Sophos Anti-Virus: What the version number means

IMPORTANT: This article describes the version numbering system used for Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows, prior to April 2010.

With the release of Endpoint Security and Control version 9.0.5 (April 2010) and Sophos Anti-Virus version 7.6.20 (May 2010) the way in which version numbers are applied to monthly updates has changed. Refer to the knowledgebase article Changes to the way version numbers increment on monthly updates

Other products, e.g. PureMessage for Windows/Exchange, have their own version and release numbers.

Versions 4.5.0 and 5.0.0 and above

The name of each product incorporates a version number in the format X.Y.Z For example, Sophos Anti-Virus 4.5.0.
The version number changes when the following updates are made to the software:

• When significant new features are added to existing software, the first digit 'X' increases.
• When some new features are added to the software, the second digit 'Y' increases.
• When a maintenance version of the software is released which incorporates a patch or a fix, but no new features are added, the third digit 'Z' increases.
• When a new version of the Sophos Anti-Virus engine is released, the third digit 'Z' increases.

Earlier versions of Sophos Anti-Virus

The Sophos Anti-Virus virus data version number for all platforms increments by one each month. Any additional software updates are also indicated. For example, 3.88.1 (December 2004), 3.89.0 (January 2005). In 3.88.1:

• 3 is the main Sophos Anti-Virus version number
• .88 is the virus data version number
• .1 is the software update version number.

For example, in December 2004, the Sophos Anti-Virus version was set to 3.88.0 for all platforms and the virus data version was set to 3.88. If a software update was issued on a particular platform, the Sophos Anti-Virus version would become 3.88.1 for the first update, 3.88.2 for the second update, etc. In January 2005, when the virus data number incremented to 3.89, all Sophos Anti-Virus versions were set to 3.89.0.