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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Beta - Avast => Topic started by: hectic-mmv on June 02, 2017, 03:43:40 PM

Title: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: hectic-mmv on June 02, 2017, 03:43:40 PM
Hi everyone,

new beta version 17.5.2298 is released.

What's new:
- Tiny Firewall for blocking EternalBlue exploit - (internal) It is a part of StreamFilter, turned ON/OFF by Webshield
- internal fixes

As many of you are aware Avast and AVG are 1 company now. Cause development of 2 different UIs takes different time, in this beta we introduce Ransomware shield in AVG beta now. You can expect Ransomware shield in Avast in next betas.

If you wanna try Ransomware protection in AVG build, check this link:
- https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=203373.0


Download links:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=179943.0


Enjoy this beta!
We are looking forward to your feedback.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Simion on June 02, 2017, 05:01:38 PM
I updated to .2298 through the program and rebooted once. I've run a Smart Scan and several demand and context menu scans. No issues to report.

Win 8.1
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: NON on June 02, 2017, 05:02:23 PM
Thanks for the beta.

Ransomeware shield is coming :D

BTW...
- Tiny Firewall for blocking EternalBlue exploit - (internal) It is a part of StreamFilter, turned ON/OFF by Online Shield
You mean Web Shield?
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 02, 2017, 05:03:16 PM
It is a part of StreamFilter, turned ON/OFF by Online Shield
Does that mean it's handled by AOS rather than one of the resident shields..??
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Rednose on June 02, 2017, 05:11:05 PM
You can find the Stream Filter setting here :

Avast - Settings - Components - Web Shield - Customise - Main settings - Use intelligent stream scanning.

Greetz, Red.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 02, 2017, 05:15:53 PM
It is a part of StreamFilter, turned ON/OFF by Online Shield
Does that mean it's handled by AOS rather than one of the resident shields..??
Initial post has been updated. Thanks.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Be Secure on June 02, 2017, 05:21:18 PM
Quote
Cause development of 2 different UIs takes different time, in this beta we introduce Ransomware shield in AVG beta now. You can expect Ransomware shield in Avast in next betas.
Ok but if avast is 1st one it would be great. :)

Quote
Cause development of 2 different UIs takes different time, in this beta we introduce Ransomware shield in AVG beta now.
Why not you guys blend both the products and make it 1 product.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: bob3160 on June 02, 2017, 07:33:18 PM

Quote
Cause development of 2 different UIs takes different time, in this beta we introduce Ransomware shield in AVG beta now.
Why not you guys blend both the products and make it 1 product.
Marketing
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: hectic-mmv on June 02, 2017, 07:57:47 PM

Quote
Cause development of 2 different UIs takes different time, in this beta we introduce Ransomware shield in AVG beta now.
Why not you guys blend both the products and make it 1 product.
Marketing

Under the hood, products are the same or different in small areas. The only one big difference is UI. This time, AVG UI was ready first so thats why Ransomware shield in UI is visible there. Under the hood, its ready for both brands. Stay tuned for next week.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 02, 2017, 08:55:01 PM
After running the beta for a while I got a second (silent..!!) reboot request.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: REDACTED on June 02, 2017, 09:55:24 PM
Removed:  Off topic    8)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 02, 2017, 10:00:43 PM
Does the home version of Avast really need a "mail shield".  I have my doubts how many home users are using pop email, rather than just using the web interface of gmail, outlook.com, yahoomail, etc..
Can't see any problem, if you don't need it you can always remove the component.
-> https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB96#artTitle (Add/Remove components)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: DavidR on June 03, 2017, 12:07:18 AM
Does the home version of Avast really need a "mail shield".  I have my doubts how many home users are using pop email, rather than just using the web interface of gmail, outlook.com, yahoomail, etc..

Well if the user does a Custom install, they can select several options from the drop down list, one of those is the Minimal install and that includes only the File System & Web Shields, no Mail Shield.

Personally I would leave it installed and I would also suggest it is set the 'Sensitivity' to its highest heuristic settings. If you aren't using an email client but web mail only, then it won't be using any resources. But it could well give your first indication of a hidden or undetected spam bot, these don't actually need to use your email client, but have their own very small POP client.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Be Secure on June 03, 2017, 04:33:47 AM
After running the beta for a while I got a second (silent..!!) reboot request.
Micro Update maybe... ;)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: RejZoR on June 03, 2017, 06:48:45 AM
We've talked about the Ransomware protection in prague, will there also be an extension based protection? Like for example, not only protecting a certain folder, but globally protecting a file type? For example, preventing ALL .jpg files from being modified by untrusted application. This way, you don't even have to specify a folder to protect, avast! could place extensions of commonly ransomwared file types in the list and all files would be protected regardless where they are located.

To date I'm not aware of any system that does this, they all rely on folder based protection which imo isn't enough and has too limited scope.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 03, 2017, 07:18:37 AM
After running the beta for a while I got a second (silent..!!) reboot request.
Micro Update maybe... ;)
As it also happened with 2297, it would be a big coincidence.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 03, 2017, 08:52:15 AM
A tiny bug, Passwords is listed twice. (See screenshot)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Be Secure on June 03, 2017, 10:43:30 AM
A tiny bug, Passwords is listed twice. (See screenshot)
Confirmed.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: bob3160 on June 03, 2017, 01:32:30 PM
I have one system that after a second reboot request became the Beta version of Avast. This computer has never used the beta version. ???
 (http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1496489574755-93335.png)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: cristianojgm on June 03, 2017, 03:00:46 PM
Is this ransomware shield similar to bitdefender?
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: REDACTED on June 03, 2017, 04:41:56 PM
Removed:  off topic    :)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: DavidR on June 03, 2017, 05:02:10 PM
As I said there have been times, seen in these forums, when the first instance of a hidden/undetected piece of malware was the presence of outgoing spam mails.

If the user has no email client, then no resources would be consumed, so there really no mega gain of not having the shield active. Not to mention the options given in a custom install, minimal install. Plus there are a number of components that I would suggest that could well be removed as I wouldn't consider them security related.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 03, 2017, 06:14:33 PM
Also, I'd say that this discussion is OT here, as it isn't directly related to the latest beta.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: REDACTED on June 03, 2017, 09:50:22 PM
Also, I'd say that this discussion is OT here, as it isn't directly related to the latest beta.

Yep............removed.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: RejZoR on June 04, 2017, 11:56:46 AM
When I was installing avast! Premier BETA, I've noticed Anti-Ransomware Shield is already listed in components page, but not activated in the main interface yet.

I wonder what's the purpose of 3 Shield switches under "Main UI -> Protection - Antivirus" when there are so many shields now that aren't listed there. It's kind of pointless and should just be removed entirely. We have to rely on Components menu for everything anyway, why clutter Antivirus page with it? Makes no sense.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Be Secure on June 04, 2017, 12:56:28 PM
When I was installing avast! Premier BETA, I've noticed Anti-Ransomware Shield is already listed in components page, but not activated in the main interface yet.

I wonder what's the purpose of 3 Shield switches under "Main UI -> Protection - Antivirus" when there are so many shields now that aren't listed there. It's kind of pointless and should just be removed entirely. We have to rely on Components menu for everything anyway, why clutter Antivirus page with it? Makes no sense.
Yes.Anti-ransomware Shield is already listed in components page, but not in setting components list thats makes no sence and Avast behavior shield and anti-ransomware description are same. ???
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Lord_Ami on June 04, 2017, 01:18:08 PM
There seems to be small graphical "glitch" when doing right click on icon - Registration information.

Both Update and Registration information are selected via this shortcut.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: bob3160 on June 04, 2017, 01:32:08 PM
@Lord_Ami,
For me, doing a right click does nothing. Left click selects the selected topic ???
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Lord_Ami on June 04, 2017, 02:28:17 PM
@Lord_Ami,
For me, doing a right click does nothing. Left click selects the selected topic ???
I mean on the Avast tray icon :)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: bob3160 on June 04, 2017, 03:02:31 PM
@Lord_Ami,
For me, doing a right click does nothing. Left click selects the selected topic ???
I mean on the Avast tray icon :)
I can confirm that result. :)
(http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1496581382278-39511.png)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: RejZoR on June 04, 2017, 03:22:36 PM
Says "Subscription information" instead of "Registration information" in my case. Hm. Using US English.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: bob3160 on June 04, 2017, 03:30:32 PM
Says "Subscription information" instead of "Registration information" in my case. Hm. Using US English.
(http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1496583006533-19596.png)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: DavidR on June 04, 2017, 04:26:37 PM
Says "Subscription information" instead of "Registration information" in my case. Hm. Using US English.

Could that be because you are running Avast Premier which is a subscription/license product and not Avast Free.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Alikhan on June 04, 2017, 05:08:10 PM
There seems to be small graphical "glitch" when doing right click on icon - Show registration information.

Both Update and Registration information are selected via this shortcut.

I reported this minor bug on February 20th via the dev channel. It was a known issue then and still is.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: irongod on June 05, 2017, 08:53:47 PM
Does the home version of Avast really need a "mail shield".  I have my doubts how many home users are using pop email, rather than just using the web interface of gmail, outlook.com, yahoomail, etc..

Well if the user does a Custom install, they can select several options from the drop down list, one of those is the Minimal install and that includes only the File System & Web Shields, no Mail Shield.

Personally I would leave it installed and I would also suggest it is set the 'Sensitivity' to its highest heuristic settings. If you aren't using an email client but web mail only, then it won't be using any resources. But it could well give your first indication of a hidden or undetected spam bot, these don't actually need to use your email client, but have their own very small POP client.

On this matter I was just wondering whether the Mail shield and the Anti-spam work only with Outlook and Thunderbird or with other clients as well... I have been using for a while "Windows Mail" (v17 on Win10), but I never saw any Avast warning or "Avast Spam Box"... 
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: DavidR on June 05, 2017, 09:45:22 PM
<snip quotes>

On this matter I was just wondering whether the Mail shield and the Anti-spam work only with Outlook and Thunderbird or with other clients as well... I have been using for a while "Windows Mail" (v17 on Win10), but I never saw any Avast warning or "Avast Spam Box"... 

The Mail Shield protects email clients not webmail, which would be covered by the web shield.

For the most part it will try to work with all email clients (I use Thunderbird without issue), there are some strange ones that may not be compatible, such a Eudura. There is no anti-spam in the mail shield, that only occurs if you are using MS Outlook email client as that has an add-on essentially the mail shield is working inside the client.

I don't use Windows Mail, A.K.A. Windows Live Mail, formally Outlook Express. I presume you are using it as webmail ?
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: DavidR on June 05, 2017, 10:00:05 PM
BSOD, BSOD, BSOD.
OK, I have just restored my last drive image taken before updating to this beta (now back with 17.5.2296), whilst I didn't find any issues (didn't really have time to do any testing). I felt like a crash test dummy and needed a seatbelt on my computer chair.

I had a BSOD during the restart after the update, after the reboot avast again asked for a reboot. Did that no BSOD, but whilst working I got another BSOD. The final straw was this evening when in the avastUI one of the screens was blank (white) and the UI locked up, couldn't close it.

I used tray icon to open about avast, and got to troubleshooting to disable the avast self defence module. I killed the avastUI.exe but it still didn't like that I had no UI but a ghost space on the screen and the avastUI still on the Taskbar.

I then got my third BSOD and with the time wasted already (hours) I wasn't going to keep on with this, I restored my last drive image which took between 15-20 minutes all in.

So far all appears stable on 17.5.2296 and have switched to Manual Program Update. I have collected 3 minidumps and two memory.dmp files if anyone is interested, no support package run.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 06, 2017, 06:56:14 AM
Hi, can anyone from the team please enlighten me/us what "Sensitive Data Scan" is for..!?
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: DavidR on June 06, 2017, 09:56:03 AM
Hi, can anyone from the team please enlighten me/us what "Sensitive Data Scan" is for..!?

Didn't we have something before about protecting 'Private Data' before (possibly I'm thinking about SecureLine VPN), but certainly 'not' a scan. How they would determine what is private data much less scan for it.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Asyn on June 06, 2017, 12:18:02 PM
Hi, can anyone from the team please enlighten me/us what "Sensitive Data Scan" is for..!?
Didn't we have something before about protecting 'Private Data' before (possibly I'm thinking about SecureLine VPN), but certainly 'not' a scan. How they would determine what is private data much less scan for it.
It's new and I also asked about it on Slack, reply is still pending...
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Dave Twydell on June 06, 2017, 06:30:31 PM
running very nice very smooth on windows 10 x64
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Rednose on June 09, 2017, 02:54:56 AM
Hi, can anyone from the team please enlighten me/us what "Sensitive Data Scan" is for..!?
Didn't we have something before about protecting 'Private Data' before (possibly I'm thinking about SecureLine VPN), but certainly 'not' a scan. How they would determine what is private data much less scan for it.
It's new and I also asked about it on Slack, reply is still pending...

It is a premium feature for Avast Internet Security and Premier, that will be slowly rolled out after the June release.
We are not allowed to tell you more at the moment :-\

Greetz, Red.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: bob3160 on June 09, 2017, 03:12:09 PM
Hi, can anyone from the team please enlighten me/us what "Sensitive Data Scan" is for..!?
Didn't we have something before about protecting 'Private Data' before (possibly I'm thinking about SecureLine VPN), but certainly 'not' a scan. How they would determine what is private data much less scan for it.
It's new and I also asked about it on Slack, reply is still pending...

It is a premium feature for Avast Internet Security and Premier, that will be slowly rolled out after the June release.
We are not allowed to tell you more at the moment :-\

Greetz, Red.
We also don't know any more about the feature at the moment. :)
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: Rednose on June 09, 2017, 05:41:07 PM
We also don't know any more about the feature at the moment. :)

Martin Zima has explained yesterday on Slack what this new feature basicly does.
Maybe you have missed that :)

Greetz, Red.
Title: Re: Avast Beta 17.5.2298
Post by: bob3160 on June 09, 2017, 05:45:50 PM
We also don't know any more about the feature at the moment. :)

Martin Zima has explained yesterday on Slack what this new feature basicly does.
Maybe you have missed that :)

Greetz, Red.
I read the description which is the reason for my post. The description was fairly vague and probably for a reason. :)