Avast! 4.8 released

[Malcontent]

http://www.avast.com/eng/press-release-avast-4-8-released.html

{QUOTE-> Avast! antivirus 4.8 now has anti-spyware, anti-rootkit and strong self-protection, all built in to avast! <-QUOTE}

[mercurie]

Thank you! I will monitor this thread for user comments. ;)

[swagman]

good news!! i will try the free verion if it was released too

[Diver]

Lets hope this is a release & not a beta labeled as a release as has been the case with several other AV's recently.

[HyperFlow]

I would say it's official they have been working on it for some time and from this post (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=34199.0)on there forum it's the real deal. on the side it runs very smooth did not fine any thing on my first scan but that's a good thing. the upgrade went very smooth.

PS. note I have not tried any other scan but the quick scan.

[RejZoR]

{QUOTE-> Lets hope this is a release & not a beta labeled as a release as has been the case with several other AV's recently. <-QUOTE}

ALWIL doesn't release beta stuff when they release final... ;D

[solcroft]

{QUOTE-> ALWIL doesn't release beta stuff when they release final... ;D <-QUOTE}
Seconded. Even their beta releases have always been very stable.

[HyperFlow]

I could not agree more I have used many great AV progy's and for this PC and it's set-up it works great. I have never had any problems with it. it's very stable I'm very happy with it and hope it keeps on doing good.

[Tarq57]

Used the built-in program updater to download and install over the top. Total time (minus restart) 57 sec. No problems. Running well. Settings retained. ;D

[Kees1958]

{QUOTE-> Seconded. Even their beta releases have always been very stable. <-QUOTE}

Solcroft I second that, only the last 4.8 beta made it impossible on our two configurations (XP and Vista64) to roll back to Windows restore points. The final does it flawlessly by the way (windows restore).

The new Avast run's well on Dual Core's. I ussaually reduce the standard shield to check at writes only. I had forgotten to do this and my son even noticed his PC being faster (at least he asked what was changed because he said it felt faster at PC startup, FireFox starup and and web browsing with IE7 64 bits).

Firefox startup being faster surprised me (with more checks performed 4.8 is faster than 4.7 with reduced standard shield). Another strange fact is that IE7 64 bits indeed felt faster (just checked), while the HTTP scanner is still 32 bits, so this really beats me ??? I checked with speedtest.net and the ping time was alsp lower than normal. I have to check a few times to get a better reference, but teh HTTP scanner seems to be faster. Any one else noticing this?

Heuristics Rootkit of Avast 4.8 reported the HauteSecure driver as susipicious. This driver is reported by runscanner as missing file, autoruns finds the file normally, so a mixed bag here.

[Sputnik]

I agree on the fact that there are too many "half-baked" AV's out there. avast! is one of the few programs that gave me zero problems the last year. Updating to 4.8 went smooth and silky.

A big thanks to Awill!

[strangequark]

running fine here

[Diver]

Looks like the early reports are good & Alwil did not disappoint.

[Cerxes]

Next round of "Pivo" on me when I passing through Praha ;).

/C.

[Sputnik]

{QUOTE-> Next round of "Piva" on me when I passing through Praha ;).

/C. <-QUOTE}
Ain't it "Pivo"?

[Cerxes]

{QUOTE-> Ain't it "Pivo"? <-QUOTE}
Yes, you´re right, but you´re from Mockba so you should be more familiar with the semantics ;D.

/C.

[Sputnik]

@Cerxes
I'm not that good in Czech.... :-[ However Czech beer is famous here ;D much better then the Baltika Russian export beer.... :-X

[JerryM]

Avast Home has always been my fallback AV. It has always operatedd without issues. I am very pleased to see this new version.

Avast did so well in the last on-demand AVC tests that it is now a top tier AV in my view. The same can be said of the tested AVG.

Good work Alwil.

Regards,
Jerry

[lodore]

well done Alwil
i reccomended avast to my best friend and works perfectly on his laptop running vista.

[i_g]

{QUOTE-> Heuristics Rootkit of Avast 4.8 reported the HauteSecure driver as susipicious. This driver is reported by runscanner as missing file, autoruns finds the file normally, so a mixed bag here. <-QUOTE}
Could you post some more details? What exactly does avast! report?
Thanks.

[Kees1958]

It happened today, It choose for allow and remember, it was the ct.sys driver. I can not recall what the other options was (block/deny/quarantaine can not tell you).

I cleaned the logs, so can not help you with that either.

[larryb52]

I bought a pro v4.6 a couple of years, I wonder if they allow for discounts for previous purchasers...?

[Firebytes]

The only "problem" I am have seen in the new version is that when I open the program and go to Menu>Select Skin and then Cancel the program seems to hang for a short time (10 seconds or so) before continuing normal operation. During that time a partial view of the skins window remains open. The last version did not do have this problem. It is merely a minor inconvenience though and I have seen no other problems so far.

[i_g]

What OS, which skin?

[Firebytes]

{QUOTE-> What OS, which skin? <-QUOTE}

Windows XP Home Edition, skin name: szc-kde

I already had that skin enabled before the update to the new version. After updating to new version I opened the Avast GUI and clicked Menu>Select Skin, after the skins window opened I hit Cancel as I decided not to change the skin. The window hangs briefly before going back to the main program window. On one of my systems it only shows a part of the Skins window while it hangs. On the other I see the whole Skins window but the delay is still there.

[XANA]

I use Windows XP Pro SP3 and Avast4.8 works great here!
No problemes updating at all or anything.


X.A.N.A.

[SecOmnius]

Running Avast 4.8 Professional under Win XP SP2:
Up to now, No problems for me, too! :thumb:

[Firebytes]

{QUOTE-> The only "problem" I am have seen in the new version is that when I open the program and go to Menu>Select Skin and then Cancel the program seems to hang for a short time (10 seconds or so) before continuing normal operation. During that time a partial view of the skins window remains open. The last version did not do have this problem. It is merely a minor inconvenience though and I have seen no other problems so far. <-QUOTE}

The minor problem with the skins selection window hanging appears to be a problem between Avast and Threatfire. When TF is suspended the problem goes away.

[Tarq57]

Firebytes, just posted to the Avast forum, I use TF (free) default settings, and having no problems.

[Firebytes]

Hmmm, I don't know then if it isn't TF related. It cleared up for me while TF was disabled (I do have default TF settings and Avast free). I will try it again next time I reboot and turn off Returnil protection and see if possibly it happens with TF because Returnil was also on when I noticed the problem. ???



edit: I will see what I can figure out when I have time on Tuesday but its such a minor issue anyway, even if I never figure it out I won't be to worried.

[Kerodo]

Running it here today and must say this is one fine program now.. no issues at all, and the web scanner has to be the fastest I've seen, there is just zero slowdown, pretty impressive.

[The Hammer]

Maybe someone could update the screenshots sticky?

[Big Apple]

Just installed and it runs just great, no slowdowns at all. My compliments. Have been experiencing a lot of trouble with some 'big' names recently and this is the way it should work! Perfect! :thumb:

[SystemJunkie]

just installed avast 4.8, preboot scan.. good idea.. I agree no slow downs, very nice.
Avast is not for away from nr.1 except Avira there is no other scanner as good actually.
Turn some years back you´d never have thought that they would ever become top of the notch, really incredible.
Who knows their secret? ;D;D;D??!

[337]

I was reading about their features and one of them was it acts as a light weight firewall/I.D.S.? Any idea when this feature will be available in Vista? :thumb:

[larryb52]

very impressive software, light & quick load, looks good...

[Big Apple]

{QUOTE-> very impressive software, light & quick load, looks good... <-QUOTE}

What a relief, compared to starting with Avg8 and Eset Antivirus 3.0 after their release. ;)

[kalpik]

I had a minor disk thrashing issue with v4.7 when burning large files to DVD on Vista x64. Is anyone facing any such issue with v4.8?

[larryb52]

{QUOTE-> What a relief, compared to starting with Avg8 and Eset Antivirus 3.0 after their release. ;) <-QUOTE}


extremely refreshing to have someone release a mature produce that from the most recent AV-comparative shows that they care about getting it right & with v4.8 they are taking it to a higher level. Maybe some of the high priced av's should step back & take a lesson from Avast, good job Avast!

[XANA]

How would you know if the new AS builtin into the AV Standard Shield is actually on and working?

And what about the definitions?

[Sputnik]

{QUOTE-> How would you know if the new AS builtin into the AV Standard Shield is actually on and working?

And what about the definitions? <-QUOTE}
Basically it's nothing new. Their engine/database was capable of detecting spy/adware for a long time already. Only they got certified as an "official" AS in december last year.

[Code_Blue]

I have been using Avast! for a few months now and like it. I just updated the program to 4.8 and noticed that Sandboxie does not load. It says there are errors but it will not show the errors when I select that command. I assume it is the new 4.8 as it is the only change I have made. Anyone else experience this?

Vista 32, Toshiba laptop, Threatfire, PC Tolls firewall also running.

[Dieselman]

{QUOTE-> I have been using Avast! for a few months now and like it. I just updated the program to 4.8 and noticed that Sandboxie does not load. It says there are errors but it will not show the errors when I select that command. I assume it is the new 4.8 as it is the only change I have made. Anyone else experience this?

Vista 32, Toshiba laptop, Threatfire, PC Tolls firewall also running. <-QUOTE}

I updated to Avast 4.8 and Sandboxie works fine. What version of Sandboxie are you using?

[lodore]

lets hope alwil can make the interface better.
the important part of making the engine better is done for now so why not work on the interface?

[vlk]

{QUOTE-> I have been using Avast! for a few months now and like it. I just updated the program to 4.8 and noticed that Sandboxie does not load. It says there are errors but it will not show the errors when I select that command. I assume it is the new 4.8 as it is the only change I have made. Anyone else experience this?
<-QUOTE}

In order to use Sandoxie with avast 4.8, you need to make sure to use the latest version of Sandboxie.

There have been some fixes specifically designed to ensure the compatibility with avast 4.8.


Thanks
Vlk

[Big Apple]

{QUOTE-> lets hope alwil can make the interface better.
the important part of making the engine better is done for now so why not work on the interface? <-QUOTE}

Now the program is very good......time to start moaning about the interface again? Man......it works like a charm, the interface is as clear as it can be!

[ellison64]

I also hate it when av vendors decide to glam up the interface.It usually means slowdowns when opening the gui ,on lower spec machines.First antivir did it with version 7 ,then avg,then nod.I hope avast sticks to the simple and functional instead of the hog and gory.
ellison

[Tarq57]

I like the interface. Plenty of alternative skins available for those that want a different look. The controls/layout are not difficult to work out. The program works very well.
I'd prefer it to be left pretty much as it is.

[zopzop]

anyone know how this works with a limited user account? i currently have avira and it works flawlessly in LUA, i can even update the antivirus signatures from my LUA.

[vlk]

And yet, the user interface will substantially change in avast version 5.

The current interface was designed back in 2002 and we feel it'd certainly need a "facelift". Plus, there are multiple distinct interfaces in the current version of avast, and we'd like them to be united.

[octogen]

{QUOTE-> anyone know how this works with a limited user account? i currently have avira and it works flawlessly in LUA, i can even update the antivirus signatures from my LUA. <-QUOTE}
You would find Avast working and updating just as well in a limited user account.

Excellent job, Alwil! Avast is a brilliant piece of software. :thumb:

[337]

{QUOTE-> I was reading about their features and one of them was it acts as a light weight firewall/I.D.S.? Any idea when this feature will be available in Vista? :thumb: <-QUOTE}

Bump, anyone?

[zopzop]

{QUOTE-> You would find Avast working and updating just as well in a limited user account. <-QUOTE}


woot! thanks octogen, i'll wait a week or so then test install it on my desktop and my brother's laptop.

[vlk]

{QUOTE-> I was reading about their features and one of them was it acts as a light weight firewall/I.D.S.? Any idea when this feature will be available in Vista? :thumb: <-QUOTE}

A strange question.

All avast features are fully Vista compatible since November 2006 (both 32-bit and 64-bit).

[Jadda]

I to think Avast need a fresh new interface. The current one are ugly as hell, and hard to navigate in.

When are version 5 sheduled to be released then? This year, or next year?

[rookieman]

I just installed it on my son's computer.The user face is a little different I agree.Seems to be running well and i'm sure i'll get used to it.This is the first time I ever used it.

[XANA]

I also like the interface (the current one, the default).

Is there any way to make it so you (I) don't have to run as administator in XP SP3?

[aigle]

{QUOTE-> I to think Avast need a fresh new interface. The current one are ugly as hell, and hard to navigate in.

When are version 5 sheduled to be released then? This year, or next year? <-QUOTE}
I totally agree!

[rookieman]

Would I be able to run this with Comodo?i have Comodo installed and it's running well,or am i better off deleting it?:(

[JasSolo]

{QUOTE-> Would I be able to run this with Comodo?i have Comodo installed and it's running well,or am i better off deleting it?:( <-QUOTE}

Do you mean Comodo AV or firewall?


Cheers

[HyperFlow]

sure can they work great together. no problems here and been using it for a time and with the 4.8 I have had no problems. The Comodo FW + Avast AV that is

[rookieman]

I'm sorry I never explained myself very well!I was looking to run Comodo Firewall with Avast Pro.Do you see any problems with this??Thanks.;)

[JasSolo]

{QUOTE-> I'm sorry I never explained myself very well!I was looking to run Comodo Firewall with Avast Pro.Do you see any problems with this??Thanks.;) <-QUOTE}

As HyperFlow just statet, there should be no problems with that combination. But try it out, see how it'll work on your rig.:)


Cheers

[chaos16]

i can't find self protection in Avast 4.8? where is it?

[Tarq57]

For one example, try closing the AV using taskmanager.

[HyperFlow]

{QUOTE-> i can't find self protection in Avast 4.8? where is it? <-QUOTE} look in setting than trouble shooting.

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> Would I be able to run this with Comodo?i have Comodo installed and it's running well,or am i better off deleting it? <-QUOTE}Hey rookie I run Comodo Pro Firewall + Memory Firewall + Ghost Security + Avast 4.8 inkl. all monitors!
;D And guess what...;D ;D ;D ;D Seamless with ease... no problems, system works fine!8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[cheater87]

Update went fine. Avast auto updated. Did a boot scan with it and I have no rootkits. :) Glad to see that. I love how this has a rootkit scanner. I was trying to figure out which one to get and I found out the new version of Avast has one. :)

[Wordward]

I'm not sure if I'm the only one confused about this but here goes. I know Avast now has been Certified as a true antispyware program as far as for On Demand detection. However, I can't seem to get a definite answer as to whether or not it's RealTime spyware detection has been improved. I know it has had some RealTime antispyware capabilities in past versions. Thanks.

[Code_Blue]

{QUOTE-> In order to use Sandoxie with avast 4.8, you need to make sure to use the latest version of Sandboxie.

There have been some fixes specifically designed to ensure the compatibility with avast 4.8.


Thanks
Vlk <-QUOTE}

Thanks for the feedback. I'm using the latest and greatest of both and still can not get the Sandboxie control center to load properly. I uninstalled and reinstalled Sandboxie but no resolution. I'll try doing the same with Avast! as well unless someone has a better idea.

I like Sandboxie a lot but the Avast, Threatfire, PC Tools FW combo has been great for me and I prefer not to mess with it unless absolutely necessary.

[Shelty]

I decided to try Avast 4.8 and it has been running so good that I had to buy it. No problems with Online Armor.

[Diver]

Has anyone noticed that Avast creates a shared folder on Vista? Its in an area that can only be seen if "view hidden folders" is enabled. It makes a large portion of the c:\users directory shared.

[Wordward]

Just wondered what size MB Avast is in other people's Add or Remove Programs?
My new install of 4.8 is 71.30MB, but my wife's who I did a Program Update from 4.7 to 4.8 is only around 43MB. I had installed hers and now mine both as Custom Installs and only installed the Web, Standard and Network Shields along with Instant Message, and without extra Languages. Just curious about this. Thanks.

[Dieselman]

Mine is 64.16MB but what dies it matter.

[JerryM]

It is great that the upgrade is done through the Program Update, and does not require 4.7 to be uninstalled and then install 4.8. I admit that is one of my gripes with KIS/KAV.

Avast is a user friendly AV, and is one that has never caused issues with either of my computers. Alwil has done a great job it appears. It is getting crowded at the top now with Avast and AVG. Of course the Home version of Avast is as good as the paid version for most of us.

Best,
Jerry

[HyperFlow]

I got 60.29 I have about 5 skins. I do not know if that makes a different or not but it seem we all have a different size.???

[vlk]

{QUOTE-> Just wondered what size MB Avast is in other people's Add or Remove Programs?
My new install of 4.8 is 71.30MB, but my wife's who I did a Program Update from 4.7 to 4.8 is only around 43MB. I had installed hers and now mine both as Custom Installs and only installed the Web, Standard and Network Shields along with Instant Message, and without extra Languages. Just curious about this. Thanks. <-QUOTE}

This is usually related to the VRDB. That is, the database avast creates for disinfection purposes (in case a virus succeeds to infect some files later on).

The actual size of the VRDB, once generated, depends on the amount of data stored on your hard drive. Hence the differences.


Thanks
Vlk

[RejZoR]

Also remember that files inside avast! Chest add the size to that folder...

[Dwarden]

i wonder what's wrong with Avast! Simple skinless interface? too complex? :)))

i guess it's too hard for people to find the checkbox and untick it in program options

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5741/avast47noskinsimpleuihr5.jpg

and btw it looks the same now like when i first too this shot years ago ...

[Diver]

{QUOTE-> i wonder what's wrong with Avast! Simple skinless interface? too complex? :)))

i guess it's too hard for people to find the checkbox and untick it in program options

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5741/avast47noskinsimpleuihr5.jpg

and btw it looks the same now like when i first too this shot years ago ... <-QUOTE}

This is definitely better than the skin. It should be the default.

[Edwin024]

I found that this new version slowed down my PC too much for my pleasure. And I find that amazing, looking at the CPU and RAM..

[Dieselman]

I actually like all the different skins. I change mine one a week or so.

http://www.avast.com/eng/skins.html

[rookieman]

{QUOTE-> I decided to try Avast 4.8 and it has been running so good that I had to buy it. No problems with Online Armor. <-QUOTE}
This is the firewall I had to install.The newest Comodo didn't like my Jasc Paintshop at all.This combo is working fine!:thumb:

[aigle]

{QUOTE-> This is definitely better than the skin. It should be the default. <-QUOTE}
Agreed!

[Firebytes]

FYI

I figured out what was causing the problem I mentioned I was having earlier with Avast hanging for several seconds when cancelling out of the skin selection window. It had nothing to do with Threatfire or any other program interfering.

I had Avast's Standard Shield sensitivity set to "high", when I set it back to "normal" the problem disappeared. Set it back to "high" and the problem is back. It did this whether TF was running or not. I never had this problem with the older Avast version when the sensitivity was set to "high".

On the subject of skins I personnaly like them. I reall like the one called szc-kde, the default skin...not so much.

I do think this new Avast version causes my computer to run a little slower than the old one.

[the insider]

What I fear is that Avast! will be no longer for free in the coming months ... I see what i see and that is a shift towards a paying AV or at least a very basic home version for free !!! All those diversifications Home - Pro -and now even a family pack give me the feeling that a big turnaround is coming. Mark my words .....:-\

[C.S.J]

{QUOTE-> What I fear is that Avast! will be no longer for free in the coming months ... I see what i see and that is a shift towards a paying AV or at least a very basic home version for free !!! All those diversifications Home - Pro -and now even a family pack give me the feeling that a big turnaround is coming. Mark my words .....:-\ <-QUOTE}
im surprised its been free all this time anyway.......

its too good to be free, however... i think having this free version has worked very well for alwil, as a business.

[the insider]

{QUOTE-> im surprised its been free all this time anyway.......

its too good to be free, however... i think having this free version has worked very well for alwil, as a business. <-QUOTE}

so we basically agree on this right ?8)

[Wordward]

{QUOTE-> I found that this new version slowed down my PC too much for my pleasure. And I find that amazing, looking at the CPU and RAM.. <-QUOTE}
The new version of Avast seems to be running light here. Just curiuos if anyone else notices any slowdowns?

[Firebytes]

{QUOTE-> FYI

I figured out what was causing the problem I mentioned I was having earlier with Avast hanging for several seconds when cancelling out of the skin selection window. It had nothing to do with Threatfire or any other program interfering.

I had Avast's Standard Shield sensitivity set to "high", when I set it back to "normal" the problem disappeared. Set it back to "high" and the problem is back. It did this whether TF was running or not. I never had this problem with the older Avast version when the sensitivity was set to "high". <-QUOTE}

Ok, I didn't word that very well, what I meant was:

If Standard Shield is set to "normal" then the problem disappears even if TF is running. Set it back to "high" and the problem returns. If Standard Shield is set to "high" then suspending TF makes the problem disappear. Clear as mud??

[acr1965]

{QUOTE-> I'm not sure if I'm the only one confused about this but here goes. I know Avast now has been Certified as a true antispyware program as far as for On Demand detection. However, I can't seem to get a definite answer as to whether or not it's RealTime spyware detection has been improved. I know it has had some RealTime antispyware capabilities in past versions. Thanks. <-QUOTE}

Anyone know the answer to this?

[Kees1958]

Hi,

Avast free was one of the few to incluse antispyware signatures. When you start a scan Avast follows the same procedure an AS/AV does (memory scanning etc). They have just acquired certification that's all.

I always thought that Antivir/AVG free do not include spyware sigs, for AVG I am quite sure, for Avira I do not know.

Regards

[aigle]

Avira free also doesn,t cover spyware but in practice I have found it to detect many spyware/ adware samples, may be it,s due to the overlap in how vendors define a malware( spyware/ adware/ virus etc).

[Wordward]

{QUOTE-> This is usually related to the VRDB. That is, the database avast creates for disinfection purposes (in case a virus succeeds to infect some files later on).

The actual size of the VRDB, once generated, depends on the amount of data stored on your hard drive. Hence the differences.


Thanks
Vlk <-QUOTE}

Thank you for the explanation. Makes sense since I have more file on my PC than my wife does.

[Wordward]

{QUOTE-> Hi,

Avast free was one of the few to incluse antispyware signatures. When you start a scan Avast follows the same procedure an AS/AV does (memory scanning etc). They have just acquired certification that's all.

I always thought that Antivir/AVG free do not include spyware sigs, for AVG I am quite sure, for Avira I do not know.

Regards <-QUOTE}

I'm not sure how many Antispyware programs actually prevent spyware from infecting your PC in RealTime, but I have heard SuperAntiSpyware, Spy Sweeper, and CounterSpy does a pretty good job at "prevention". I am asking if Avast 4.8 has RealTime "prevention" implemented now? I read in the Avast forum that it does, but I don't believe it was by someone from Avast.

[aigle]

{QUOTE-> I am asking if Avast 4.8 has RealTime "prevention" implemented now? <-QUOTE}What do u mean by now? I believe it was always there.

[Wordward]

{QUOTE-> What do u mean by now? I believe it was always there. <-QUOTE}

Ok. Is it true Avast 4.8 now has "improved" RealTime spyware detection?

[aigle]

I don,t know.

[Wordward]

That's basically what I've seen to be the answer in the Avast forums too.

[Diver]

Anyone who feels guilty about Avast being free can PM me for the details as to how to send me payment :)

Meanwhile, at the Notebook Review forums, there were some posts about Avast 4.8 causing slowdowns.

[Wordward]

{QUOTE-> Anyone who feels guilty about Avast being free can PM me for the details as to how to send me payment :)

Meanwhile, at the Notebook Review forums, there were some posts about Avast 4.8 causing slowdowns. <-QUOTE}

Feel guilty for Avast being free? I don't get it.
What kind of slowdowns? Browser or PC?

[lucas1985]

{QUOTE-> Ok. Is it true Avast 4.8 now has "improved" RealTime spyware detection? <-QUOTE}
I don't know if avast! 4.8 has improved ad/spyware detection, but avast! has had ad/spyware signatures for a long time. Go to this site (http://www.avast.com/eng/vps_history.html), search for "virtumonde" using the find tool of your browser and see it yourself.
Version 4.8 has "certified" ad/spyware detection and removal and it's recognized as an anti-malware app in the Security Center (IIRC)

[lodore]

Hello,
in around december 2007 i installed avast 4.7 on my friends laptop.
its still version 4.7
how do i update it to 4.8?
does it need a reinstall?
im hoping there is a program update button somewhere without having to reinstall it.
Lodore

[Tarq57]

Right-click the tray icon. Left click "updating". Left click "program update. My time (Broadband, sans restart) 57 sec.
Smoothly installed over the top with no problems.

[lodore]

{QUOTE-> Right-click the tray icon. Left click "updating". Left click "program update. My time (Broadband, sans restart) 57 sec.
Smoothly installed over the top with no problems. <-QUOTE}
thanks done. i think i will drop the interface comments since avast seems to have very little problems and the program update was done with no need to uninstall.

if anyone is interested i have uploaded some screenshots of avast 4.8
if you start a scan and then click on the cross it doesnt ask you if want to stop the scan bug or feature?
definatly the lightest webscanner.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE->

if anyone is interested i have uploaded some screenshots of avast 4.8
<-QUOTE} Thank you.8)

[Big Apple]

{QUOTE-> thanks done. i think i will drop the interface comments since avast seems to have very little problems and the program update was done with no need to uninstall.

if anyone is interested i have uploaded some screenshots of avast 4.8
if you start a scan and then click on the cross it doesnt ask you if want to stop the scan bug or feature?
definatly the lightest webscanner. <-QUOTE}

Almost the lightest webscanner, I also thought so, but Eset Nod32 Antivirus is lighter!

[rookieman]

{QUOTE-> This is definitely better than the skin. It should be the default. <-QUOTE}
I totally agree with you on this.It's a lot better.:thumb:

[smith2006]

A review of Avast! Anti-Virus 4.8 Home Edition by PC Magazine -

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2282704,00.asp

[Firebytes]

According to a post on the avast! forums by Vlk, a Global Moderator/avast! Evangelist, there will be a program update released somewhere within the next couple of weeks (guess-timation). There is a pre-release available now for testing. Right now it is being listed as version 4.8.1178. A link to the thread is HERE (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=f971d29f5ecc4690f8c62e984c83cd6c&topic=34612.0).

Quoting:

"There are a number of fixes in this release. Here's an (incomplete) list:

- solved incompatibility of the avast self protection module and the System Restore feature (Windows XP/Vista)
- solved keyboard/mouse lags in some games (e.g. World of Warcraft)
- "Quick" scan now quick again (in the previous version, it was usually slower than "Normal" scan)
- fixed deleting of infected files in some nested archives
- shell extension: under Windows Vista, shortcut targets are now correctly scanned
- boot-time scanner now correctly displays warning messages about corrupted archives
- improved scanning speed in the Simple user interface
- improved handling of scan exceptions
- self protection: improved detection of changes in the INI file
- start of the "avast! Mail Scanner" service should now be fast again
- fixed a problem with avast being installed in a directory with name containing non-Latin characters
- fixed entering of the license key (didn't work in certain configurations)
- improved detection/healing of MBR rootkits
- avast can now correctly handle the case when the INI file is missing/corrupted
- the "Disable startup rootkit scan" option on the Troubleshooting page now effective (in the previous version, it was ignored)"

[XANA]

Well...that's pretty big for an incomplete list.
You said thats a new beta, right?

I would really, really like to beta-test it!

[Firebytes]

{QUOTE-> Well...that's pretty big for an incomplete list.
You said thats a new beta, right?

I would really, really like to beta-test it! <-QUOTE}

The link in my last post has download locations for the pre-release.

[Bluenile]

{QUOTE-> i wonder what's wrong with Avast! Simple skinless interface? too complex? :)))

i guess it's too hard for people to find the checkbox and untick it in program options

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5741/avast47noskinsimpleuihr5.jpg

and btw it looks the same now like when i first too this shot years ago ... <-QUOTE}

It scans faster without the skin as well.

[PiCo]

Has anyone experienced "freezes" with Avast! 4.8v?

5 mins to boot
Slow internet
Freezes after a few minutes, reset button only way out
Turing off self-defense module and anti-rootkit, does no good
Scans are about 2 times slower

Anyway for many it works great, for some like me it was like running 5 AVs simmuteniously and I did't have any other resident protection at that time.

[Firebytes]

{QUOTE-> Has anyone experienced "freezes" with Avast! 4.8v?

5 mins to boot
Slow internet
Freezes after a few minutes, reset button only way out
Turing off self-defense module and anti-rootkit, does no good
Scans are about 2 times slower

Anyway for many it works great, for some like me it was like running 5 AVs simmuteniously and I did't have any other resident protection at that time. <-QUOTE}

I haven't had any of the issues you have other than possibly a little slower web browsing (XP SP2). You might do a search over at the avast! forums (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.0) and see if anyone else has reported your issues there. If not then I would recommend that you post them.

[PiCo]

{QUOTE-> I haven't had any of the issues you have other than possibly a little slower web browsing (XP SP2). You might do a search over at the avast! forums (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.0) and see if anyone else has reported your issues there. If not then I would recommend that you post them. <-QUOTE}
I have reported them and quite few have reported them too, but they remain unsolved.

I just asked in case someone had the problems and figured out or had a close idea what the problem was, hardware/software related or anything.

People in this forum seem pretty advanced and experient :thumb:

[Boost]

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=c6c2f5e0abfcb1b16ea4cd81cf901b05&topic=34612.0

For you Avast guys with problems,you might wanna check out this thread.

[Firebytes]

{QUOTE-> http://forum.avast.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=c6c2f5e0abfcb1b16ea4cd81cf901b05&topic=34612.0

For you Avast guys with problems,you might wanna check out this thread. <-QUOTE}

Thanks, but that's the same link as in post #110. ;)

[ccsito]

I will install it on one of my Pentium II (Windows 98 ) systems and see how it runs. Fewer AV programs left for me to use on them. :-\

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> I will install it on one of my Pentium II (Windows 98 ) systems and see how it runs. Fewer AV programs left for me to use on them. :-\ <-QUOTE}Let us know how it works out.

[osip]

...seems as avast pro 4.8 fails at eicar.com...

[The Hammer]

The free Home version apparently checks for updates. But the Pro version has Push style updates. Can someone explain the difference.

[PiCo]

{QUOTE-> ...seems as avast pro 4.8 fails at eicar.com... <-QUOTE}
Avast! 4.7 doesn't!

[i_g]

Neither does avast! 4.8, of course.

[osip]

{QUOTE-> Neither does avast! 4.8, of course. <-QUOTE}

all files except eicar.com.txt are detected when opening after downloading, the .txt file opens without reaction...

[PiCo]

Well that is a problem with the Web Shield, on "High" Web Shield protection in Avast! 4.7 it reacts right after clicking the link.

4.8 -> too many probs :(

[osip]

Okay, if downloading the txt file and renaming it to eicar.com it gets detected. When opening in browser it´s not...probably not a big issue, just wanted to test the web shield...

[i_g]

The text file (eicar.com.txt) is not detected when you open it from disk because text files are not scanned by default. You can add "TXT" into the list of extensions to be scanned "on open" by Standard Shield - and it will be detected, but I'd say it's unnecessary.

Similarly for the WebShield, not-detecting of eicar.com.txt is caused by the default exclusions for WebShield (TEXT/PLAIN mime type). Again, you can remove it from the list of exclusions, if you want even text files to be scanned.

None of these features have changed between 4.7 and 4.8, AFAIK.

[osip]

@i_g: OK, thanks for info...I´m new to this app...

[LoneWolf]

Going to the Eicar web site and testing Avast with this, as soon as I hit save with Opera, Avast poped up with this.

199486

But that was with Eicar.com file not Eicar.com.txt

[RejZoR]

There's no point in scanning plain text files. Browser inteprets them as such and they are completelly harmless because they are well, plain text.

[solcroft]

{QUOTE-> There's no point in scanning plain text files. Browser inteprets them as such and they are completelly harmless because they are well, plain text. <-QUOTE}
Older avast! versions had a bug where viruses with their extensions renamed to txt could execute freely without being monitored by the Standard Shield. The good news was Alwil staff responded very promptly, and though I didn't stick along long enough to find out, I assume this has since been fixed.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> The free Home version apparently checks for updates. But the Pro version has Push style updates. Can someone explain the difference. <-QUOTE}Anyone?

[LoneWolf]

PUSH updates immediately when published and are initialized by the avast server.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> PUSH updates immediately when published and are initialized by the avast server. <-QUOTE}Thanks. It seems this is the type I have with my present paid product.

[ylo0]

因为有中文

又有免费的家庭版

在中国非常受欢迎

用过半年，只是出现过U盘病毒

然后就抛弃了AVAST

现在用antivirV8（F版）很强大


Because of the Chinese

Has a free version of family

Very popular in China

Spent half a year, there were only U-virus

Then abandoned the AVAST

Now with antivirV8 (F) is very strong

[Jadda]

Ok, it's very hard to read and understand what you are writing. There's like no connection.

[dw426]

Well, I believe the poster was TRYING originally to have us check out their software in another thread, but over the last few posts he/she has gone all over the place. I'm attempting to keep up though, trying to get your message across to people who have no clue of your language and you don't have a clue of theirs can be a real pain.

[ccsito]

I'll have to get my wife to translate post # 136. ;D I think the poster is trying to say that they replaced Avast wtih Antivir and possibly something about what people in his country were using previously.

[Dwarden]

there is new beta of 4.8 build 1185 as of yesterday , most of all known bugs were fixed ...

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=34612.0

feel free to test and post Your experience and especially if You encouter ANY problems , thanks

[Kerodo]

I did try the beta a short while back, but still encountered what appeared to be some excess ram usage by web shield. I posted at the Avast forum, but nobody seemed to take much interest. Perhaps 30-41mb is standard ram usage for web shield now, I don't know. Just seemed a bit high to me. Otherwise, a perfect product as far as I could see..

[acr1965]

I noticed in the free v. pro versions of Avast that the free lacks a "script blocker". Is this something to be concerned about if a user runs IE7? What exactly does the script blocker block? Is it part of the web shield?

And would a program like Threatfire be a needed supplement if running IE?

thanks

[dw426]

{QUOTE-> I noticed in the free v. pro versions of Avast that the free lacks a "script blocker". Is this something to be concerned about if a user runs IE7? What exactly does the script blocker block? Is it part of the web shield?

And would a program like Threatfire be a needed supplement if running IE?

thanks <-QUOTE}

ScriptBlocker SEEMS to be an IE version of Noscript. Whether you can choose individual scripts to run I do not know. If it detects and blocks out "Bad" scripts then it's a web scanner/Noscript all in one. I used it for a short time but never got to see it actually work. Also, it does not run on Firefox, and I barely use IE, so the Pro version with Script Blocker just wasn't that much more useful to me than Avasts free version.

[Dwarden]

technically the Script part is leftover from older Avast! versions ...
webshield does now most of it's work ...
it wasn't changed or updated in major way for long time ...

it's just tiny bonus feature for Pro users but nothing to worry about for Home users ...

[RejZoR]

Script Blocker is one of additions but true strenght comes from Enhanced interface (way more settings), scheduler and PUSH update system.

[Quitch]

Do Avast! have a section on their site detailing the enhanced interface? Wasn't able to find one.

[ellison64]

{QUOTE-> @i_g: OK, thanks for info...I´m new to this app... <-QUOTE}
Avast 4.8 webshield does detect that file as soon as you click on it.I see that you use admuncher....have you altered avast4.ini so that webshield actually works with admuncher?.If not ,the webshield wont be active at all,when admuncher is running.
ellison

[osip]

Hi Ellison...
{QUOTE-> have you altered avast4.ini ? <-QUOTE}

No, did´nt think about that...can you give me a hint what to change/add...?

[ellison64]

{QUOTE-> Hi Ellison...


No, did´nt think about that...can you give me a hint what to change/add...? <-QUOTE}
Of course.I use avast and admuncher myself.

From avast forums...

open avast4.ini (usually here...C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA).Scroll down list until you find [WebScanner] or click edit tab>find >and type in webscanner.Then underneath that, add this line
OptinProcess=admunch.exe

Then save and close.You will probably have to restart admuncher and avast.Admuncher should now work with avast http scanner.
..............................................................
also make sure you have clicked details>and webshield when you click avast tray icon.You should see files being scanned if webscanner is working

[osip]

Thanks Ellison...in the mean time I searched for it...In addition to what you said I also saw OptIn=1, needed or not ?

[ellison64]

{QUOTE-> Thanks Ellison...in the mean time I searched for it...In addition to what you said I also saw OptIn=1, needed or not ? <-QUOTE}

works without it for me.
ellison

[osip]

Yes,works great ! I happened to put in OptIn=1...what´s that for ? Works as well...
This AV is far more interesting than I thought...

[ellison64]

{QUOTE-> Yes,works great ! I happened to put in OptIn=1...what´s that for ? Works as well...
This AV is far more interesting than I thought... <-QUOTE}

I may be wrong but i assume optin=1 is a global rule for allowing any local proxy.exe ,whereas the other just allows admuncher?I could be wrong ,but it works fine without the optin=1 anyway.
ellison