Avast Internet Security beta 1

[Brocke]

Just to let everyone intertested the first beta of Avast Internet Security has start.


-{ Quote: "

Hi,

together with the beta refresh of the free AV, we're now also releasing a beta version of the avast! Internet Security product (version number is the same -- i.e. 5.0.252)

Download link: http://files.avast.com/files/beta/5.0.252/setup_ais.exe


Besides the features of the free AV, this includes three more major components

- firewall
- antispam
- process virtualization (a.k.a. sandbox)


Please note that this is the first public beta release so it may still be a bit unstable (even though we tried to prevent any crashes and similar things). Anyone interested in this product is more than welcome to install it and test it. Your respective feedback is appreciated.

There's still some limitations in this version. Some of the expert settings in the firewall and the sandbox are not functional yet (will be in the next beta refresh in a few days). Also, the logic of the firewall application grid is likely to change a bit (more on this later). And a few other things (we'll be fixing/improving these shortly).

If you have any issues/comments etc, as usual, please start a new thread (as opposed to flooding this thread with posts).

System requirements: Windows 2000 SP4 or higher, XP SP2 or higher (32-bit only), Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit, any SP) and Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit).

Languages: the setup program offers like 11 languages but some of them are still incomplete (so that you may see some English strings instead of localized ones so far).


Thanks much, and have fun!

Vlk" }-


http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=51331.0

[Fajo]

-{ Quote: "Just to let everyone intertested the first beta of Avast Internet Security has start.





http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=51331.0" }-

cool!

[icr]

Downloaded and installed everything working perfect and also light on my system.

[NAMOR]

anyone get a chance to try it on WIN7 64bit?

[Brocke]

-{ Quote: "anyone get a chance to try it on WIN7 64bit?" }-


im assuming that it already is when Avast 5 free already is and they used that as a template for the internet security

so i would say it is.

[s4u]

Just installed the Suite and it is running fine

[NAMOR]

-{ Quote: "im assuming that it already is when Avast 5 free already is and they used that as a template for the internet security

so i would say it is." }-


True but they did add a sandbox and firewall drivers to this install, which could account for stability issues on some machines (not saying that there are any).

[icr]

Hi All,
Don't know if this is bug :
Under Firewall Settings---> Expert Settings
Policies--Preferences
If I tick on Show notifications about newly created "allow" rule it still remains unticked even after hitting OK button.???
Anybody facing this kind of problems

[Brocke]

-{ Quote: "Hi All,
Don't know if this is bug :
Under Firewall Settings---> Expert Settings
Policies--Preferences
If I tick on Show notifications about newly created "allow" rule it still remains unticked even after hitting OK button.???
Anybody facing this kind of problems" }-


some firewall componets are not fully working yet.

[icr]

-{ Quote: "some firewall componets are not fully working yet." }-

How to manually configure the rules of applications connecting to the net ??

[vijayind]

Sandbox for x64 :)
Hope its fully functional ( unlike Kaspersky SafeRun) in x64 .... I'd buy it in a heartbeat ....

[NAMOR]

-{ Quote: "Sandbox for x64 :)
Hope its fully functional ( unlike Kaspersky SafeRun) in x64 .... I'd buy it in a heartbeat ...." }-

Here is an image I took when running Opera under "Process Virtualization" on WIN7 x64. As you can see it places a red border around the browser. However, I am having issues when I maximize the browser window, some of the Opera GUI disappears, like the minimize, maximize, and close buttons. Seeing similar issue on IE8

213935

[kjdemuth]

Today is my birthday. I demand a RC of Avast internet security! Either that or a RC of Avast 5 free.

[Saraceno]

Looks good. This will definitely add value to the paid version. :thumb:

[vijayind]

-{ Quote: "Here is an image I took when running Opera under "Process Virtualization" on WIN7 x64. As you can see it places a red border around the browser. However, I am having issues when I maximize the browser window, some of the Opera GUI disappears, like the minimize, maximize, and close buttons. Seeing similar issue on IE8
" }-
Thank You, Namor.
Its beta so kinda expect it to be rough around the edges. But still a functional sandbox for x64 is something others have yet to achieve.
So kudos to Alwil :thumb: :thumb:
And of course to NAMOR :thumb: :thumb:

[Fajo]

-{ Quote: "Thank You, Namor.
Its beta so kinda expect it to be rough around the edges. But still a functional sandbox for x64 is something others have yet to achieve.
So kudos to Alwil :thumb: :thumb:
And of course to NAMOR :thumb: :thumb:" }-

The main reason why is because until recently 64bit Had such a small share of the market, it would of been insane to devote resources over the 32bit to it. But now with 90% of all PC's shipping with Windows 7 64bit installed this will change, A welcome change IMO. 8)

[vijayind]

-{ Quote: "The main reason why is because until recently 64bit Had such a small share of the market, it would of been insane to devote resources over the 32bit to it. But now with 90% of all PC's shipping with Windows 7 64bit installed this will change, A welcome change IMO. 8)" }-
Well then it is lack of foresight from other vendors then. Its not like they couldn't see the x64 wave coming !!
As the famous line from Fast and Furious goes, "It don't matter if you win by a mile or an inch. Winning is Winning".
So unless someone trumps AIS before its release, kudos to Alwil.

[Fajo]

-{ Quote: "Well then it is lack of foresight from other vendors then. Its not like they couldn't see the x64 wave coming !!
As the famous line from Fast and Furious goes, "It don't matter if you win by a mile or an inch. Winning is Winning".
So unless someone trumps AIS before its release, kudos to Alwil." }-

Agreed, Tho I would not say lack of foresight. Alot of company's just rather put the money where the customers were at the time. Why develop something that's going to eat your resources and give you almost no payback in return. Time is money and in today's economy you got to becareful where you put it.

But again I'm thrilled to see people developing the 64bit side, It's been along time coming and I'm glad its here.

[NAMOR]

-{ Quote: "Thank You, Namor.
Its beta so kinda expect it to be rough around the edges. But still a functional sandbox for x64 is something others have yet to achieve.
So kudos to Alwil :thumb: :thumb:
And of course to NAMOR :thumb: :thumb:" }-


Well I just tested the sandbox with Eicar and Opera. By default there are certain locations that the sandbox will let you save file too, C:\Users\Michael\Downloads for example. However, this option can be changed by the user (see link for image 1). Sorry I was having issues attaching one of the images so I had to upload it to imageshack.

Now if I try to save the eicar test file to D:\World of Warcraft the file stays with in the sandbox and appears to get deleted when I close Opera. While it doesn't have as many options as sandboxie it does seem to work on a 64 bit OS

Image 1 (http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/1694/avast5.jpg)

[Brocke]

there has been an refresh just now

now at 5.0.254 but there is no change log yet.

this is for IS and AV free

[NAMOR]

-{ Quote: "there has been an refresh just now

now at 5.0.254 but there is no change log yet.

this is for IS and AV free" }-


Thanks for the update.

On a side note it appears that the files that get stored in the sandbox are located in the following folder, "C:\## aswSnx private storage". The strange thing is that it wasn't visible until I uninstalled Avast IS, even with hide protected OS files unchecked.

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "Thanks for the update.

On a side note it appears that the files that get stored in the sandbox are located in the following folder, "C:\## aswSnx private storage". The strange thing is that it wasn't visible until I uninstalled Avast IS, even with hide protected OS files unchecked." }-

thats because its not an OS file... its an Avast file and is probly hidden by Avast then. so it makes sense that u culdnt see it till Avast was uninstalled (eg. Avast cant hide it anymore...)

[icr]

What is Avast! doing can anyone explain ?
What actually it is downloading ?

[icr]

Another Bug FF cannot be run virtualized.

[NAMOR]

-{ Quote: "thats because its not an OS file... its an Avast file and is probly hidden by Avast then. so it makes sense that u culdnt see it till Avast was uninstalled (eg. Avast cant hide it anymore...)" }-


You right, it's not an OS file, it's a folder (just teasing). I wonder if the Alwil team will make it so users can access the contents of the folder through the GUI.

[ViVek]

build 5.0.254 (http://files.avast.com/files/beta/5.0.254/setup_ais.exe)

[vijayind]

Thanks again, Namor.
So a sandbox with limited config for x64. Its still the best we got :( ...
Until maybe Geswall 3.x comes out.

[NAMOR]

-{ Quote: "Thanks again, Namor.
So a sandbox with limited config for x64. Its still the best we got :( ...
Until maybe Geswall 3.x comes out." }-


Np, I'm more of a Defensewall person myself. ;D

[vlk]

-{ Quote: "What is Avast! doing can anyone explain ?
What actually it is downloading ?" }-

Most likely it's the avast WebShield proxy. I.e. all connection in the browser process look like remote address is 127.0.0.1, as all the connections are actually routed via AvastSvc.exe

Has been like this since day 1 (I mean since avast WebShield was first introduced (in 2006?)).


-{ Quote: "You right, it's not an OS file, it's a folder (just teasing). I wonder if the Alwil team will make it so users can access the contents of the folder through the GUI." }-

No plans for that atm...

-{ Quote: "So a sandbox with limited config for x64. Its still the best we got..." }-

What config options do you miss?
I mean, which (useful) options do you think should be there, and are not?


Thanks
Vlk

[NAMOR]

-{ Quote: "Most likely it's the avast WebShield proxy. I.e. all connection in the browser process look like remote address is 127.0.0.1, as all the connections are actually routed via AvastSvc.exe

Has been like this since day 1 (I mean since avast WebShield was first introduced (in 2006?)).




No plans for that atm...



What config options do you miss?
I mean, which (useful) options do you think should be there, and are not?


Thanks
Vlk" }-

Thanks for the info vlk.

[vijayind]

-{ Quote: "
What config options do you miss?
I mean, which (useful) options do you think should be there, and are not?


Thanks
Vlk" }-
Well nothing great. Maybe my expectations were raised since its integrated with a full featured suite.

As Namor said more config options. Esp. to allow control over exceptions and their working.
For eg: there is a plethora of plugins and addons for popular browsers. Rather than have to answer thousands of queries of making different addons work, you could allow exceptions ( but with control of their behavior). I want to use Shockwave/Silverlight/DivX but remain in control.

I understand the more options more confusion for newbie users. Best to label the controls as advanced then :)
But I think there could be a compromise solution. If there was an option to save the configured rules for an app as (say) XML. Then like your GUI skins, it could be shared by the extensive Avast community.
Newbies could just search and find pre-configured rules for popular addons/apps. While advanced users could ... :ouch:

[vijayind]

Also since Avast suite has firewall . The ability to restrict network connectivity to any app in sandbox would be helpful. Other vendors allow sandboxed apps to access net without hesitation. But sometimes when running suspect files, I don't want them to connect to net and report my IP.

[vijayind]

Plus since your product is fully featured with heuristics and behavior blocker. Maybe when Avast finds a suspicious file, it could suggest closing the process and instead running it in sandbox.

Less FP and Novice user friendly :thumb:

Note: Please see the clear side-effect of asking opinions on Wilders. I pride myself on posts which are marked by volume and vagaries. So hope I didn't overshoot the target :D

[Brocke]

here the known bugs for the virtualize stated by VLK

-{ Quote: "
This is an important feature that needs to be thoroughly tested. It's been under development for over a year now.


We're still aware of the following issues:
- execution of some processes from the browser doesn't work (usually MSI-based installers)
- doesn't check for duplicate in the virtualized process list
- tags in windows titles not implemented yet
- red border cannot be turned off, and doesn't work with Aero
- requests to change files attributes are not yet virtualized
- control of global services may not yet be fully virtualized.


All these will be fixed shortly.


Thanks again
Vlk" }-

[icr]

New Version 5.0.259
-{ Quote: "we have just released another beta refresh of the Free AV and Internet Security products (5.0.259).

Free AV: http://files.avast.com/files/beta/5.0.259/setup_av_free.exe
Internet Security: http://files.avast.com/files/beta/5.0.259/setup_ais.exe

You should be able to go to this build by using the built-in updater as well.

Fixes in this build:

Both Free AV and IS:
- solved the pesky updater issue (AvastUI.exe error 0xC0000022)
- solved a rare BSOD issue in aswSP.sys

IS only:
- dial-up network should now work as expected (and be firewalled)
- fixed a few bugs (crashes and issues) in the Virtualization component
- fixed a crash issue in the Outlook antispam plugin

and a few other things.

Thanks
Vlk" }-

[icr]

-{ Quote: "
Under Firewall Settings---> Expert Settings
Policies--Preferences
If I tick on Show notifications about newly created "allow" rule it still remains unticked even after hitting OK button.???
Anybody facing this kind of problems" }-

Well this is working now !!
Thank You vlk!!

[Fajo]

-{ Quote: "Plus since your product is fully featured with heuristics and behavior blocker. Maybe when Avast finds a suspicious file, it could suggest closing the process and instead running it in sandbox.

Less FP and Novice user friendly :thumb:

Note: Please see the clear side-effect of asking opinions on Wilders. I pride myself on posts which are marked by volume and vagaries. So hope I didn't overshoot the target :D" }-

You scared him off :'(

[vijayind]

-{ Quote: "You scared him off :'(" }-
Breaking News: Alwil adds new blacklist functionality to Avast 5. First keyword added to blacklist,"vijayind".

All the kidding aside, from what I have seen and read Vlk and the team at Alwil seem to be thorough professionals. So they are probably evaluating a response fit for their repute.

[vlk]

vijayind, let's chat on the avast forum. I like [some of] your suggestions, and as a matter of fact, some of the stuff is already under development.

I just don't quite think these product design related discussions are appropriate for a general forum such as Wilders'.

Unless the mods here think otherwise.


Thanks
Vlk

[Fajo]

-{ Quote: "vijayind, let's chat on the avast forum. I like [some of] your suggestions, and as a matter of fact, some of the stuff is already under development.

I just don't quite think these product design related discussions are appropriate for a general forum such as Wilders'.

Unless the mods here think otherwise.


Thanks
Vlk" }-

Ill see you guy's over there then! PM Me a link to the topic incase I miss it. :-[

[vijayind]

-{ Quote: "vijayind, let's chat on the avast forum. I like [some of] your suggestions, and as a matter of fact, some of the stuff is already under development.

I just don't quite think these product design related discussions are appropriate for a general forum such as Wilders'.

Unless the mods here think otherwise.


Thanks
Vlk" }-
As you feel comfortable, Vlk.
I created a new thread in the beta section of Avast Forum:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=51545.0

[xolith]

Is it useing it's own firewall or...?

GUI Looks nice:)

[firzen771]

-{ Quote: "Is it useing it's own firewall or...?

GUI Looks nice:)" }-

yes, its their own firewall.