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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: greyowl on February 21, 2011, 08:19:19 PM

Title: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: greyowl on February 21, 2011, 08:19:19 PM: I have recently studied the results of the Proactive Security Challenge. I am surprised by the results showing the Avast Internet Security score of 3% which is near the bottom of the pack.

I would appreciate some understanding from others of these result.

Thanks
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: marc-d-l on February 21, 2011, 08:29:44 PM: Don't believe all you read from matousec. Ask yourself how is my computer doing with Avast.
For me Avast is doing a great job and am staying with it.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: DavidR on February 21, 2011, 08:40:12 PM: Totally disregard it as the results are flawed as in one test I believe they crippled the AIS version to use as a stand alone firewall when it is designed to be incorporated with the other AIS components.

Not to mention that is a totally unrealistic test as no regular user runs AIS in that way.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Gargamel360 on February 21, 2011, 08:40:12 PM: Today I studied coffee, comparing Black java to Cream/Sugar added.

The results of this study where much more fulfilling than Matousec.

Matousec essentially tests HIPS, unless something has changed since last I checked. And Avast! has no HIPS. So perhaps the better question isn't "Why did Avast! score so low?", but rather "Why is Avast! even in being tested for something it does not have?"
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Tgell on February 21, 2011, 11:20:20 PM: If you look at the latest tests from Malware Research Group, avast! is starting to do pretty good on zero-day malware.

http://malwareresearchgroup.com/category/malwareproducttesting/
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: greyowl on February 22, 2011, 01:01:41 AM: Thank you for the information and reference to the MRG tests

I am wondering if it would be necessary or advisable to have a HIPS app to run with Avast. If so, which HIPS would you recommend?

Thanks
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: CraigB on February 22, 2011, 05:43:52 AM: Quote from: greyowl on February 22, 2011, 01:01:41 AM
Thank you for the information and reference to the MRG tests

I am wondering if it would be necessary or advisable to have a HIPS app to run with Avast. If so, which HIPS would you recommend?

Thanks
You already have hips monitoring in winpatrol.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: greyowl on February 22, 2011, 02:38:43 PM: Oh, thank for clarifying this.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: gery on February 22, 2011, 09:46:27 PM: it is not a mere firewall testing but rather a HIPS testing thing. But Avast firewall has a long way to go to become a very strong one such as OUTPOST or Online Armor etc
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: ImWarm on February 23, 2011, 12:19:19 AM: Quote from: gery on February 22, 2011, 09:46:27 PM
But Avast firewall has a long way to go to become a very strong one such as OUTPOST or Online Armor etc
Why are you stating that as a fact, when you are not even familiar with avast's firewall? ::)

Quote from: gery on February 22, 2011, 02:33:37 PM
AIS is ok but i have no idea how good the firewall is?
The avast Firewall was designed for easy usability. It does its job quietly without any user interaction (Unless you prefer to have more control, then you can set it to Ask mode). It defends against hacker attacks very well, has its own application control (so no constant popups), and strong self-protection. Here's a review (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358467,00.asp) that talks about it and gives you a good idea on how it works.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: greyowl on February 23, 2011, 03:06:08 AM: Thanks again for the information.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Dwarden on February 23, 2011, 08:22:56 AM: actually the Matousec tests aren't that bad if You understood what they about
source is included so if there is need to really incorporate such protection it's just question of will and time ...

ofcourse these suites and products which aren't complex HIPS & variants will fail ...

Quote from: Tgell on February 21, 2011, 11:20:20 PM
If you look at the latest tests from Malware Research Group, avast! is starting to do pretty good on zero-day malware.

http://malwareresearchgroup.com/category/malwareproducttesting/

sadly failed yesterday again but it's sign of improvement so i'm sure it rapidly change after final v6 hits ...
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: GloobyGoob on February 23, 2011, 08:28:04 AM: http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/matousec-personal-firewall-tests-analyzed.htm
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Dwarden on February 23, 2011, 08:36:42 AM: old analysis also completely ignoring the fact all the tests are available as opensource
http://www.matousec.com/projects/security-software-testing-suite/

two-phase testing :
1. free (i think each 6 months or so)
2. paid if company want re-test outside free test periods

imo the only wrong is the methology which uses 'incremental levels' passes
so application can fail on low level even while being perfect on all higher level tests
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Henrique - RJ on June 04, 2011, 09:45:45 PM: The score in Matousec it's improving.

Look the new result (pdf):

http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/reports/PSC%20report%20-%20avast%21%20Internet%20Security%206.0.1000.pdf
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Jose_Lisbon on June 04, 2011, 10:26:42 PM: Matousec's are HIPS tests (not FW ones as per se).
They have to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Henrique - RJ on June 04, 2011, 10:56:35 PM: But you need to see details of the tests.

Some tests are not applied.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: spg SCOTT on June 04, 2011, 11:06:15 PM: Aside from my personal prejudices against any tests...

...that link that you posted to the latest matousec test is for norton...
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Henrique - RJ on June 04, 2011, 11:17:10 PM: Ok Ok

I edited the post.
Title: Re: Matousec Proactive Security Challenge
Post by: Dwarden on June 06, 2011, 11:16:57 PM: it's good to see improvements ... let's hope next test triples the score as this one :)