Avast 2014 Released

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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)

 

A optimization tool!?

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

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.

 

I am impressed with Avast 9 as it has detected and blocked a few viruses and bugs instantaneously.

 

it's his job, nothing to be impressed about...

 

@VLK

When will be added a true Behavior Blocker in Avast Free?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Wondering the same here....where is dyna-gen at?? we got get that thing on here

 

Well said!

 

+2 I aren't bloody complaining with my Avast AV

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Was he talking about PF?

 

Touche!

 

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.
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.

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

 

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.

 

They should really do something about it.