Avira: Poor Self Protection

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by sg09, Mar 29, 2011.

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  1. sg09

    sg09 Registered Member

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    Today I was handling an age old PC with XP sp2. It did not have any AV protection at all. After upgrading flash, shockwave and Java, I installed Avira Personal in it. After updating I started a scan. During the scan it detected conficker and started repairing. It did a reboot and guess what after the reboot windows didn't boot untill I selected the last known good configuration. On boot-up I found that the malware destroyed the real-time guard of Avira.....:mad:

    This is not the first time I have found this with Avira. Basically this is why I lost my faith on Avira. But I thought it must have been improved in v10...:gack:
     
  2. johnyjohn

    johnyjohn Registered Member

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    Hi,

    Did you enable "enhanced process protection" ?
     
  3. Dundertaker

    Dundertaker Registered Member

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    Huho_O ...I disagree there. I tinker with the configuration of Avira and am applying a saved config from a backup file of the AVWIN.ini.

    If it's enabled youll get a pop-up from Avira upon tinkering it. I know that it's "on" by default right...?(correct me on this please..)
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2011
  4. sg09

    sg09 Registered Member

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    Was that the default option? If not that's bad ...:doubt: enabling this will do any good now?
     
  5. johnyjohn

    johnyjohn Registered Member

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    Hi,

    If this option is enabled, all AntiVir processes are protected with advanced options from unwanted termination. Advanced process protection requires considerably more computer resources than simple process protection . That is why the option is disabled as the default setting. To enable this option, you have to restart your computer.
     
  6. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    Try its Rescue System (Boot Disc)
     
  7. onigen

    onigen Registered Member

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    Installing any AV on a seriously infected system won't work.

    You need to use a live cd / portable program.
    Otherwise it's reformat time.
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2011
  8. sg09

    sg09 Registered Member

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    I haven't found this a very infected system on first glance. It looked very normal.:eek:
     
  9. nosirrah

    nosirrah Malware Fighter

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    Install any AV, reboot and select last known good. Your AV will be dead as the last good boot did not have any of those services and drivers installed.

    http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...l/proddocs/en-us/boot_last_good.mspx?mfr=true

    When you choose Last Known Good Configuration, only the information in registry key HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet is restored. Any changes you have made in other registry keys remain.

    HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet <- your services and drivers are installed there so you need to reboot at least once successfully to get them to survive a last known good boot.
     
  10. sg09

    sg09 Registered Member

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    Ohh!! I see...:eek: So, its not Avira's fault...:argh:
     
  11. tk55

    tk55 Registered Member

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    i don't think avira "personal" free version has this option. i couldn't find it in mine.
     
  12. johnyjohn

    johnyjohn Registered Member

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    All AntiVir versions has this option under Configuration -> General -> Security -> the option is called in fact "Advanced password protection" instead of "advanced process protection". It was wrongly translated...
     
  13. tk55

    tk55 Registered Member

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    edit: thanks. finally found it. have to enable expert mode to see it :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2011
  14. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    So Avira Free has password protection? As in you need to enter a password to disable it or modify settings?
     
  15. johnyjohn

    johnyjohn Registered Member

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    Hi J_L,

    No, password protection is only for Premium and Premium Security Suite (in General -> Password).
    What I told can be found in General -> Security : the right translation is Advanced process protection and not Advanced password protection.
    These are 2 different things.
     
  16. zfactor

    zfactor Registered Member

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    exactly what i was thinking when i read the op's post. if you restored it to a previous config or restore point avira was not there so it will not work right.
     
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