avast4 vailable !

[minacross]

both home and pro version. :)

[ZZZ7]

Your on every board pumping this [avp] ...........so tell us what's so good about it !

I think it's crap ...........BTW!

[Vampirefo]

I wonder also cause in this thread, the poster doesn't like the AVP http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=4838;start=0

[Paul Wilders]

-{ Quote: "Your on every board pumping this [avp]" }-

Postings like these are allowed and appreciated over on this board ;)

-{ Quote: "so tell us what's so good about it !
I think it's crap ...........BTW!" }-

No freeware antivirus - AVG included - can compete with the top notch commercial antiviruses. That said: Avast does score far better than AVG on the virusbulletin test(s).

regards,

paul

[eyespy]

Paul...

when are you going to test this version ??

regards,
bill ;)

[eyespy]

Mina,
could you post a link for us ??
Thanks,
bill ;)

[FanJ]

Hi Bill,

Here is the link:

http://www.avast.com/alwil.htm

[eyespy]

Thanks FanJ,
But I can't seem to find ver. 4 at the site !!

regards,
bill :)

[FanJ]

This one perhaps:

http://www.avast.com/avast4/index.html

[Technodrome]

-{ Quote: " quoting: ZZZ7 link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=0#36817 date=1040339945]
I think it's crap ...........BTW!
" }-

You tell us! Why do you think AVAST is crap? Give us some facts before conclusion! :-\

AVAST is a solid AntiVirus program and far from "crap"! Price is unbeatable… ;)


Technodrome

[Paul Wilders]

-{ Quote: " quoting: eyespy link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=0#36828 date=1040343452]
Paul...

when are you going to test this version ??

regards,
bill ;)
" }-

Bill,

As soon as time permits - we do have software piling up here waiting to be tested :P.

regards.

paul

[eyespy]

Thanks FanJ !
That link worked. I got the file and will install later on today.
Screenshots to follow !!

Regards,
bill ;)

[eyespy]

Here's some screenshots !!
I've got more and will try to post them later. The Memory Usage shots are worth a look !!

Very slick interface !

regards,
bill :)

[wizard]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Technodrome link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=0#36850 date=1040355098]
You tell us! Why do you think AVAST is crap? Give us some facts before conclusion! :-\" }-

I have not called it crap but AVAST 3 was one of the worst AV software I ever tried. Too many false positives, poor (zoo) detection. Maybe the new version has improved - I will test within the next days.

wizard

[Technodrome]

-{ Quote: " quoting: wizard link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=0#36922 date=1040406550]
Too many false positives, poor (zoo) detection. Maybe the new version has improved - I will test within the next days.

wizard
" }-

I agree! But there are commercial (well Know) antivirus products with very very poor Zoo virus detection....



Technodrome

[eyespy]

online update !

[Eduard]

At first - I'm from ALWIL Software - developer of avast!
Thanks a lot for place and you give to our new antivirus.
I read some notice about false positives already and today again. I asked for files containing false alarms to correct our database - nothing happend.
It's the first time I read about poor detection of zoo. I should answer:
1. Not all files you count as infected are infected by viruses - virus should be able to spread and we know about a lot of "virus collections" containing a lot of other things than viruses.
2. We maintain a huge virus collection and avast! is compared on everyday basis with competitors and we know that some products which are so loved here have results I can't comment here. But we know that their collection are scanned by their products much better then by avast!
3. Everyone can send us a file which contain virus avast! checks as a clean. Therefore I'm looking forward to obtain thousends of "infected" files.
4. Some of programs you like have problems with VB100% and some of them don't send their products to Virus Bulletin at all.

Best regards Eduard Kucera

[Technodrome]

Some More:

Main GUI

http://www.asw.cz/czech/avast4/pic/enhanced_01large.gif

Resident GUI

http://www.asw.cz/czech/avast4/pic/resident.gif


Technodrome

[Ghost]

Is there some kind of special routine to be followed to get the program to install?

Do you have to create a special directory or folder for it? Put it in a special place?

I can't get it to install correctly.

[Technodrome]

Thank you Mr. Eduard for your notes!

To subbmit your virus Incident Report go here:
http://www.avast.com/form.htm


Technodrome

[eyespy]

TD,
is that the Pro Version ?

Did you check the Memory usage ?

I have some screenshots but can't post them !!


regards,
bill :)

[eyespy]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Ghost link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=15#36944 date=1040413112]
Is there some kind of special routine to be followed to get the program to install?

Do you have to create a special directory or folder for it? Put it in a special place?

I can't get it to install correctly.
" }-

Ghost,
I just created a directory................... c:\security\avast, and than installed the Avast file to that folder. I'm using Win2K and I had no problems.
Make sure you disable other AV programs before you do an install of Avast !

regards,
bill ;)

[eyespy]

Eduard,
thanks for dropping by !

My very first concern is the memory usage.

ashserve.exe is using 25,580k by itself !!

Are you aware of the high memory usage ?

I'm using Win2k !

Kindest regards,
bill :)

[Technodrome]

3 avast4! componetns are running in background(Windows XP)! They are using around 39 MB of memory! :o



Technodrome

[Ghost]

Thanks, guys. The beta 4 install went without a hitch this time. Scanning with it now.

[Paul Wilders]

Welcome Ed.

We did have conversations using PM - glad to see you here. Would you mind registering, in order to avoid spoofing?

-{ Quote: "At first - I'm from ALWIL Software - developer of avast!" }-

I for one am aware of that ;)

-{ Quote: "Thanks a lot for place and you give to our new antivirus." }-

Goes without saying - you're welcome.

-{ Quote: "I read some notice about false positives already and today again. I asked for files containing false alarms to correct our database - nothing happened." }-

This appeal might help.

-{ Quote: "It's the first time I read about poor detection of zoo. I should answer:
1. Not all files you count as infected are infected by viruses - virus should be able to spread and we know about a lot of "virus collections" containing a lot of other things than viruses." }-

Agreed in essence. What's Avast stand on zoo?

-{ Quote: "2. We maintain a huge virus collection and avast! is compared on everyday basis with competitors and we know that some products which are so loved here have results I can't comment here. But we know that their collection are scanned by their products much better then by avast!" }-

I applaud you for being frank here - and do wish avast! the best in evening the score.

-{ Quote: "3. Everyone can send us a file which contain virus avast! checks as a clean. Therefore I'm looking forward to obtain thousands of "infected" files." }-

That's a good request - your expectations seem a bit harsh.

-{ Quote: "4. Some of programs you like have problems with VB100% and some of them don't send their products to Virus Bulletin at all." }-

I do wonder who is "you" in this quote. Once more: in essence that's true indeed.

Anyway: we will test avast! new version. In case you want us to test the commercial version as well, drop me an email.

All the best,

paul

[controler]

Ok guys , get with it. I mentioned Avast 4 a couple months ago and tried to mention it was cool and only worked on XP.
I still have the Beta ;)

[eyespy]

Well,
I tried it for half a day, but found the memory usage to be a little high.
Also, on my Win2k box, Avast 4 didn't want to uninstall.
As a matter if fact it wouldn't uninstall ! >:(

Anybody else have this problem ??

regards,
bill :)

[Technodrome]

-{ Quote: " quoting: controler link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=15#37006 date=1040443138]
I still have the Beta ;)
" }-

Well the final version of Avast! 4 is out... So u don't want to stick with beta! ;)


Technodrome

[controler]

eyespy

Yep I had the same uninstall problem. Had to remove it by hand :(
It id however seem fast.

[notageek]

It looks like it uses too much memory for me. :) From some of the screenshots it looks like some of the stuff is still in German. I think That if there is an unistall problem they need to pull it back in and fix the problem. ;) Good luck to all who's testing Avast!4.

Would any one care to share the AV that don't fair pretty good against Zoo Viruses? I'm hoping NAV isn't one of them. ;)

[minacross]

-{ Quote: " quoting: eyespy link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=15#37008 date=1040445518]
Well,
I tried it for half a day, but found the memory usage to be a little high.
Also, on my Win2k box, Avast 4 didn't want to uninstall.
As a matter if fact it wouldn't uninstall ! >:(

Anybody else have this problem ??

regards,
bill :)
" }-

I did with ver.4 (not beta). just received a bsd so I have to delete it manually (folders and reg. keys).

[Technodrome]

-{ Quote: " quoting: notageek link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=30#37012 date=1040450098] :) From some of the screenshots it looks like some of the stuff is still in German. " }-

Full English version is available. Pictures are linked from Czech site.

-{ Quote: "I think That if there is an unistall problem they need to pull it back in and fix the problem. " }-

Yes, indeed! Avast can't be uninstalled from add/remove, and doesn’t include its own uninstaller.


Technodrome

[eyespy]

Here come the screen shots...

[eyespy]

another...

[eyespy]

Memory usage !

[javacool]

Hmm - that memory usage is rather high...is it constantly increasing? If so it might be due to a memory leak.

NAV 2002 on one of my test systems only uses 6.5 MB of memory.

NOD32's AMON uses barely 4 MB.

Best regards,

-Javacool

[eyespy]

Yes it is rather high !
But it didn't seem to increase.
That uninstall glitch didn't make my day either !! ???

regards,
bill ;)

[Ghost]

;D Yes, perhaps the 'Un-install' function is one that should be checked right off-the-bat, before anyone goes about different forums singing the praises of any given program?

[notageek]

Anyone know how good it picks up on viruses?

[controler]

It seemed to pick up on a bunch a virii.
I think I will check it out a bit more.
I really didn't check for memory leakage.
but in my mind 4 or 6 meg of memory isn't that big a deal these days.
memory is dirt cheap now so anybody not upgraded to at least a gig a RAM is doing themselves harm.
Best Buy has been selling it cheap and am sure the Ebay has it even cheaper ;)
Get that computer screaming !!!!!!!!!!!
Buy MEMORY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! as your own X-mas present.
MERRY CHRISTMAS all ;D

[vlk]

Hi,
I work as a program manager for Alwil, the maker of avast. I'd like to comment on the memory consumption of avast 4.

I was pretty surprised how much emphasis you guys put to the 'Mem Usage' column in the Task Manager. I'm not saying it's totally pointless to look at this columnn, but the truth is that it *is* highly inaccurate, and in special cases it can be totally bogus. For more information, I recommend a good book on the topic, like 'Inside Windows 2000' from David Solomon and Mark Russinovich.

If you'd like to know how much virtual memory an app is taking, it's much more sensible to use the 'VM Size' column (it's not shown by default, but you can enable it in the View menu).

If you sum up all 4 avast resident processes' VM Size values, you get something like 12MB - not little, but imho definitely not a memory hog (not 39MB!!!).


Thanks,
Vlk

[Technodrome]

Thanks for your response Mr.Vlcek!

Yes you are right! The problem is, people tend to look at physical memory more often then VM! This obviously does not help you or any other program developer!


P.S. Would you or somebody from Alwil team address “uninstaller problem”!



Thank U and Happy New Year!

[vlk]

Actually, the uninstaller problem has already been solved. :)

The current version (build 144) that's on the web (and that you can easily upgrade to if you have the original release, build 143) fixes the problem and can be normally uninstalled. It also fixes several more bugs, such as the instability of Internet Exporer if logged on as a non-administrator.


Thanks
Vlk

[Technodrome]

That's great news! Thanks for your quick respond!



Technodrome

[minacross]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Ondrej Vlcek link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=30#37800 date=1040920851]
Actually, the uninstaller problem has already been solved. :)

The current version (build 144) that's on the web (and that you can easily upgrade to if you have the original release, build 143) fixes the problem and can be normally uninstalled. It also fixes several more bugs, such as the instability of Internet Exporer if logged on as a non-administrator.


Thanks
Vlk
" }-

I wonder how can I update its vps file manually? I think this vps file at http://www.avast.com/latest.htm is for ver 3.

[Technodrome]

I believe that VPS files are the same for 3 and 4 versions!

Why not update thru the auto-update program
feature?



Technodrome

[eyespy]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Ondrej Vlcek link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=30#37753 date=1040893375]
Hi,
I work as a program manager for Alwil, the maker of avast. I'd like to comment on the memory consumption of avast 4.

I was pretty surprised how much emphasis you guys put to the 'Mem Usage' column in the Task Manager. I'm not saying it's totally pointless to look at this columnn, but the truth is that it *is* highly inaccurate, and in special cases it can be totally bogus. For more information, I recommend a good book on the topic, like 'Inside Windows 2000' from David Solomon and Mark Russinovich.

If you'd like to know how much virtual memory an app is taking, it's much more sensible to use the 'VM Size' column (it's not shown by default, but you can enable it in the View menu).

If you sum up all 4 avast resident processes' VM Size values, you get something like 12MB - not little, but imho definitely not a memory hog (not 39MB!!!).


Thanks,
Vlk
" }-

Vlk,
thanks for responding !
You do have a very good point concerning the "Mem Usage" in the Task Manager. I will definately keep that in mind.
Having said that, sometimes the VM Size is less than Mem Usage. Sometimes it is more.... and none are the same ! (none in my box)
I check Mem Usage for general or vague values of program Mem usage. I will now use the VM size as well, but as you stated and as other posters noted, the VM size was "not little".
I must say, and other posters will probably agree, that we (and probably millions of other users) appreciate the fact that you (Alwil) put out a product, free of charge ! And I was not trying to show disrespect towards your AV in anyway. We just share views and thoughts. And by doing that, I would like to think that it helped make your AV better, and gave Posters another viewpoint of how Avast uses Memory resources.
I'm also glad you repaired the "uninstall" bug as well !


Respectfully,
bill :)

[vlk]

> wonder how can I update its vps file manually? I think this vps > file at http://www.avast.com/latest.htm is for ver 3.

Why do you need to update it manually? Manual (I mean "real" manual) updating is not supported any more. You must use our new updating mechanism, provided you're connected to the net. If you're not, we have a special program that you can use to do the update. Please let me know if you need such a tool (although I really think 99.9% of users have, at least a temporary, Internet access).

>I believe that VPS files are the same for 3 and 4 versions!

Definitely not, they're different ;).
The VPS file for v3 is about 2.1MB, whether the v4 file is about 850K (we now use compression). The internal format has changed, too.

> Having said that, sometimes the VM Size is less than Mem
> Usage. Sometimes it is more.... and none are the same !
> (none in my box)

OK, I'll try to explain little more the difference between these two values. Actually, their names are very misleading - in fact these two guys correspond to the 'Private Bytes' (the VM Size) and 'Working Set' (the Mem Usage) NT performance counters.

This is what MS says about these values:

Private Bytes (Task Manager's "VM Size"):
"Private Bytes is the current size, in bytes, of memory that this process has allocated that cannot be shared with other processes."

In other words, this is the memory the program has allocated (therefore, this is quite reasonable value to compare, and it normally does not fluctuate much)

Working set (Task Manager's "Mem Usage"):
"Working Set is the current size, in bytes, of the Working Set of this process. The Working Set is the set of memory pages touched recently by the threads in the process. If free memory in the computer is above a threshold, pages are left in the Working Set of a process even if they are not in use. When free memory falls below a threshold, pages are trimmed from Working Sets. If they are needed they will then be soft-faulted back into the Working Set before leaving main memory."

In my opinion, this value really has a meaning only to the developers. It's totally useless for the end user as it is trivial to make an application that e.g. allocates a single page (e.g. 4K) and still has a working set of, let's say 400MB - just by mapping this single page 100,000 times, which is perfectly legal (and in fact, this is, roughly said, what avast 4 is really doing - not 100,000 times, but let's say, 10 times, but that's a detail - the point is that this has nothing to do with real 'memory consumption', just 'address space consumption')...

There are programmatic ways how to artificially lower the Working Set value, and there are programs that use these techniques, but we find it stupid to use them just to make users think that our application is taking less memory than it's actually taking, not to mention the fact that tampering with the working set can have severe performance consequences...

Hope this helps,
Vlk

[minacross]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Ondrej Vlcek link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=45#37960 date=1040978746]
> wonder how can I update its vps file manually? I think this vps > file at http://www.avast.com/latest.htm is for ver 3.

Why do you need to update it manually? Manual (I mean "real" manual) updating is not supported any more. You must use our new updating mechanism, provided you're connected to the net. If you're not, we have a special program that you can use to do the update. Please let me know if you need such a tool (although I really think 99.9% of users have, at least a temporary, Internet access).

" }-

so I think you will not provide an update file for ver 3 soon ( or even tech. support for its users !!)!!! ??? ???

[vlk]

-{ Quote: "so I think you will not provide update def. file for ver 3 soon ( or even tech. support its users !!)!!! " }-

Don't worry, v3 is something different and we're not planning to discontinue it anytime soon...

[minacross]

BTW, I had to uninstall avast4 after one day usage as it was so heavy regarding memoy usage on my 300MHz celeron 98MB ram.
It was worse than NAV2001 that I was using before !!

[controler]

I do not hold programmers responsible for making software compatible with an old Intel 486 machine or Windows 95.
Here comes da bad carma cookies..
Users? don't mess with the Virtual Memory setting. Let Windows do it for you. Get rid of that old computer and get yourself a newer one.
Programs today are being built to utilize the faster CPU's and hugh amounts of memory installed on out of the box computers today.
To buy memory today in the USA is dirt cheap.
Anyone can install it.
just ask and we will explain it for you.

Thank You

[Douglas]

-{ Quote: " quoting: controler link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=45#37992 date=1040995057]
Users? don't mess with the Virtual Memory setting. Let Windows do it for you. Get rid of that old computer and get yourself a newer one
" }-

What are the reasons, controller?
There was a time when I was a gamer, and didn't have the money for a newer computer (or even 50 bucks for ram). I did mess with VM and never had a problem.
Now I wonder if I was just lucky.

Douglas

[Krusty]

Controler.....

......no offence but even brand new computer must be tweaked.......for the best performance......or do you disagree ? A bad karma cookie ? naaah, not so easily from me .....Sure you are right, absolutely right that components are not expensives anymore.....there is one but..... all of us are not ready to customize hardwares, just learning softwares and how to tweak them and that I would call an art. ;)

friendliest *Ari*

[Ledendo]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Ondrej Vlcek link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=45#37960 date=1040978746]
> wonder how can I update its vps file manually? I think this vps > file at http://www.avast.com/latest.htm is for ver 3.

Why do you need to update it manually? Manual (I mean "real" manual) updating is not supported any more. You must use our new updating mechanism, provided you're connected to the net. If you're not, we have a special program that you can use to do the update. Please let me know if you need such a tool (although I really think 99.9% of users have, at least a temporary, Internet access).

" }-

I think it would be a great idea to make this stand-alone updater available on your site. E.g.: I would like to recommend avast to a few of my relatives, because I enjoyed working with it and didn't experience any problems with v4 and think the new UI is really easy to use, even for unexperienced users (which is what is needed in this case).
My relatives' computers are not connected to the internet but still get in touch with lots of CDs with texts from friends, work etc.
In short: I think there are many configurations, where it might be useful to make an update set on one computer for use on another.

So my final question: Is there any link to download this utility? :)

[controler]

What everyone is really trying to say here in a nutshell is that
nobody wants a program that has to be updated automatically.
The hard cores from Wilder's are firm believers that all programs with auto-update features should have a way to shut auto-update down and update manually.
I think that about sums it up don't you?

I admit Krusty.. I always am tweaking my computers.
I am an obsessive compulsive computer tweaker ;D
I am not so sure normal home users should be doing this however without strict guidance.

[minacross]

now which to use? ver 3 has an enhanced interface with manual update . And in my openion ver 3 has a better repairing technique according to a test I made using EICAR test file, ver 3 just deleted the string and the file was running just fine while ver 4 reported that the file can not be repaired !! ??? ???

[eyespy]

-{ Quote: " quoting: controler link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=45#38164 date=1041082436]
What everyone is really trying to say here in a nutshell is that
nobody wants a program that has to be updated automatically.
The hard cores from Wilder's are firm believers that all programs with auto-update features should have a way to shut auto-update down and update manually.
I think that about sums it up don't you?
" }-

I for one, don't like "auto update" enabled on any of my software !!

regards,
bill ;)

[vlk]

-{ Quote: "What everyone is really trying to say here in a nutshell is that nobody wants a program that has to be updated automatically.
" }-

Allright, but that's not the bone of contention here, is it?
It's not about auto vs manual, it's about if you should be given the ability to do the update just by replacing apropriate file(s) in the program folder. avast v3 lets you update the virus DB by just replacing the file called avast32.vps (which is exposed on our web site), whereas v4 does not give you the ability to do anything like that and you need to use our incremental updating mechanism.

We think it's not a problem. Or is there anyone who disagrees?

[controler]

Ondrej Vlcek

Actualy I think part of the issue IS being forced to autoupdate.
Minnicross seems to have another issue of Avast 4 not cleaning the same I am guessing.
You may not find the general public cares if software has a manual update feature or not but you will find most of the members here prefer a manual update feature to ANY software.
Does this help ?

[minacross]

-{ Quote: " quoting: controler link=board=24;threadid=5606;start=60#38262 date=1041118190]
Ondrej Vlcek

You may not find the general public cares if software has a manual update feature or not but you will find most of the members here prefer a manual update feature to ANY software.
Does this help ?
" }-

exactly. And and can not figure out why you just do not want to offer manual update for ver 4 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!