Avira Premium or Avira Suite

[huntnyc]

Unless things change, I will probably be buying one of these two, Premium or Suite. Trying to make up my mind. Do not use a router but just have a broadband PC card connection. Have been using Comodo or Windows XP Firewall in the past with Nod32. But having beta tested the suite I like its performance on my laptop.

Antispam is working great but wish it were integrated with a The Bat! plugin.

Firewall seems ok but is it worth paying the extra money instead of just using a free firewall?

I just see the firewall and antispam as being different from the premium edition which is fairly reasonably priced. Could I get your opinions, the suite or premium - what factors should be considered? Does the "extra" protection the suite offers make that much of a diffference ocmpared to said alternatives with premium? Thanks.

Gary

[lodore]

well if the suite works for you buy it.
i have to strongly reccomend you to buy a firewalled router thou.
firewalled routers are very useful.
lodore

[coldplay]

Avira Premium has my vote.

suite wise , I would choose the Russian stuff.

[huntnyc]

-{ Quote: "Avira Premium has my vote.

suite wise , I would choose the Russian stuff." }-

Yes, I agree with you and the only reason I am leaning away from using my cheap KIS license is my Opera web browsing is a step slow. Maybe it is the antihacker firewall instead of web av. AH set on low security. All else with it seemed fine but my net connection is not really fast as it is just convenient, carry it around in my laptop.

Gary

[JerryM]

I trialed the suite several months ago. I liked it, and would probably opt for the suite.
However, if you have a good firewall that you like, and something like SuperAntiSpyware, the AV plus those will give as much protection I think.

Right now I am using the 6 months free trial of AntiVir Premium with the applications you see on my signature, and am happy with it. I did disable AVGAS, and SAS to use on-demand for now.

Best,
Jerry

[huntnyc]

I have a license for LnS too Jerry. Always liked it but know it does not do well in leaktests. But, still i could use my 2.06.

However, again, let me emphasize, I am using the suite beta and it is running great. So, choosing one over the other for me is not implying that either one is not good just what might be the bst choice overall when considering all factors, what you get for the price as compared to what I can run with Premim compared to having the suite.

Thanks.

Gary

[JerryM]

-{ Quote: "I have a license for LnS too Jerry. Always liked it but know it does not do well in leaktests. But, still i could use my 2.06.

However, again, let me emphasize, I am using the suite beta and it is running great. So, choosing one over the other for me is not implying that either one is not good just what might be the bst choice overall when considering all factors, what you get for the price as compared to what I can run with Premim compared to having the suite.

Thanks.
Gary" }-


Hi Gary,
I suspect that I will end up with a suite. I am using F-Secure IS on my laptop, and am happy with it. I removed Kerio 2.1.5 when I installed it.

I finally went for the 3 year KIS license, and in time might put it on this machine after I finish the trial of Avira. However, I have not been able to get KAV to run right since MP2, and am gambling that V7 will correct the problems, but maybe not.

I did like AntiVir suite, and it would be a good choice. I am thinking that the price is twice the cost of the AV.
Regards,
Jerry

[coldplay]

-{ Quote: "Yes, I agree with you and the only reason I am leaning away from using my cheap KIS license is my Opera web browsing is a step slow. Maybe it is the antihacker firewall instead of web av. AH set on low security. All else with it seemed fine but my net connection is not really fast as it is just convenient, carry it around in my laptop.

Gary" }-

some sort web shield function cause browser slow in most cases, firewalls do that , too, of course. But I heard Kp makes one of the best firewalls in the world.

[Banshee]

>Firewall seems ok but is it worth paying the extra money instead of just >using a free firewall?



In my opinion no.Definitely No!. There are better ones around. Jetico is one.

[C.S.J]

Premium.

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "Yes, I agree with you and the only reason I am leaning away from using my cheap KIS license is my Opera web browsing is a step slow. Maybe it is the antihacker firewall instead of web av. AH set on low security. All else with it seemed fine but my net connection is not really fast as it is just convenient, carry it around in my laptop.

Gary" }-

Hello Gary,
there are some new network drivers for kis6.0 soon to help fix the lagg with AH
lodore

[trjam]

The Suite.

[JerryM]

BOY! We really helped didn't we?;D

Jerry

[huntnyc]

How would you rate the firewall at this point trijam? Do you believe it is imporiving over initial version? Thanks and I am beginning to agree the suite is just winning me over at this point.

Gary

[JerryM]

Some AV sites show side by side a comparison of their various versions, eg free vs paid. AntiVir doesn't have such a comparison as far as I can find.
Are the differences in the Premium and the suite a firewall, and anti-spyware?

Best,
Jerry

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Some AV sites show side by side a comparison of their various versions, eg free vs paid. AntiVir doesn't have such a comparison as far as I can find.
Are the differences in the Premium and the suite a firewall, and anti-spyware?

Best,
Jerry" }-


Hi JerryM. The difference between the two is the firewall. Both the Premium and the suite have anti-spyware. In the beta suite they have added rootkit detection, and antispam.

[huntnyc]

Will the Premium edition have antispam in the Mailguard also or will that be only in the suite?

Gary

[JerryM]

-{ Quote: "Hi JerryM. The difference between the two is the firewall. Both the Premium and the suite have anti-spyware. In the beta suite they have added rootkit detection, and antispam." }-

Hi Graystoke,

I seem to recall that the rootkit detection will also be added to the Premium. If so one is paying double for the firewall. That may not be all that good a deal??

Thanks for the reply.

Best,
Jerry

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Hi Graystoke,

I seem to recall that the rootkit detection will also be added to the Premium. If so one is paying double for the firewall. That may not be all that good a deal??

Thanks for the reply.

Best,
Jerry" }-


Hi Jerry,

I have to agree with you there. To be honest, I have been thinking of removing Avira's firewall, and installing a stand alone firewall. I never really liked the firewall. Since I'm also a license holder of Avira Premium, when Avira Premium is updated with rootkit detection, I'll probably go with that plus a stand alone firewall.

[Mele20]

Rootkit protection will be in the free version also. The only real difference between the versions is that the free has lousy update servers and shows you ad during update and update is only once a day (although it can be set to more often). Premium adds a mail scanner but for Outlook only and has much better update servers. It is very easy to set the update interval how ever you want it and there is no ad when updating, plus, there is more spyware scanning than in the free. The Suite adds a firewall.

[huntnyc]

But again, do we know if mailguard in Premium will have antispam or just in the suite?

Gary

[JerryM]

-{ Quote: "Hi Jerry,

I have to agree with you there. To be honest, I have been thinking of removing Avira's firewall, and installing a stand alone firewall. I never really liked the firewall. Since I'm also a license holder of Avira Premium, when Avira Premium is updated with rootkit detection, I'll probably go with that plus a stand alone firewall." }-

Hi Graystoke,

When I trialled the suite all ran well. I must confesss that I do not know enough about firewalls to make a good evaluation of one. However, the firewall did not give me any trouble, and learned quickly.
Other than that, I have only used Kerio 2.1 5 and LnS.

Why do you not like the Avira firewall? What is your preference for a firewall?

Thanks,
Jerry

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Hi Graystoke,

When I trialled the suite all ran well. I must confesss that I do not know enough about firewalls to make a good evaluation of one. However, the firewall did not give me any trouble, and learned quickly.
Other than that, I have only used Kerio 2.1 5 and LnS.

Why do you not like the Avira firewall? What is your preference for a firewall?

Thanks,
Jerry" }-


Hi Jerry,

I'm no expert on firewalls either. I will try to explain. I hope it makes some sense. :)

I've run Zone Alarm and Sunbelt Kerio, and Comodo. With ZA and Comodo, besides being asked whether you want to allow or deny an app to connect to the internet, you are asked if you want to give an app server rights. With Sunbelt Kerio, you are asked to allow or deny outgoing and incoming connections. With Avira's firewall, all you are asked is to allow or deny an app to connect to the internet. I never have received a warning about an incoming connection, or an app asking for server rights. This worries me a little. Maybe it's unfounded, but I still wonder why I don't get those types of warnings.

Like I said, I'm not a firewall expert, but there are times I think I would like to have a little more control. I hope I have made myself somewhat clear. Some times it's hard for me to try to explain what I'm thinking. :-\

[JerryM]

Thanks for the reply, Graystoke. I do not remember if I got warnings about incoming connections, but I cannot imagine a firewall that would not do that.

My problems with firewalls are mostly, "someone from 123456776, is wanting to make a connection to 2846352. Do you want to allow it?"
I do not have a clue most of the time who is wanting to make a connection to what.??? ???

Best,
Jerry

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Thanks for the reply, Graystoke. I do not remember if I got warnings about incoming connections, but I cannot imagine a firewall that would not do that.

My problems with firewalls are mostly, "someone from 123456776, is wanting to make a connection to 2846352. Do you want to allow it?"
I do not have a clue most of the time who is wanting to make a connection to what.??? ???

Best,
Jerry" }-


Yeah I know what you mean. :)

When I check Application rules in Avira's firewall, all it shows is the apps name, and that it is allowed. No other info is given. Same thing in the Communication Points section. Maybe an expert in Avira's firewall will come along and clear things up.

[huntnyc]

This is like a revolving door but I am now running what you see in my sig and I like it a lot. The premium edition standalone atinvirus and Look 'n' Stop run smooth and for the price on Antivir Premium seem much better deal to me than the suite.

KIS 6 just slowed down my browsing too much and even if I disabled firewall, probably would have to also disable Web AV as well to get it to working the way I like.

NOD32 2.7 tuns fine but I still prefer Avira's interface over NOD. I really was not that impressed with the 3.0 interface either, the short time I ran the beta.

Will keep running Premium edition and in a few months, make a decision about buying it or not. Thanks again for your comments.

Oh, the Avira suite seems like you are paying so much for firewall and antispam which I don't believe is worth it at this point. But in future, that may change as it is developed more.

Gary

[jaydub]

-{ Quote: "Will keep running Premium edition and in a few months, make a decision about buying it or not. Thanks again for your comments.

Oh, the Avira suite seems like you are paying so much for firewall and antispam which I don't believe is worth it at this point. But in future, that may change as it is developed more.

Gary" }-

Agreed. I too am running Avira PP for a few months and will probably purchase downstream. I really don't see that the suite is worth the extra, especially since the firewall functionality is fairly limited.

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Agreed. I too am running Avira PP for a few months and will probably purchase downstream. I really don't see that the suite is worth the extra, especially since the firewall functionality is fairly limited." }-


I have license for Avira PP, and I'm pretty sure I'll be going that route also when the updated version comes out. I just like having a stand alone firewall. I'm running the beta Avira suite now with the firewall uninstalled and a stand alone firewall up and running. I just feel more comfortable this way.

[VikingStorm]

Does Avira plan on having a Web AV component anytime soon?

[Mele20]

I hope not. I dislike junk that just bogs down the AV. I like Avira precisely because it doesn't have the junk that is in other AV's. It doesn't even have an email scanner unless you use Outlook. I think that is so refreshing.

[FRug]

Mele20: So far Avira has always made such components optional during installation. So I guess it shouldn't be a reason for you to not buy it if they include a http scanner :)

And Avira's MailGuard is independant of any client that you use. It works with Outlook just as well as with Thunderbird or TheBat or whatever else that uses POP3.

[Mele20]

-{ Quote: "Mele20: So far Avira has always made such components optional during installation. So I guess it shouldn't be a reason for you to not buy it if they include a http scanner :)

And Avira's MailGuard is independant of any client that you use. It works with Outlook just as well as with Thunderbird or TheBat or whatever else that uses POP3." }-

It said when I installed Avira Personal Edition Premium (the free 6 month trial mentioned here) recently that MailGuard only works with Outlook. So, that is incorrect? I didn't install it as I don't want my AV scanning Outlook Express. That is a sure fire way to corruption of the data base. But I want to be clear on this as I don't want to tell someone else the wrong thing! I also thought I recalled being told in the Avira forum that the mail scanner is only for Outlook and not for Outlook Express or Thunderbird, etc. I don't need it as my ISP scans all mail incoming and outgoing which I wish they didn't do.

[JerryM]

I use Outlook Express, and AntiVir PP. It scans all incoming emails.
I am not sure if it scans outgoing email.

Regards,
Jerry

[FRug]

I am using it with Tunderbird, so yeah I'm certain. It scans everything coming in via standard POP3. It does not scan outgoing mail(SMTP) or encrypted connections (for example POP3S).

[trjam]

The Suite is the best of all of them. And I may not be an expert, but after trying them all, it still to me, is the best. Now what to do with this 3 year license I have for KIS I dont need?;)

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "The Suite is the best of all of them. And I may not be an expert, but after trying them all, it still to me, is the best. Now what to do with this 3 year license I have for KIS I dont need?;)" }-
hmm dono but someone might like it as a gift......;D
lodore

[lodore]

once ive tested the imaging software i will be beta testing antivir suite again.
the other day when i tryed it i must say its improved quite alot.
it can only get better and better
lodore

[Engelhardt]

I have been trialing Avira SS and can say that it really runs light on my Vista Business ed. system. Does not slow down my web browsing like KIS does. The only complaint I have is the updates seem to follow banking hours. Unlike Kaspersky which it pretty much 24/7. No updates on Sat. or Sun. :o

[Mele20]

Banking hours? No updates on Sat and Sun? How do you have updating configured? I have Avira Premium set to check every one-half hour and it updated several times over the weekend. It updates at all hours. Of course, it doesn't update every half-hour that it checks but it updates quite a few times every 24 hours and perhaps less on the weekends but it does update then. In fact, the ANI update was on the weekend.

[JerryM]

It will be interesting to see how this next major update does. I think the 18th is the date. I hope it is not buggy.
BOY! how I wish KAV would get straight. I realize that no AV is entirely bug free, but Kaspersky since MP2 has been unusable on my computer.

AntiVir is running without any problems, and if it stays so stable, then Kaspersky had better get its act together, or my licenses will go to waste.

Regards,
Jerry

[Engelhardt]

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k177/Kanebrake/11.jpg
Maybe I'm looking at the wrong thing but under Reborts it shows no updates for the weekend. I know it checks but no updates. Where talking the Beta Avira SS for Vista right?

[Graystoke]

I'm running the beta Avira SS, and I just checked the log. It did not have any updates this past weekend. I can't say for sure if it updated on past weekends or not. I'll have to keep an eye on it.

[JerryM]

It does seem strange that the beta would not update. My AA PP, not beta, updated several times both days. ??? ???

Regards,
Jerry

[huntnyc]

I would not really worry too much because of course the beta servers are separate from the reular servers. Whatever is going on release time is soon and I have never had update problems with Avira suite thankfully.

Gary

[bugsy_pal]

May I ask... where do you set the frequency of updates in Premium? I was looking the other day and couldn't find it.

I was having trouble with updates for ages, and ready to give up on this product. Then miraculously, they started working. Not sure if my ISP did something (they say they didn't) but I can get major updates by auto downlaod now.

[huntnyc]

Go under Scheduler tab, right-click Update job and hit edit job and then go through the wizard and choose your changes including frequency.

Gary

[pilotart]

-{ Quote: "I'm running the beta Avira SS, and I just checked the log. It did not have any updates this past weekend. I can't say for sure if it updated on past weekends or not. I'll have to keep an eye on it." }-
The AVIRA History Log Website
(http://www.avira.com/en/threats/section/vdfhistory/index.html) did not update this past weekend even though there were updates released, it shows them now though.

Two updates on a weekend is usual, but there were five, the weekend before, plus a new Hueristic Engine released (rare to happen on a weekend).

They do seem to respond well to a 'need'. :)

[MalwareDie]

-{ Quote: "

Two updates on a weekend is usual, but there were five, the weekend before, plus a new Hueristic Engine released (rare to happen on a weekend).
:)" }-

A new Heuristic Engine was released? Is it only available in beta?

[pilotart]

Was referring to the avewin32.dll usually released a few times a month and the latest now is Search engine: v7.03.01.52 released on Friday the 13th.

They are not listed on 'VDF History' Web Page (http://www.avira.com/en/threats/section/vdfhistory/index.html) but come with normal 'Schedule' Updates.

Would be included with a Manual Update (http://www.avira.com/en/support/vdf_update.html)
(you will notice that there is also a Beta-VDF and Beta-Engine available at bottom of that site).

[MalwareDie]

oh okay

[Graystoke]

I'm running the beta Avira SS. I did a manual update a few minutes ago just for the heck of it. Got four updates. Search engine is now v7.03.01.53.

[huntnyc]

Thanks. Will do it now and I guess this is the relase?

Gary

[Engelhardt]

Thank Graystoke ... just checked to make sure.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k177/Kanebrake/1.jpg

[trjam]

when the dust settles from all the betas, all testing labs will still show Avira at the top. But enjoy the fun and glitsy GUIs. For me, just give me protection without the frigging rainbow.8)

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Thanks. Will do it now and I guess this is the relase?

Gary" }-


-{ Quote: "Thank Graystoke ... just checked to make sure." }-


Your very welcome.


EDIT........Hey huntnyc. Just a small off topic. I see you are from Brooklyn. I was born and raised there until I was fifteen. I lived in the Brownsville section. Just one Brooklyn boy to another. :)

[trjam]

Die hard Yankees fan here in the south. Good to see ARod doing well.

[Graystoke]

Ooops. Double post.

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Die hard Yankees fan here in the south. Good to see ARod doing well." }-


:thumb: :thumb: :)

[huntnyc]

Used to be a real Yankees fan and baseball fan but lost interest a while ago due to theings surrounding the game - strike talk from millionaires and sterioids and so on.

But for those who still like the game, then glad you still can enjoy it. It has been about 8 years I think since I was last in the Stadium and you know I don't mean the Mets ballfield.

Originally from TN, Graystoke but in Brooklyn for almost 20 years now.

Well enough, the Avira suite is just still so smooth and a must for anyone to try and see how you like it.

Gary

[coldplay]

Avira's firewall failed in this test (04/15/07). no comments, judge yourself.

http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/leak-tests-results.php

[bugsy_pal]

-{ Quote: "Go under Scheduler tab, right-click Update job and hit edit job and then go through the wizard and choose your changes including frequency.

Gary" }-


Thanks Gary - got it sorted :)

[smustaca]

-{ Quote: "Hi Jerry,

I'm no expert on firewalls either. I will try to explain. I hope it makes some sense. :)

I've run Zone Alarm and Sunbelt Kerio, and Comodo. With ZA and Comodo, besides being asked whether you want to allow or deny an app to connect to the internet, you are asked if you want to give an app server rights. With Sunbelt Kerio, you are asked to allow or deny outgoing and incoming connections. With Avira's firewall, all you are asked is to allow or deny an app to connect to the internet. I never have received a warning about an incoming connection, or an app asking for server rights. This worries me a little. Maybe it's unfounded, but I still wonder why I don't get those types of warnings.

Like I said, I'm not a firewall expert, but there are times I think I would like to have a little more control. I hope I have made myself somewhat clear. Some times it's hard for me to try to explain what I'm thinking. :-\" }-

Hi,
I just found this post while randomly browsing the forum.
Well, the Avira firewall has two running modes: Basic and Expert.
In Expert Mode you can configure such settings as Act as a Server(Listen), Connect, UDP Send and UDP Receive.
To enable this, go in Configuration->Firewall->Settings : "Network Events: One action for each" (Default is "One action for all")

Have fun.

[smustaca]

-{ Quote: "once ive tested the imaging software i will be beta testing antivir suite again.
the other day when i tryed it i must say its improved quite alot.
it can only get better and better
lodore" }-

Good idea,lodore ;)
We missed you in the beta forums. :)

And yes, it will get better and better.Not that now is not good, but there is always place for more ;)

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Hi,
I just found this post while randomly browsing the forum.
Well, the Avira firewall has two running modes: Basic and Expert.
In Expert Mode you can configure such settings as Act as a Server(Listen), Connect, UDP Send and UDP Receive.
To enable this, go in Configuration->Firewall->Settings : "Network Events: One action for each" (Default is "One action for all")

Have fun." }-


Thank you smustaca. :)

[eskimukas1]

-{ Quote: "Avira's firewall failed in this test (04/15/07). no comments, judge yourself.

http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/leak-tests-results.php" }-

Guess we need to wait till they test the new build. Hope there will be some changes :)

[FRug]

I keep reading these high results and stuff for comodo on matousec, and they keep getting referenced in several forums.

Actually matousec has done a complete review of comodo, and you should really start to think about whether leak-tests, while being important, should be seen as the primary indicator of a firewalls quality.

I quote from Matousec:
-{ Quote: "The positive on the security of Comodo Firewall is its excellent ability to fight against leak-tests. It probably was a priority of its vendor to pass all leak-tests. Only the Coat test was able to bypass its protection but we have been informed that the next version of Comodo Firewall will handle this one too.

The implementation of the security design is very superficial. Today's malware creators would not have problems to bypass the protection of Comodo. The development of this firewall probably missed independent betatesting of its security features because the number and the nature of bugs we have found in it is alarming. This is why we can not recommend Comodo Personal Firewall as a personal firewall solution to anyone who require the real protection against today's malware." }-

So the winner of the leak-test results "can not be recommended ... to anyone...".


The full review can be found here:
http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/Comodo-Personal-Firewall-2.3.6.81/

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "Good idea,lodore ;)
We missed you in the beta forums. :)

And yes, it will get better and better.Not that now is not good, but there is always place for more ;)" }-

im just remembered about a bug i forgot to report.
im just gonna report it at the avira beta forums now
so be on the look out for my post to see if it happerns to you as well.
lodore

[trjam]

Actually lodore, I submitted that one for you awhile back when you sent it to me.

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "Actually lodore, I submitted that one for you awhile back when you sent it to me." }-
Oh ye i forgot about that.
did it get fixed?
what happerns in the lastest version if you right clikc the icon and click exit?
does it shut off all avira processes and make the umbrela icon go from taskbar?
then if you want to start it again you just go toi program files avira and click start and it all starts again?
lodore

[smustaca]

I answered (twice) to that bug in the Beta forum ;)

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "I answered (twice) to that bug in the Beta forum ;)" }-

i will show you a screenshot of the exit button later on
lodore