freshclam(1)

NAME

freshclam - update virus databases

SYNOPSIS

freshclam [options]

DESCRIPTION

freshclam is a virus database update tool for ClamAV.

OPTIONS

Freshclam reads its configuration from freshclam.conf. The settings can be overwritten with command line options.

-h, --help
    Output help information and exit.

-V, --version
    Print version number and exit.

-v, --verbose
    Be verbose. This option causes freshclam to print much additional information.

--quiet
    Be quiet - output only error messages.

--no-warnings
    Don't print and log warnings.

-v, --debug
    Enable debug messages from LibClamAV.

--stdout
    Write all messages to stdout.

-l FILE, --log=FILE
    Write download report to FILE.

--datadir=DIRECTORY
    Install new database in DIRECTORY. The directory must be writable for the '@CLAMAVUSER@' user or unprivileged user running freshclam.

-u USER, --user USER
    Run as USER. By default (when started by root) freshclam drops privileges and operates as the '@CLAMAVUSER@' user.

-d, --daemon
    Run in a daemon mode. This option requires --checks. -p FILE, --pid=FILE Write daemon's pid to FILE.

--no-dns
    This option forces old non-DNS verification method (without a TTL delay).

-c #n, --checks=#n
    Check #n times per day for a new database. #n must be between 1 and 50.

--daemon-notify=/path/to/clamd.conf
    Notify the daemon about the new database. By default it reads a hardcoded config file but you can use a different one. Both local and TCP sockets are supported.

-a IP, --local-address=IP
    Use (local) IP for HTTP downloads. Useful for multi-homed systems. If binding fails for whatever reason, a warning is issued and freshclam behaves like without this flag.

--on-error-execute=COMMAND
    Execute COMMAND if error occurred. Remember, that virus database freshness is the most important thing in anti-virus system. With this option freshclam can alert you (eg. send SMS) when something is going wrong.

--on-update-execute=COMMAND
    Execute COMMAND after successful update.

--on-outdated-execute=COMMAND
    Execute COMMAND when freshclam reports outdated version. In the command string %v will be replaced by the new version number.

--list-mirrors
    Print mirror details from mirrors.dat (cache file for the mirror manager).

--submit-stats[=/path/to/clamd.conf]
    Upload detection statistics to the ClamAV Project (see freshclam.conf(5):SubmitDetectionStats for more details). No database update will be performed. This option only works in the interactive mode.

EXAMPLES

(0) Download database to default directory:
    freshclam

(1) Download database to current directory:
    freshclam --datadir=.

(2) Run as a daemon and check 2 times per day for new database:
    freshclam -d -c 2

RETURN CODES
Some return codes of freshclam can be overwritten with a built-in command EXIT_n which can be passed to --on-*-execute, eg. --on-update-execute=EXIT_1 will force freshclam to always return 1 after successful database update.

0 : Database is up-to-date or successfully updated.

40: Unknown option passed.

50: Can't change directory.

51: Can't check MD5 sum.

52: Connection (network) problem.

53: Can't unlink file.

54: MD5 or digital signature verification error.

55: Error reading file.

56: Config file error.

57: Can't create new file.

58: Can't read database from remote server.

59: Mirrors are not fully synchronized (try again later).

60: Can't get information about '@CLAMAVUSER@' user from /etc/passwd.

61: Can't drop privileges.

62: Can't initialize logger.

FILES

@CFGDIR@/freshclam.conf

CREDITS
Please check the full documentation for credits.

AUTHOR

Tomasz Kojm <tkojm@clamav.net>

SEE ALSO

freshclam.conf(5), clamd(8), clamd.conf(5), clamscan(1)