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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on January 01, 2017, 08:47:48 PM

Title: Is Avast really stopping things?
Post by: REDACTED on January 01, 2017, 08:47:48 PM

I'm running an up to date Avast (12.3.2280) on my Win7 system.
Yesterday I downloaded a 'zip' file that when I opened it, turned out to be not what it should have been.
Avast popped up saying it had stopped... bla bla bla, something & I backed out, deleted the file.
I then noticed a number of new shortcuts on my desktop... links to websites. (so I deleted them)
Today when I started up the computer & opened my browser (chrome) I found the page it opens to (normally Google.ca) had been changed  to some porn site (http://pbgvv.kikdating.club/c/da57dc555e50572d?s1=776&s2=5771&click_id=1586957ba7fe35433288295). Trying to reset the page Chrome opens to has not been successful & I'm still trying to figure out how & where it's jumping to the porn site.

Is THIS the kind of protection that I get with the free version of Avast, or have I neglected to set some setting that would have prevented it?
After years of using a different free antivirus, I recently switched to Avast. If this is protection.. I'm not impressed.

Title: Re: Is Avast really stopping things?
Post by: Eddy on January 01, 2017, 09:00:03 PM

There is no such thing as 100% detection/prevention.

Do you have PUP detection enabled ?
It is off by default for legal reasons.

For help with malware removal > https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

Title: Re: Is Avast really stopping things?
Post by: Pondus on January 01, 2017, 09:24:51 PM

If you got crap in your browser you may try:

AdwCleaner  >>  https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

Junkware Removal Tool  >>  https://www.malwarebytes.com/junkwareremovaltool/

If still a problem and you need help, follow instructions in the link Eddy gave you

Title: Re: Is Avast really stopping things?
Post by: Rednose on January 01, 2017, 11:05:44 PM

Quote from: stargehzer2 on January 01, 2017, 08:47:48 PM

or have I neglected to set some setting that would have prevented it?

Enable Hardened mode Agressive, so only whitelisted files can be opened :

Avast - Settings - General - Enable Hardened mode  - Agressive.

Avast has an impressive whitelist, and I recommend it to the Avast users I help as well :)

Greetz, Red.

Title: Re: Is Avast really stopping things?
Post by: bob3160 on January 02, 2017, 03:02:03 PM

Quote from: Rednose on January 01, 2017, 11:05:44 PM

Quote from: stargehzer2 on January 01, 2017, 08:47:48 PM

or have I neglected to set some setting that would have prevented it?

Enable Hardened mode Agressive, so only whitelisted files can be opened :

Avast - Settings - General - Enable Hardened mode  - Agressive.

Avast has an impressive whitelist, and I recommend it to the Avast users I help as well :)

Greetz, Red.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx6t8ZVtwfI