Avast anti-virus

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I have had Avast free home edition anti-virus for awhile, and I got a notice that I had to renew the licence, so I went through that process
and I think I got it OK. But when I open the folder for the software, there are many files and I do not know how to tell if it is working or if I have to trigger something to
make it protect. I don’t know if it stays active all the time. or if I have to run scans.
Anyone using this program?

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I have had Avast free home edition anti-virus for awhile, and I got a notice that I had to renew the licence, so I went through that process
and I think I got it OK. But when I open the folder for the software, there are many files and I do not know how to tell if it is working or if I have to trigger something to
make it protect. I don’t know if it stays active all the time. or if I have to run scans.
Anyone using this program?

It’s been several months since I had to do a renewal, so I don’t remember for sure, but I’m PRETTY darn sure you don’t have to open any folders looking for anything. I forgot – when you renewed, did it give you a new license number? If so:

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If the blue Avast ball is spinning in your System Tray the program is active. Right clicking on that icon brings up the menu. I do all my scans manually, but it probably has a scheduling function. I’ve never checked because I don’t use the function.

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If the blue Avast ball is spinning in your System Tray the program is active. Right clicking on that icon brings up the menu. I do all my scans manually, but it probably has a scheduling function. I’ve never checked because I don’t use the function.

To go along with this posting, if you right click the blue spinning “a” ball and click On Access Protection Control at the top you will see that your Resident protection is “Active” and if you click “Details” or “Less details” at the bottom you will be able to see what is currently being scanned by scrolling thru the list of programs on the left hand side. I have mine set to Less Detail because there aren’t any known issues at this time. I do all my scans manually as well.

Hey Jude

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Scheduling of scans with Avast is only available in the Pro version. However, I just stumbled on this post that may be of some value to someone: HOWTO: Schedule Automatic Scans w/ Free Version!.

I’ve not tried this so I can’t vouch for it — be careful if you try it.

I do use Avast but only in “real time.”

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Scheduling of scans with Avast is only available in the Pro version. However, I just stumbled on this post that may be of some value to someone: HOWTO: Schedule Automatic Scans w/ Free Version!.

I’ve not tried this so I can’t vouch for it — be careful if you try it.

I do use Avast but only in “real time.”

That is one interesting read. If you go to page 7 it is updated to Dec 2009 and seems to work for folks. One user commented that when Version 5.0 comes out (I’m using 4.8) that the scheduling will be included in the free home edition too. Think I’ll wait. Since it runs real time I usually only manually run the drive scans weekly.

Hey Jude

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That is one interesting read. If you go to page 7 it is updated to Dec 2009 and seems to work for folks. One user commented that when Version 5.0 comes out (I’m using 4.8) that the scheduling will be included in the free home edition too. Think I’ll wait. Since it runs real time I usually only manually run the drive scans weekly.

Hey Jude

I see, that appears to be a pretty good tutorial for the Vista/7 OSes. I already use a similar method with Malwarebytes except I select the program then add the parameters “/quickscanterminate” and “/fullscanterminate”. If you go to my profile I just posted this with a few more details in another thread. I think I’ll suggest that post to the admins, perhaps they could make a section for tutorials.

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I see, that appears to be a pretty good tutorial for the Vista/7 OSes. I already use a similar method with Malwarebytes except I select the program then add the parameters “/quickscanterminate” and “/fullscanterminate”. If you go to my profile I just posted this with a few more details in another thread. I think I’ll suggest that post to the admins, perhaps they could make a section for tutorials.

That’s a great idea Gregory. I just installed Avast 5 free home version Avast 5 Free Version and am already liking it ALOT~~!

Hey Jude

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These posts have all been helpful. Thanks to all

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Hi asteven :

I am a firm Believer that Questions about a program are Best asked on that program’s Online Support Forums, IF they exist . Avast’s is at http://forum.avast.com/ and their “Home/Pro” forum would have been the place to ask . It seems you have not
read their “Frequently Asked Questions” and I recommend you browse through the Info at
http://www.avast.com/eng/faq-avast-4-home-professional.html . I do occasionally help out on those Forums, but NOT
in the area of the Ins and Outs of the Avast program .

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Hey Jude,

The biggest problem I had with the earlier version of Avast was the daily bombardment of pop ups wanting you to upgrade to the paid addition. This turned me off. Is this still happening?

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Hey Jude,

The biggest problem I had with the earlier version of Avast was the daily bombardment of pop ups wanting you to upgrade to the paid addition. This turned me off. Is this still happening?

I’ve been using Avast! for 2 or 3 years now, and that never happens to me.

Ian

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I use version 4.8 right now and the only pop ups I see are the daily ones advising the definitions have been updated.

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I also use 4-8 and I’ve never seen any pop-ups. Tried the Avast 5 version but had so many problems with it (as are several, according to the Avast forum) that I reverted back to 4.8 and all is running sweetly.

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I also use 4-8 and I’ve never seen any pop-ups.  Tried the Avast 5 version but had so many problems with it (as are several, according to the Avast forum) that I reverted back to 4.8 and all is running sweetly.  

I’d wondered about going for version 5, but if that’s how it is maybe I ought to stay with 4.8 for now and wait for the issues to be resolved.

Ian

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When I upgraded to Avast 5.0, the new interface and some of the new scanners took about a week for me to adjust to them, and I am a knowledgeable, long-time Avast user. Please don’t give up on this version — it’s really worth the learning curve. The scans are much faster, and there is more control available if you don’t settle for the default settings. I have had no trouble with the program or its updates, but I took the time to customize nearly everything available to the user through the full interface (the full-screen control center). With the right settings, this version is easier on system resources, can scan in a targeted or very broad and deep way, and there are absolutely NO NAGS OR (Nagging)POPUPS in the Free Edition. The only pop-ups which should be happening are virus alerts or information alerts about the program or the scanners.

And yes, folks, the Avast Tray Icon is ALWAYS orange.

I use Avast Free with Commodo Free (Firewall and Defense+) (Skip their antivirus.), and I have stayed virus-free for a couple of years now. Nothing else I’ve tried, free or paid, has even come close to this level of defense. Secondary scans with Malwarebytes Free and Super Antispyware also show a virus-free laptop. My Avast logs show numerous malicious scripts and Flash Objects being blocked each month. Avast just works — enough said.

I had more trouble from the recent Firefox 3.6 upgrade than I had from the Avast 5.0 upgrade.

-- rc primak

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… With the right settings, this version is easier on system resources…

Give us a clue – what kinds of settings do you have in mind here?

Ian

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Avast 5.0, like its predecessors, has a lot of user configurable settings, from Web Shields sensitivity to custom scan settings, to logging and reporting, and now, running statistics for many of the shields. I am a button-pusher who likes to tweak everything, so I have poked around every nook and cranny I could find in Avast 5. There are too many settings to mention here, but I have made sure that automatic updating (a background process) is disabled (yes, Avast will complain loudly about this!), and since the e-mail scanner does not scan SSL encrypted transmissions, I don’t use that feature at all. Scanning files on access can be limited or disabled, and the boot-time rootkit scan (a default setting) can also be disabled. Avast can also be set to load only after other Windows processes are up and running (a lifesaver if you have a slow-loading driver like my Intel ProSet Wireless Driver). Again, there’s way too much detail for me to give a full tutorial here, much as I love showing off my knowledge of the esoterica of Windows and freeware programs. Alwil has at the Avast Forums, several tutorials showing the basics. They are our most reliable resource on these matters. I am only pushing random buttons and praying nothing breaks!

-- rc primak

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Is Avast better than Avg? I have been an AVG user – well forever really.

I recently installed Avast and found that whenever I try to run anything (select a program), Avast checks it. Then I have to reselect it to open it. What a pain. Is this configurable? If not, I think I will have to miss out on Avast.

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Is Avast better than Avg? I have been an AVG user – well forever really.

I recently installed Avast and found that whenever I try to run anything (select a program), Avast checks it. Then I have to reselect it to open it. What a pain. Is this configurable? If not, I think I will have to miss out on Avast.

(1) Avast vs. AVG Free does have two great advantages — rootkit detection and advanced heuristics. Neither is found in AVG Free.

(2) Avast has “Scan Files on Access” enabled by default. In the Settings, this can be disabled. So can the Boot Scan for Rootkits. That would speed up Windows startups if you can live without the extra protections. Additionally, Avast has a setting which tells it to skip scanning files over a certain size. I think there’s a slider, and it can be adjusted so that only smaller files are pre-scanned. Also, over time, Avast “learns” not to scan files which have not been modified. I always fiddle around with settings everywhere I can find them, so that’s how I figure out these hidden features.

-- rc primak

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Hi Robie :

I have been using Avast since 2005 and occasionally help out on their
Online Support Forums; Avast is considered One of the most
configurably AVs . However, following the “turmoil” of their most recent
Version 5.0, I have NOT updated to this version and continue to use
Version 4.8 ( .1368 ), which is available at http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/

IF you did NOT completely “remove” AVG, including use of the
appropiate “Remover(s)” at http://www.avg.com/download-tools , it could
cause Avast to not properly function .

The latest “Retrospective/proactive” ( the degree of effectiveness of
keeping malware OFF a computer ) Testing done by the
Independent Researchers at http://www.av-comparatives.org :

Avast – 53% and an Advanced Plus Certification level
AVG – 49% and an Advanced Certification level .

Anyone considering “downgrading” from Avast 5.0 to 4.8 should realize
that there are 2 different “Uninstall Utility” for each version that need
to be appropiately used .

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