Your Opinion about Avast !

Hi guys i am thinking about add Avast antivirus in my setup so i want to know some user experiences about it.

How impact does it have on system?

The detection of spware and adware is good enough?

How about general detection?

How about Webshield?

I know that removal and cleaning in this software is very good but i want to know another aspects of it thanks

 

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=224956

General detection is good, spyware one is less good:

http://remove-malware.com/malware-tips/avast-48-re-reviewed-thorough-scanning-enabled/

 

My sisters husband installed Avast because hi didn`t want t pay for a AV. After 1 month i paid them a visit an installed Spyware doctor with antivirus 6.0, malwarebytes antimalware free and SuperAntiSpyWare PRO. Those 3 programs detected 274 malware/viruses and removed them.

After that my brother in law have never ever used avast! I think their scanner is ok. Their detection is poor and their removal is bad!

 

I switched to Avast about two years ago after another AV detected a trojan but couldn't remove it - or all its bits and pieces - and it kept recreating itself.
A fairly common story.
Since then I've had no significant issues with malware.
The application runs well, and with this latest update seems to be a bit lighter than before. It's never caused me a problem, apart from the odd FP, the forum support is amongst the best, and it appears my computer is well protected.
The various tests and reviews place it in pretty good standing, if "scores" are of any relevance.
Now and again I run some "second opinion" scans, with apps like MBAM, SAS, and/or Cureit. They hardly ever find anything. About twice in two years, I think.
Frankly, I think it's good enough that if the features missing in the free version (scheduled scanning) were a major bother to me, I'd purchase the pro.

 

Avast is very good in general, and to it's credit, has been improving constantly, getting better each year. I'd say it has minimal impact on the system in general. The web shield is one of the best in terms of browsing speed impact, but as with all of the http scanners, there is *some* small impact. But you can disable it if desired. As for detection, have a look at it's ratings on the latest av-comparatives.org site and judge for yourself. Overall, I'd say it's a very good product. I have used it on and off for years (currently using it now on Vista x64) with good results.

 

I like Avast a lot; I have a license for the professional version and also use the free version in a secondary install.
I believe you'll find it to be reliable and non-intrusive but as is the case with any primary antivirus application, I feel that you need to pair it with a good firewall and augment it with quality second-opinion antivirus and antispyware applications.

Specifically to a couple of your questions;

-In my experience, the Webshield causes no noticeable slowdown.

-I've not had any malware problem whatsoever while using either version of Avast. That said, I generally parallel install Avira without the guard and run it on-demand.

-I find Avast compatible with any quality firewall, but mainly use it with either Zone Alarm (free) or PC Tools (free). I have also used it with Online Armor, Softperfect, NetVeda, Sunbelt, and Comodo.

-In my experience, Avast has no conflict with Spyware Doctor, Webroot Spysweeper, Malwarebytes, Spybot, Ad-Aware, Counterspy, or Superantispyware. Also, it is compatible (at least in my trial installs) with Previx and Threatfire.


Give it a try; I believe you'll really like Avast!

 

Avast is not an inferior Av. Latest comparatives rate this AV very high. I have used it and it is effective it had cleaned stuff Trend Micro didn't even found.
At the end it is not unbeatable

 

DarkStalker, you might have already viewed it, but some further recent discussion in this thread here.

The web scanner shouldn't be noticeable at all, and as others mentioned, can be turned off and on (along with all the other features), whenever you want. If it comes across a problem page, it will give you the option to 'abort connection' or you can discard the warning.

My recommendation would be to also go to settings and select automatic for virus database and program to ensure you always have the latest definitions and program version.

The user interface isn't so pretty, but version 5 due shortly should resolve that.

 

xXDarkStalkerxX, I've had avast! installed on my computers since May of 2007. In that year and a half period, I have had great success with it.

"How impact does it have on system?"

Nothing notable in terms of slowdowns, although I am running it now with ThreatFire 4.0.0.8 and have experienced performance problems that appear to be associated with running these two together. I read that the ThreatFire people have replicated the issue and are working on a fix. But that is the only trouble I have had with avast! and all of my other software.

"The detection of spware and adware is good enough?"

I run MBAM on demand and avast! seems to leave nothing behind for it to discover, so I'd have to say that avast! is doing a good job there.

"How about general detection?"

Every now and again I get a trojan alert from a web site. I have read plenty of test results that show avast! as a highly respected detection tool.

"How about Webshield?"

I run it on High sensitivity and feel well protected in that regard. Of course I run other security software too, but avast! is the anchor, the way I see it. Their support forum is excellent. The program is very good and getting better all the time.

 

Avast today is among the top notch contenders and improving vastly, few years back, Avira also coudlnt' remove viruses, I remember initially using Avira till I got infected with a Trojan which couldn't be removed because it was an infected system file, when Avira forum gave up, I installed avast and it removed the infection via its excellent boot time scan. Today, Avast with its excellent modules, GMER anti root kit tech, malware blocking etc. is any excellent paid or free alternative. Its also very good for novices as it auto updates without any fuss. Just like few years back, few years back no one was talking about Avira, now its in the top, same goes for Avast. By the looks of it, they are going to be close to the top of not at the top.

 

I have nothing bad to say about Avast, Id use it in a heartbeat. But i tend to use different programs from time to time or year to year($$$ bad Habbit). But all in all it will serve you well. Also you may add a free antispyware scanner as a backup just in case.

 

I have run Avast on my two towers for quit some time now. Also ran it on my old P III Thinkpad with only 512 of ram.

No conflicts with my other security apps.

I also really like the customizable install options. I install\run only 3 scanners. Internet e mail, Standard Shield and Web Shield.

 

I think it is a solid program, but a bit bloated. Also, the GUI is about 3 years overdue for a overhaul. I keep hearing a new version is coming, but it never seems to arrive.

 

I wouldn't call it bloated, it's just well-endowed with features.... but it remains light and pretty much anything but bloated. And the GUI is probably the least important aspect of it all. The new one will come when it's ready.

Yep, it IS a solid program....

 

i wonder why everyone gets issue with Avast! GUI ... if you dislike skins disable them and use the simple interface and that's it... can't be simpler

ofcourse You can then argue Avast options and parts are spread over like 10 windows and not 3 which is true point

IMHO people are too lazy to read helpfile and scream OMFG skins

 

Actually there are just 2 windows. One is ONLY for on-access settings and another one for general settings.

 

I think he is counting the actual Anti-virus skinnable or non skinable window also. The actual on-demand scanner.

Of all the free Anti-Virus programs out there, this one has given me the least amount of problems, FP etc. I only run 3 shields, (Network, Web and Standard). The program runs light and seems to be doing its job. I have been using this for over 2 years without any infection, even when I vist the dark side. It comes with a boot-time scanner, rootkit detection, virus and spyware detection and best of all, I like the little round icon rotating when its working. The only downside it you want to call it that, is every 14 months you need to re-register to get another key. But this is a small price to pay using this fine software.

Ice

 

I agree, Avast is pretty good

 

I installed Avast! on my daughters computer yesterday. As soon as it finished the install it detcted a trojan and went into the bootup scan. After a long scan it found 77 places where this trojan was plus a second trojan. Now I have time to read the directions. I'm impressed

 

Agree on the 'avast' icon spinning, nice touch! Also only network, standard and web shield activated.

 

I also like their method of updating via a pop up. I had a chance to use it yesterday. It doesn't get simpler than that.

 

my experience on Avast 5 months ago is it has many FPs.

 

Exellent antivirus even as free.I started using it some monthe ago in paralel with BD which was guarding the other OS(from my dual boot system).
At this moment i replaced BD with Avast 4.8 because the BD license expired and BD 2009 is still a mess.
I decided to recommmend it to all my neghbours after i discovered in my aunt computer which was protected by AVG ,over 70 trojans and 30 rootkits.
You really cant find a better free solution with such a complex protection.The included modules are doing their job .
As a gamer i had to choose Avast because its lighter(as light as BD 2008 ) than Avira.
Avast4.8+Sandboxie+Free Firewall(Comodo,Jetico,PC Tools)=Perfect even for older systems,8 ) Double it with some on demand scanners like Cure IT to avoid possible false positives(rarelly i had some during last 6 months).

 

HOWTO: Scheduled Automatic Scans w/ Free Version!

FWIW when you are configuring the task scheduler, and you do not password your individual user account(s), then you can select "Run only if Logged On".

 

People consider the new AVG bloated, and in my experience Avast uses even more resources. And while I agree the GUI is superficial, it seems to be important to an awful lot of people.