Avast! Antivirus Free - v.6 and v.8

I'm really curious about something. Is there any difference between the two versions of Avast! Antivirus Free when it comes to the pure virus detection algorithms? I'm not interested in the new options and facilities that were added or improved, just the scanning engine itself. Thanks!

 

It's exactly the same. The other differences show in Auto Sandbox module...

 

I wouldn't say "exactly the same". For on-demand scans, probably yes - but on-access detection can differ.
The scanning engine is the same - but the new program supplies additional information for the engine, and the engine can make better decisions. So my guess is that some heuristic detections won't work in older versions.

 

Thank you very much!

 

The scanning engine can be updated regardless of the product version.

 

Yes, but as I said - since the old program supplies less information to the scanning engine than the new version, the detections won't be exactly the same, even with the same engine.