Avast 2014 Released

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by khanyash, Oct 15, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Dave0291

    Dave0291 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2013
    Posts:
    553
    Location:
    U.S
    The issue, in my opinion, with Beta trials is that not enough users are involved most of the time. Most users wait it out until final because they're afraid of something going wrong, especially when dealing with security software. Another issue is, again, focus. Avast looks like it is trying to be everything at once. A system cleaner, software updater, identity theft prevention, a VPN and more. I want them to be a good AV first and foremost. It perturbs me when a company up and decides to go from being very good in one area, to being a one stop shop. Inevitably, overall quality will go down.
     
  2. Victek

    Victek Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Posts:
    6,219
    Location:
    USA
    It's debatable which features improve security and which don't. The specific ones you mentioned do improve security IMHO. They are a good idea whether they are all implemented in a suite or run as separate programs - every attack vector should be addressed. I don't believe it's inevitable that the quality goes down and it's not clear to me at the moment that Avast is worse off for implementing these additional features. On the other hand I don't see a price checking plugin as improving security, but since all of these features are separate modules which can be checked/unchecked in a custom install I don't think there's a problem.
     
  3. Dave0291

    Dave0291 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2013
    Posts:
    553
    Location:
    U.S
    They improve some security perhaps. But each module added has to be bug-free, effective and not cause issues for the other modules. This is where overall quality can take a drop. I'm certain you've heard the arguments against security suites vs individual layers before. It is the same idea here, at least in my mind. A system cleaner is not one of those things I consider a security enhancement. A VPN is only as secure as the people operating it. The last software updater they included in Avast before it seemingly vanished, only listed about four or so programs, and that was mainly browsers. Which of course don't require third party checking for these days. It is quite true that all of these can be left out of the install for now, but whether something is able to be left out or not is not quite the point. :)
     
  4. Securon

    Securon Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2009
    Posts:
    1,960
    Location:
    London On
    Good Afternoon! Currently use Avast Pro A/V...and custom installed...eliminated Secure Online... Vpn...Sandboxing...Avast Gadget...Updater...etc.The only Compelling feature for my use is Safezone...otherwise it's Protection...is what it's all about. I agree it's becoming a challenge to purchase a bare bones product. Sincerely...Securon
     
  5. Victek

    Victek Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Posts:
    6,219
    Location:
    USA
    I mostly agree :) I think a system cleaner can improve security because malware and pup executables are sometimes dropped into the cache - dumping the cache as a precaution is a good step as part of a security cleanup. Your right that the Avast programs updater is very limited, and I can't comment on the quality of the VPN since I haven't tried it. It's likely that newbies are not going to do custom installs and will wind up with everything, but it's also likely that newbies won't know about dedicated updaters like Secunia PSI and VPN services. Is getting these extra features on more systems a good thing or a bad thing? Hard to say...I prefer to use dedicated utilities for these extra functions, but I speak geek (and proud of it) :cautious: :thumb:
     
  6. avman1995

    avman1995 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Posts:
    944
    Location:
    india
    A optimization tool!? :rolleyes:

    Come on Avast!!! dont began to move the deck from the core AV to crappy optimizer type stuff and still no news on new technologies but just more crappy tools coming in.Still they must pay attention to AV and protection part :rolleyes:

    Dyna-gen and everything else has vanished and now looks like avast is going wrong way again....better concentrate on protection features rather than wasting precious time on useless crap if they want to perform well in any tests.

    I tend to somehow agree though that any test these days is a drop in the bucket and still in my experience I havent faced a infection with any of my avast clients which decreases my work anyways.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2013
  7. internet addict

    internet addict Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2012
    Posts:
    517
    I am impressed with Avast 9 as it has detected and blocked a few viruses and bugs instantaneously.
     
  8. dansorin

    dansorin Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2009
    Posts:
    236
    Location:
    EU
    it's his job, nothing to be impressed about...
     
  9. toxinon12345

    toxinon12345 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Posts:
    1,200
    Location:
    Managua, Nicaragua
    @VLK

    When will be added a true Behavior Blocker in Avast Free? :'(
     
  10. Sm3K3R

    Sm3K3R Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Posts:
    611
    Location:
    Wallachia
    Why is Avast ,since version 5 ,not able to pass the EICAR file test ?! :)
    Downloading those files never triggers from the live scanner the quarantine ,by default settings.
    I need to scan that manually to be qurantined ,kinda stupid.

    And i don t like the new interface at all ,bad decision going for this facelift.
     
  11. RejZoR

    RejZoR Lurker

    Joined:
    May 31, 2004
    Posts:
    6,426
    Why people always complain they don't like the interface but they never bother to tell why. I frankly don't see anything wrong with it. It's easy to use for noobs but still offers everything old ones did. It's no less firnedly or more confusing. It is what it is and i like it. During beta, it was a bit of a mess but they polished it pretty well for the final release.
     
  12. mnosteele

    mnosteele Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2003
    Posts:
    194
    Location:
    Chesapeake, VA USA
    This is why you should never use the default settings. The default settings don't scan for PUPs or suspicious files. Enabling these two options will greatly improve avast's detection rate.

    Try my custom settings HERE then try the eicar test.

    :)
     
  13. avman1995

    avman1995 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Posts:
    944
    Location:
    india
    Wondering the same here....where is dyna-gen at?? we got get that thing on here :D
     
  14. Rompin Raider

    Rompin Raider Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2010
    Posts:
    1,254
    Location:
    Texas
    :thumb: :thumb: Well said!:thumb: :thumb:
     
  15. SpeedyPC

    SpeedyPC Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    Posts:
    105
    Location:
    The Land of OZ (Australia)
    +2 I aren't bloody complaining with my Avast AV ;)
     
  16. Victek

    Victek Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Posts:
    6,219
    Location:
    USA
    Generally I find the new UI OK, but some settings, such as the checkbox for enabling detection of PUPs, seem more buried in it. Any by the way it it seems like a bad decision to leave this option OFF by default since so many of the rubbish programs that clog PCs and screw with browser settings are not technically viruses.
     
  17. The Red Moon

    The Red Moon Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2012
    Posts:
    4,101
    I find this fascination with interfaces quite amusing.
    All you do is configure the product and you need not see the interface ever again.

    What do users do....look at the interface all day like its a van gogh masterpiece or something.
     
  18. avman1995

    avman1995 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Posts:
    944
    Location:
    india
    Avast is going in the wrong direction.Completely bloating up now.

    As I said earlier,Optimizing tools!?? I would respect if they provide better protection instead stupid crappy tools and bloating/ruining a free program.

    I am NOT impressed at all with this program and if it doesnt improve in upcoming its going down by rankings.And eventually if the downfall goes on and I see it failing for me its going to the trash.Although so far I am not seeing any downfall on my side.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2013
  19. Victek

    Victek Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Posts:
    6,219
    Location:
    USA
    Yes, it can get obsessive. People can really go on and on about a program's tray icon too LOL. Still, a UI that's pleasing to look at and easy to navigate works in the programs favor even though strictly speaking those aspects have nothing to do with security.
     
  20. aztony

    aztony Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2012
    Posts:
    737
    Location:
    The Valley Arizona
    I once read a post where the poster said he uninstalled one of the top 3 free firewalls he'd just installed, when he saw the tray icon. He didn't even wait to see the UI.
     
  21. siketa

    siketa Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2012
    Posts:
    2,718
    Location:
    Gaia
    Was he talking about PF?
    :)
     
  22. aztony

    aztony Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2012
    Posts:
    737
    Location:
    The Valley Arizona
    Touche!
     
  23. zero2dash

    zero2dash Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2013
    Posts:
    18
    Location:
    USA
    By comparison CCleaner x64 and x86 executables are a combined whopping 8.97MB.

    I would assume the Avast tool is no larger than that.

    I have no idea how anyone can consider 8.97MB = bloat. :blink:
    But hey, that's JMHO.

    If you don't want the tool, don't run it. Disable it or uninstall it (if possible). Avast is still one of the leanest AV apps out there, and it still does excellent at detection rates. As long as they keep supporting it and keep it from being bloated (which is going to require a helluva lot more than an additional 8.97MB), I'll keep using it. :thumb:

    Until then, your post looks more like 'the sky is falling' than what is probable. :blink:
     
  24. Dave0291

    Dave0291 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2013
    Posts:
    553
    Location:
    U.S
    Red Moon, I find the UI of Avast to look nice. However, I am more concerned about settings being relocated and, as I mentioned earlier on in the thread, "upgrades" buttons being pushed into Avast more and more. I also want them to put more focus on features related to security and to implement them properly.
     
  25. siketa

    siketa Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2012
    Posts:
    2,718
    Location:
    Gaia
    They should really do something about it. :D
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.