Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Demeter on November 14, 2008, 12:51:43 AM
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I just downloaded and installed Avast free 4.8. Their web site (see this page):
http://www.avast.com/ says the free version has anti-spyware protection, but nowhere in the program, or its Help, does it say anything about spyware protection. It all talks about viruses only. I'm curious, because if it really doesn't have spyware protection then I have to download a free anti-spyware program too.
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It is incorporated into the main program, you don't have to run it as a separate function, etc.
Even so I still have specialist anti-spyware/malware programs to improve overall protection. A single program is unlikely to provide 100% protection which is why I take a multi-application approach to security.
If you haven't already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and periodically run it.
1. SUPERantispyware (http://www.superantispyware.com) On-Demand only in free version.
2. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware freeware version http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/malwarebytes/mbam-setup.exe (http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/malwarebytes/mbam-setup.exe), right click on the link and select Save As or Save File (As depending on your browser), save it to a location where you can find it easily later.
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Hi....
Along with what David has suggested, SpywareBlaster is another nice program to have...
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Spyware Terminator has free real time protection but does require a little know how in configuring the program and handling alerts...
http://www.spywareterminator.com/
Hope we have been of help. :)
Best Regards...
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It is an interesting question,
Yes, according to Awil it does detect spyware and malware, but they don't really provide any details as to what extent. Whilst agreeing with DavidR and ardvark that it is advisable to have additional dedicated antispyware/antimalware software, and I do use some of the software they mention, it would be nice to have some understanding of the type of protection that Avast! is providing and the extent of that protection. For instance Avast! doesn't use "immunisation" or registry "zone blocking entries", it doesn't appear to provide any browser home page hijack protection, or host file locking.
Aside from rootkit detection, is it's malware/spyware protection only during a scan (on demand), or is it realtime?. If it is realtime, then is this function via the standard shield or the web shield, or both?
Perhaps this information is available, in which case I would appreciate a pointer to it. In the meantime, I rely on Avast! as great antivirus software, and any other protection it might offer as a bonus, but I don't rely on it as front line antivirusd/malware protection.
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Aside from rootkit detection, is it's malware/spyware protection only during a scan (on demand), or is it realtime?. If it is realtime, then is this function via the standard shield or the web shield, or both?
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i'd say its realtime because its detected like the viruses - they are integrated into the database; standard and webshield use the same database so both should detect it.
yours
onlysomeone
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Do the spyware programs you mentioned run in real time, or just when you tell them to? I don't want two programs monitoring for spyware all the time, just one. But I would like the opportunity to use a separate, extra spyware program once a month or so.
-Carol
It is incorporated into the main program, you don't have to run it as a separate function, etc.
Even so I still have specialist anti-spyware/malware programs to improve overall protection. A single program is unlikely to provide 100% protection which is why I take a multi-application approach to security.
If you haven't already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and periodically run it.
1. SUPERantispyware (http://www.superantispyware.com) On-Demand only in free version.
2. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware freeware version http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/malwarebytes/mbam-setup.exe (http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/malwarebytes/mbam-setup.exe), right click on the link and select Save As or Save File (As depending on your browser), save it to a location where you can find it easily later.
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Do the spyware programs you mentioned run in real time, or just when you tell them to? I don't want two programs monitoring for spyware all the time, just one. But I would like the opportunity to use a separate, extra spyware program once a month or so.
Hi Carol...
The programs David mentioned require payment to run in real time, so installing them as is (free versions) won't force you to choose. ;D
Spyware Terminator is the only one that I know of besides Spybot SD that offers free real time protection.
Best Regards...
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Windows Defender (http://www.filehippo.com/download_microsoft_antispyware/) has real-time scanning, scheduled scanning & on-demand scanning. Real-time can be disabled if you only want scheduled scanning &/or on-demand scanning. It's FREE. XP & Vista only.
Spyware Doctor from Google Pack (http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_installer.html) has limited real-time protection, scheduled scanning & on-demand scanning. Real-time can be disabled if you only want scheduled scanning &/or on-demand scanning. It's FREE. XP & Vista only.
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Windows Defender (http://www.filehippo.com/download_microsoft_antispyware/) has real-time scanning, scheduled scanning & on-demand scanning. Real-time can be disabled if you only want scheduled scanning &/or on-demand scanning. It's FREE. XP & Vista only.
Hi rdmaloyjr...
Whoops, forgot about Windows defender, even though I use it on my system. ;D
Best Regards...
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so is it okay to run avast with spybot search and destroy being set to scan all the time? i am in the midst of a mess right now and windef always says everythings great although avast picks up stuff.
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The only concern with S&D's TeaTimer is if it whacks the avast icon, ashDisp.exe (a user startup entry) as on occasion it has.