Updating Application Signature Database
Application Control uses signatures to identify and block the applications. You must update the application signatures frequently so that Application Control can identify the latest applications. You can automatically check for signature updates from Cisco’s signature server on a weekly basis or manually check for signature updates at any time by clicking Check for Update Now. If a newer signature file is available on the server, the new signature file will be automatically downloaded to your device.
You can also first download the latest signature file from Cisco’s signature server to your local PC, and then manually update the application signatures through the Configuration Utility.
A valid Cisco.com account is required to check for signature updates from Cisco’s signature server. Go to the Device Management > Cisco Services & Support > Cisco.com Account page to configure your Cisco.com account credentials on the security appliance. See Configuring Cisco.com Account, page 356.
Note Application Control and IPS use the same signature database. Updating the application signatures will also update the IPS signatures at the same time.
1. Click Security Services > Application Control > Application Control Settings.
2. In the Update Signature Database area, the following information is displayed:
• Last Check: The date and time of the last check.
• Last Update: The date and time of the last successful update when the signature file is updated successfully.
• Version: The version number of the application signature file that is currently used on the security appliance.
3. To automatically update the application signatures, perform the following steps:
a. In the Auto Update area, click On to automatically check for signature updates from Cisco’s signature server every Monday at 00:00.
b. Click Save to apply your settings.
4. To manually update the application signatures at any time, click Check for Update Now to check for signature updates from Cisco’s signature server immediately.
You can also click Check for Updates Now from the Security Services > Dashboard page to manually update the application signatures.
5. To manually update the application signatures from your local PC, perform the following steps:
a. You must first download the application signature file from Cisco’s signature server to your local PC.
b. In the Manually Update Signature Database area, click Browse to locate and select the signature file from your local PC.