAV on your NAS? I'm not a software eng.
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.
I have an ancient (2010) ReadyNas Ultra 4 on firmware 6.10.10 that I ONLY use as a backup destination for a QNAP. LIke the OP and others, I started getting the ClamAV errors in October. Thanks StephenB for the explanation.
I think I will just keep using it until it dies (it may outlive me). Yeah, it's painfully slow, but I hardly ever need to to actually access it. What a tank of a NAS. I back up to Backblaze and air-gapped SSDs as well, but using rsync with snapshots turned on seems like a great use off it.
Am I crazy?
I get that vendors have to have a EOL for support. Heck, if it was Google, it would have been bricked a decade ago.
Am I crazy?
I don't think so. My main NAS is an RN526, and I am planning to continue to use it indefinitely. It is fast enough for my needs, and not on the internet - so the lack of security updates shouldn't be a problem.
I am not too bothered by the AV error definitiion, but it would have been nice to keep the "apps", as the apps would be "usable" on the ReadyNAS (Even if the firmware and AV were discontinued) or at least a way to install an alternative AV, as I am sure even with the ReadyNas reaching end of life support, many units will run for ages and years. Mine is actually "young" as it is probably just 1-2 years old.
Hi StephenB , so what are the recommended settings for the AV going forward? Specifically the only two settings I'm aware of, "Enable real-time antivirus scanning" and "Protect ReadyNAS OS". Mine are as shown, which is giving me an error message every day as it fails to download an updated AV file. Would like those messages to stop, but the options are confusing - if I disable real-time scanning, doesn't that stop both AV update searches AND general AV scanning? I would guess having AV scanning still working, even with an old signature, is better than disabling AV scanning altogether... ?
so what are the recommended settings for the AV going forward?
No recommendations from me.
That said, I've had it turned off for some years now. If you leave it enabled you will get the errors when the system tries to update the definitions.
stopping CLAMAV of telling me the every time 'Antivirus scanner definition file update failed due to download failure', I entered the following command via a SSH-connection:
systemctl stop --now clamav-freshclam.timerstopping CLAMAV of telling me the every time 'Antivirus scanner definition file update failed due to download failure', I entered the following command via a SSH-connection:
systemctl stop --now clamav-freshclam.timerThat will stop the definition updates, but you will need to redo it every time the system boots.
If you add
systemctl disable clamav-freshclam.timerit should remain off even after a reboot.
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