I wonder in the next program update if The Script shield will start scanning webpages in IE9 on 64 bit pcs
Hi,I am not sure but it may be a service of this kind: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-credit-fraud-alert.htm
Could someone please tell me what exactly is a "CreditAlert" feature (US customers only)?
Thanks in advance,
T.
Hi,
Could someone please tell me what exactly is a "CreditAlert" feature (US customers only)?
Thanks in advance,
T.
you can find more information about the CreditAlert feature here:
http://www.avast.com/lp-credit-alert#tab2-1
Basically we will be offering 2 products:
CreditAlert Free - monitors your credit report and notify via avast! if any change occur
CreditAlert Premium - monitoring + gives you a full access to your credit report + credit scores, from the 3 US credit bureaus (price is set to $9.95/month)
This product(feature) is provided with our partner company ID Watchdog.
You have it, so why not use it? Browse virtually with avast! SafeZone
Will the release WebRep be compatible with FF 5?Yes! On my Win7 32bit with FF5
@spg SCOTT: I agree about the process field, not present anymore in the web shield alert, this should definitely be brought back. If you deactivate the webshield and let the fileshield intercept EICAR, then the alert is just as it always was, showing which process was involved.It there if web shield is set to ask, but seeing as the default is to abort (plus the network shield is the same) this will only confuse things...especially when people get random alerts, and the process field was useful in tracking down what caused them (if it was a browser it was just a blocked wepage...if it was explorer/svchost, or some other file, then it was on the machine...
As to the page linked to the alert button, I don't mind the content, i.e. promoting the safezone currently. What I find pushy though is the size of that button ;D + the info page doesn't bring any security info at all... it's a purely Avast promoting page. Worldwide statistics are not gonna help anyone whose system has just been attacked >>> bring some relevant malware info instead ::)
edit: promoting AIS through a virus alert is just bad taste ... one question: does this button link to the same page when triggered from Avast "free"... as I see this text here:QuoteYou have it, so why not use it? Browse virtually with avast! SafeZone
Have to say...I'm not liking the change to the alerts...
Where has the Process field gone?
<snip>
sounds to me like pretty obviously, people clicking for the first time on the "more details" button will just expect detailed info about the precise malware that was blocked, no?
Edit: promoting AIS through a virus alert is just bad taste ... one question: does this button link to the same page when triggered from Avast "free"... as I see this text here:Hmmm... I tend to feel the same as Logos.
Edit: promoting AIS through a virus alert is just bad taste ... one question: does this button link to the same page when triggered from Avast "free"... as I see this text here:Hmmm... I tend to feel the same as Logos.
More info should have a minor size and MUST give technical information. Otherwise, just promotion.
avast free blocks the invasion and you say "Yes, that was close, but relax... avast! just saved a crash!".
I agree that Process information is very useful, not least for us helping on the forums as knowing the process involved helps determine what is going on. Typically Malicious URL alerts when the process involved is svchost.exe, etc. generally this is a rootkit issue and possible MBR rootkit.
Just downloading right now-can't wait for the real update! Maybe the webrep update for FF v5 will be in it too.Yes it is.
I agree that Process information is very useful, not least for us helping on the forums as knowing the process involved helps determine what is going on. Typically Malicious URL alerts when the process involved is svchost.exe, etc. generally this is a rootkit issue and possible MBR rootkit.
Now that process will change to "Please change the settings in the webshield to ask, then report back the process when it happens again..."
It is there when the setting is on ask, but seeing as the default actions are to do something, then most people will not see the process listed...
Just downloading right now-can't wait for the real update! Maybe the webrep update for FF v5 will be in it too.
Seems good the CreditAlert feature, although only US available.
Will the release WebRep be compatible with FF 5?
Where is this CreditAlert feature? I am in the US and I don't see any reference to it in the GUI.
- introduced new CreditAlert feature (US customers only)
Where is this CreditAlert feature? I am in the US and I don't see any reference to it in the GUI.
- introduced new CreditAlert feature (US customers only)
The only place that I see the CreditAlert is under Settings (in the upper toolbar) when you navigate to Maintenance | CreditAlert Settings. You can disable the popups there. I haven't dug further.
The only place that I see the CreditAlert is under Settings (in the upper toolbar) when you navigate to Maintenance | CreditAlert Settings. You can disable the popups there. I haven't dug further.
The only place that I see the CreditAlert is under Settings (in the upper toolbar) when you navigate to Maintenance | CreditAlert Settings. You can disable the popups there. I haven't dug further.
Thanks Gopher. They didn't make it very obvious. I thought it would have been under "Additional Protection".
You can choose betweeen free or premium alerts.
Terms and Conditions of Credit Alert
http://www.avast.com/terms-credit-alert?p_pro=1&p_vep=6&p_ves=0&p_lqa=0&p_lsu=0&p_lst=0&p_lex=0&p_lng=en&p_lid=en-ww&p_elm=27
EDIT: After registering under settings/maintenance a tab under "Additional Protection" appears.
What exactly is the free registration monitoring?
Below is a screenshot.
The only place that I see the CreditAlert is under Settings (in the upper toolbar) when you navigate to Maintenance | CreditAlert Settings. You can disable the popups there. I haven't dug further.
Thanks Gopher. They didn't make it very obvious. I thought it would have been under "Additional Protection".
You can choose betweeen free or premium alerts.
Terms and Conditions of Credit Alert
http://www.avast.com/terms-credit-alert?p_pro=1&p_vep=6&p_ves=0&p_lqa=0&p_lsu=0&p_lst=0&p_lex=0&p_lng=en&p_lid=en-ww&p_elm=27
EDIT: After registering under settings/maintenance a tab under "Additional Protection" appears.
What exactly is the free registration monitoring?
Below is a screenshot.
Where is this CreditAlert feature? I am in the US and I don't see any reference to it in the GUI.
- introduced new CreditAlert feature (US customers only)
ID Snapshot: If You detect any irregularities or potential irregularities as a result of the Services, You may request an ID Snapshot report. This report utilizes more detailed information gathered from certain databases, including those accessed by the other Premium Services as well as additional database resources, for the purpose of identifying any facets of your identity that may have been affected by identity theft. In order to receive an ID Snapshot Report, You must first provide a signed and dated Delegation of Power to ID Watchdog. ID Snapshot services are governed by ID Watchdog’s separate terms and conditions available at: www.idwatchdog.com. Your periodic Premium Services fee does not include ID Snapshot for any Pre-Existing Conditions (as defined below).
I agree that Process information is very useful, not least for us helping on the forums as knowing the process involved helps determine what is going on. Typically Malicious URL alerts when the process involved is svchost.exe, etc. generally this is a rootkit issue and possible MBR rootkit.
Now that process will change to "Please change the settings in the webshield to ask, then report back the process when it happens again..."
It is there when the setting is on ask, but seeing as the default actions are to do something, then most people will not see the process listed...
Re: Credit Alert. I read the web page with the info and have some questions.
1. What information do you have to supply in order to activate it?
Please provide an exact detailed list of information that needs to be supplied including information like Social Security number.
2. Does it start out as a monthly recurring charge or can you set it up initially for only one month?
3. If you decide to stop the service at any time how do you do that?
4. Is this service outsourced to a third party?
If it is outsourced to a third party like a credit agency, please provide the link to that agency.
That are all the questions I have at this time.
Thanks :)
The only place that I see the CreditAlert is under Settings (in the upper toolbar) when you navigate to Maintenance | CreditAlert Settings. You can disable the popups there. I haven't dug further.
Thanks Gopher. They didn't make it very obvious. I thought it would have been under "Additional Protection".
You can choose betweeen free or premium alerts.
Terms and Conditions of Credit Alert
http://www.avast.com/terms-credit-alert?p_pro=1&p_vep=6&p_ves=0&p_lqa=0&p_lsu=0&p_lst=0&p_lex=0&p_lng=en&p_lid=en-ww&p_elm=27
EDIT: After registering under settings/maintenance a tab under "Additional Protection" appears.
What exactly is the free registration monitoring?
Below is a screenshot.
This will only be in the paid versions of Avast, right?
Jack
Where is this CreditAlert feature? I am in the US and I don't see any reference to it in the GUI.
- introduced new CreditAlert feature (US customers only)
The only place that I see the CreditAlert is under Settings (in the upper toolbar) when you navigate to Maintenance | CreditAlert Settings. You can disable the popups there. I haven't dug further.
No, it will be in all versions, but actively promoting only in Free so far.
is there any advantage of this over the previous version for free avast? any bug fixes included?
This is hopefully going to be a smooth service release, designed really just to fix some of the issues of the previous v6.0 builds.
Only the major changes are mentioned in the list in the first post.
is there any advantage of this over the previous version for free avast? any bug fixes included?
Read the first post, see highlighted section.Quote from: VlkThis is hopefully going to be a smooth service release, designed really just to fix some of the issues of the previous v6.0 builds.
Only the major changes are mentioned in the list in the first post.
it does not say if these bug fixes are for the free or paid version or both?These bug fixes are for the bugs in all versions.
No I mean exactly what I said read the first post other than what is listed I have no idea what has been incorporated.Only the major changes are mentioned in the list in the first post.
Do you mean that performance improvements were integrated?
1. No I mean exactly what I said read the first post other than what is listed I have no idea what has been incorporated.
2. I haven't noticed any discernible difference in the Quick scan duration, just ran two quick scans one after the other and both were slower than my last scan before the update, but we are talking seconds so well within any margin of data differences..
As a paid user, I can not stress enough, that paid users had better not be subjected to pop-ups and advertising from CreditAlert. I have no problem if avast! implements this strategy for the Free version, but if it happens in the paid versions, I will look elsewhere for protection.
I am having a problem. I installed the new update of avast yesterday as it requested I do so.What do you mean? Who tells you to update?
As a paid user, I can not stress enough, that paid users had better not be subjected to pop-ups and advertising from CreditAlert. I have no problem if avast! implements this strategy for the Free version, but if it happens in the paid versions, I will look elsewhere for protection.
i LOVE avast but have to agree, honestly this should be something that is part of the custom installer and can be unchecked and NOT installed as i will never use this on any of my systems as well as i personally know people who have had very bad experiences with watchdog in the past...if it becomes intrusive i will look elsewhere, why oh why do companies keep adding junk to great programs (imo)
I am not now, nor will I ever be the least interested in Credit Alert's services. As long as there is a way to either do a custom install, or simply uncheck a box in the settings to disable all alerts from Credit alert, then I am good. But if for one second as a paid user, I have to put up with pop-ups, banners or any other crap from a 3rd party company, I will immediately uninstall avast! and eat the 3yrs remaining on my subscription..........I am less then thrilled with this.Well... If I knew I'll get popups, well, I will never say good things about this new feature either ;D
Hi,
Could someone please tell me what exactly is a "CreditAlert" feature (US customers only)?
Thanks in advance,
T.
Hi Tetsuo,
you can find more information about the CreditAlert feature here:
http://www.avast.com/lp-credit-alert#tab2-1
Basically we will be offering 2 products:
CreditAlert Free - monitors your credit report and notify via avast! if any change occur
CreditAlert Premium - monitoring + gives you a full access to your credit report + credit scores, from the 3 US credit bureaus (price is set to $9.95/month)
This product(feature) is provided with our partner company ID Watchdog.
1. The missing "process" information in the virus alert toaster. This is actually an unintended omission (a bug) - the process information should indeed be there, and will be there in the final version.
I disabled the CreditAlert popups in the Settings without registering for it. Will my Avast install contact ID WatchDog in any fashion during my normal browsing, or when I access my online financial institutions?
Hi Martin,
Just wondering to know whether those features also can used by Indonesian user as well?
And when thiss feature we can see in avast features?
cheer,
I am having a problem. I installed the new update of avast yesterday as it requested I do so. After that my computer froze and I had to restart. It still froze. I restarted in safe mode and uninstalled the new avast. Problem fixed. But how can I make it work? I want to use avast I have been using the free program for years. I am running windows 7 any help would be appreciated.
Hi Martin,
Just wondering to know whether those features also can used by Indonesian user as well?
And when thiss feature we can see in avast features?
cheer,
Hi Martin and Ondrej,
Thanks for all of your explanations.
Know i bit understand about Avast! CreditAlert feature offerings.
cheers,
Hi Yanto,
this feature is available in US only so far. Martin
It seems that two things are worth explaining:
1. The missing "process" information in the virus alert toaster. This is actually an unintended omission (a bug) - the process information should indeed be there, and will be there in the final version.
2. CreditAlert. I see a lot of discussion about this feature, and also some confusion (probably resulting from a lack of information from our side). So, let me explain it in a few sentences now. CreditAlert is a completely voluntary service that you actually have to sign up for. The sign up process includes providing part of your social security number as well as a verification of your identity (we don't want other people to be receiving your credit alerts - so as part of the sign up process, you could be asked some tricky question that no one else can answer (similar to e.g. setting up an account in some banks etc)). This basically answers the concerns about the feature being "pushy" (or prominently presented in the avast UI) - it's actually the opposite, you will have to produce some non-trivial activity to enable the feature. Now, once you sign up, you will get an alert whenever your credit changes in a suspicious way. The optional paid version will then allow you to review all the changes in a high level detail, as well as to take some remediation actions if needed.
Now, we fully understand that the feature is not directly related to AV protection, and that the feedback on including this feature into avast may not be 100% positive. But we still thought it might be an interesting value-add for some of our users. We also tried to craft it so that it's pretty much invisible in the UI unless you actually go through the sign-up process.
Thanks
Vlk
I disabled the CreditAlert popups in the Settings without registering for it. Will my Avast install contact ID WatchDog in any fashion during my normal browsing, or when I access my online financial institutions?
No, and even if you use the CreditAlert service no information is sent from your PC to ID Watchdog. The information flow is: Credit Bureaus -> ID Watchdog -> avast!
I believe there might be a bit of a misunderstanding here :)
This feature has nothing to do with your online financial transactions or your bank account, so there's no point in "looking over your shoulder" anyway.
Does anyone else get a UI hang of Avast if they goto Firewall settings/Expert settings and click on Friends?I can confirm that.
Here's the list of the most important changes:
- improved compatibility with Windows Vista SP0/SP1
- attempt to solve the "Windows Media Player using a red skin" problem
- Firewall: improved compatibility with uTorrent
- improved the sample submission process
- introduced new CreditAlert feature (US customers only)
- improved load time of WebRep IE plugin
- improvements in the silent installer
- improvements in the sandbox module
- added Thai and Serbian language packs
What's new sandbox or AutoSandbox?
@Micky86,What's new sandbox or AutoSandbox?
- fixed compatibility issue with Vista SP0/SP1 genuine validation
- fixed all known bsods in aswsp.sys (behavior shield), most of them were posted on this forum
- fixed several bsods in sandbox (logging issue; compatibility issue with dynamic disks)
- fixed problem with virtualization of Firefox bookmarks
- improved 64-bit hooking algorithm
not related to sandbox:
- fixed on-access scanning of ntfs streams
- improved the sample submission process
"Do not use Chrome as avast! default browser" (Settings/Troubleshooting).Hmmm... Should it be there? It was not released to the translators and it's not translated... Seems it slipped out...
Could just somebody tell me what it stands for ??? ??? ???
i see not a single mention of stability or BSOD fixes in changeloghttp://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=80315.msg658672#msg658672
are they in or we still waiting ?
Must admit I had forgotten about that, but I didn't notice any difference when submitting a possible FP earlier today.
Should it be in Avast FREE? As I understand this option is necessary only in paid versions with SafeZone."Do not use Chrome as avast! default browser" (Settings/Troubleshooting).Hmmm... Should it be there? It was not released to the translators and it's not translated... Seems it slipped out...
Could just somebody tell me what it stands for ??? ??? ???
Does anyone else get a UI hang of Avast if they goto Firewall settings/Expert settings and click on Friends?I can confirm that.
DJBone
confirming complete AvastUI freezing and crash happening when clicking on the "friends" tab in firewall advanced settings
This option isn't intended for SafeZone -- but if you installed Chrome with avast (and this option isn't checked), then webpages opened by avast will not be opened by your default web browser but in Chrome instead.Please, inform Trevor that this (and any other) string must be released to translators.
Can't test this now as I'm on free version for a while.Does anyone else get a UI hang of Avast if they goto Firewall settings/Expert settings and click on Friends?I can confirm that.
DJBoneconfirming complete AvastUI freezing and crash happening when clicking on the "friends" tab in firewall advanced settings
Yes, I can confirm that too.
Greetz, Red.
This option isn't intended for SafeZone -- but if you installed Chrome with avast (and this option isn't checked), then webpages opened by avast will not be opened by your default web browser but in Chrome instead.
Yes, though it has nothing to do with the new program build (it's inside of the virus definitions).Good to hear that.
Yes, though it has nothing to do with the new program build (it's inside of the virus definitions).
ok then it is not a bug that the virus definitions are decreased?
ok then it is not a bug that the virus definitions are decreased?
ok then it is not a bug that the virus definitions are decreased?
Anyone else having the problem, that the computers with Avast installed are not reachable via Windows file share (normal share and administrative share). I noticed it on two XP machines, where I installed it. I also tried the final on one machine with the same result.
we will soon be releasing a new program update of avast. And as usual, we're making it available for public testing a few days before the official release. The version number is 6.0.1184.
...how long does it take?
...how long does it take?
Everytime anyone asks it automatically takes one day longer. :P
I can't find the NEW creditcard featre anywhere i have looked everywhere in the settings but can't find it , can someone help me please???You mean CreditAlert? It's only for US customers.
I can't find the NEW creditcard featre anywhere i have looked everywhere in the settings but can't find it , can someone help me please???You mean CreditAlert? It's only for US customers.
Are you talking AV or AIS?Sorry for the late answer. I am talking about the free version of Avast. One XP machine got Comodo firewall, the other the plain Windows Firewall.
If it is AIS, you must configure the firewall to enable traffic...
??? what is creditalert
And what makes you think that the monitoring is done as a repeated sequence of checks?
I don't know if "monitoring" is the same as "checking", but nevertheless, it's just one of many reasons why I won't even consider using CreditAlert.
And what makes you think that the monitoring is done as a repeated sequence of checks?Like I said earlier, I have no idea if there is a difference or not. But I do know that I won't take the chance. At least it's an opt-in service, so I can live with it as a paid customer.
I Do not get bsod some of my cust do with 1125 will not put cust in beta an forum do with beta 1184
Igor I hope Vincent reads all your posts and he fire you.Vincent, please, do not fire Igor.
update to 6.0.1184 (bsods are fixed there)
OK, I don't want to start a fire again, but... ;D I hope firefighters are ready ;D Igor, any ideas why I've got this one? http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=80315.msg659695#msg659695 I had no BSOD's until beta.
To avast team credit report when you check on report your credit go down each time at end you have no credit.Good job avast to make us have no credit. VLK,PK,IGOR,MARTINZ.
All I want is a light fast, uptodate anti-virus program.You have it... And very customizable also...
Once again please concentrate on your core strength, instead of adding all these useless features.If the user can choose, I see no problem. The user can disable, or even not install it.
There is only one program, one installer... how would you expect the separation to be done?
As for the "bloating"... if unused, the feature might take some 10KB on your disk, that's it. No resource usage, no registry, no effect on speed for sure.
To avast team credit report when you check on report your credit go down each time at end you have no credit.Good job avast to make us have no credit. VLK,PK,IGOR,MARTINZ.
Hi DBone and Arizona,
the credit monitoring is done through the ID Watchdog, which has mutual agreements with the 3 US Credit Bureaus. So it's not the same as checking your credit report with a car dealer ;-) The credit is monitored once per 24h, so imagine that each check would lower it..;-D
So...
1. CreditAlert does not influence your credit score
2. It's a optional feature, so if you don't like it, don't use it
Martin
All I want is a light fast, uptodate anti-virus program.
However, to me bloatware is any additional program or option that comes with the program that is not are not part of the main function of the program regardless of whether you choose to install the additional program or use the feature or not. While one could make a good argument that credit alert updates and information are part of Internet Security it seems to me to be a bit of a stretch. Your credit can be messed up by many ways that have nothing to do with the Internet, e.g. stolen mail, creditor error, not paying bills when due or at all, credit company screw up with your database, erroneously reported information to credit companies and so on. So therefore, I consider the credit alert option to be bloatware.
Following that reasoning, you'd have to say that the WebRep component is also bloatware and I would tend to agree with that. If it isn't directly related to security and preventing infection, then maybe it doesn't belong.There is only one program, one installer... how would you expect the separation to be done?
As for the "bloating"... if unused, the feature might take some 10KB on your disk, that's it. No resource usage, no registry, no effect on speed for sure.
Sorry about that. In the normal computer parlance you are correct that using only 10KB on your disk is not bloatware.
However, to me bloatware is any additional program or option that comes with the program that is not are not part of the main function of the program regardless of whether you choose to install the additional program or use the feature or not. While one could make a good argument that credit alert updates and information are part of Internet Security it seems to me to be a bit of a stretch. Your credit can be messed up by many ways that have nothing to do with the Internet, e.g. stolen mail, creditor error, not paying bills when due or at all, credit company screw up with your database, erroneously reported information to credit companies and so on. So therefore, I consider the credit alert option to be bloatware.
You are right that it's a bit similar. Yes, WebRep is not about infections in the sense of a malicious piece of computer code that performs something unwanted.
WebRep is about a "higher level" of danger (from the logical point of view, not necessarily in the actual severity or sophistication) - WebRep is about pages where you ordered something, paid for that but never actually received anything, pages where they tried to trick you into doing something you should actually avoid, pages where you registered and you've been spammed ever since, pages you wouldn't want your children to visit... etc. There's nothing wrong with the webpage from the computer point of view (no exploits, no malicious binaries, no hidden frames) - but the (human) intent behind that page might be bad, and WebRep makes it possible for the users to share their experiences with that (thus warning others of the danger) - something that a content scanner cannot see, no matter how sophisticated it is.
So again, I believe it actually is related to security - just not to the "computer code or network traffic"-only security.
regardless of whether you choose to install the additional program or use the feature or not.I disagree. It does regard, it's not regardless in my opinion.
So therefore, I consider the credit alert option to be bloatware.Don't use it.
I suppose it won't be very surprising if I wouldn't agree :)
First, I don't see why one type of threat should be more important or serious than the other.
Second, with all the polymorphism, scrambling and hiding, PUPs and fake AVs - and the resulting heuristics on the scanners side, we're long past the "proven" threats anyway.
Third, you are right that you cannot protect people from themselves - but that includes the "ordinary" virus scanning as well (now I'm referring to people disabling their AV scanners to get to an infected site, filling complex forms and complaining about false positives that are obviously not, etc.) So we can at least try, or call it all futile and go do something else.
And fourth, I am not sure what "most" users expect from their AV tool, but I'd say that if the numbers were considered, most members on this forum would belong to a small minority of users, with the remaining majority having rather different preferences. But that's just a personal guess for sure.
WebRep makes it possible for the users to share their experiences with that (thus warning others of the danger) - something that a content scanner cannot see, no matter how sophisticated it is.Fully agree.
So again, I believe it actually is related to security - just not to the "computer code or network traffic"-only security.
This should not be included in the core Avast product.It's not included (bundled with). It's optional.
There has been so much criticism of AV vendors 'inventing' extra functionality to make their products more appealing and supposedly give them a competitive edgeIf avast is releasing it for free... ???
means trying to stay one step ahead of the things you mention by developing effective heuristic / behavioural / HIPS analysis techniques + signaturesThey're working on it. SuspBehav signatures recently released for instance, the auto-sandboxing, the future browser sandboxing... they're working on it for sure :)
EDIT: One of the reasons I like this forum is that it's possible to have an intelligent debate on issues like this without being slammed for doing so (unlike some of the 'wilder' forums I know ;))Of course... If we can't debate, we can't progress :)
This should not be included in the core Avast product.It's not included (bundled with). It's optional.There has been so much criticism of AV vendors 'inventing' extra functionality to make their products more appealing and supposedly give them a competitive edgeIf avast is releasing it for free... ???
They're working on it. SuspBehav signatures recently released for instance, the auto-sandboxing, the future browser sandboxing... they're working on it for sure :)
Jem, I was just saying that avast release the antivirus and other features for free.
They're not attracting the users for the pro version with them.
The pro worths what the pro features add (not the free ones) I think.
I would, however, like to see this fixed - which I consider to be a bug, as did others:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=77396.msg640902#msg640902
regardless of whether you choose to install the additional program or use the feature or not.I disagree. It does regard, it's not regardless in my opinion.So therefore, I consider the credit alert option to be bloatware.Don't use it.
However, to me bloatware is any additional program or option that comes with the program that is not are not part of the main function of the program regardless of whether you choose to install the additional program or use the feature or not.
You are right that it's a bit similar. Yes, WebRep is not about infections in the sense of a malicious piece of computer code that performs something unwanted.
WebRep is about a "higher level" of danger (from the logical point of view, not necessarily in the actual severity or sophistication) - WebRep is about pages where you ordered something, paid for that but never actually received anything, pages where they tried to trick you into doing something you should actually avoid, pages where you registered and you've been spammed ever since, pages you wouldn't want your children to visit... etc. There's nothing wrong with the webpage from the computer point of view (no exploits, no malicious binaries, no hidden frames) - but the (human) intent behind that page might be bad, and WebRep makes it possible for the users to share their experiences with that (thus warning others of the danger) - something that a content scanner cannot see, no matter how sophisticated it is.
So again, I believe it actually is related to security - just not to the "computer code or network traffic"-only security.
Thanks for clarification on what WebRep does. Based upon what you just wrote and my experience with WOT they do different things. People may be critical of WOT but I have found that when they warn in red on a URL it can be because of malicous software. I have checked a number of the websites that they warn in red about and have found them to contain malicious software. I think that they also warn for content but this generates a ton of false positives because a number of webpages that have been identified by WOT in red are not PC websites. No need to expand on this. :)
Jem, I was just saying that avast release the antivirus and other features for free.I don't fully agree with this. Avast clearly (at least partially) offers the free version as a means of making people aware of them and of how good their products are. Then they hope that some of those people will decide to upgrade to the full or pro versions. It's a form of advertising.
They're not attracting the users for the pro version with them.
The pro worths what the pro features add (not the free ones) I think.
I don't fully agree with this. Avast clearly (at least partially) offers the free version as a means of making people aware of them and of how good their products are. Then they hope that some of those people will decide to upgrade to the full or pro versions. It's a form of advertising.Sure. The final objective is conquering another pro user.
since installing the ais beta i got this browser(chromium)on my desktop?is this the safezone shortcut?Yes... I've thought this bug was already solved... It is resurrecting :P
I went through some of the posts partly in reply to my post and others' views. Some of them quite immature - do not use it, switch to another AV, etc.I believe you have had your explainations over your so called views on bloatware, as igor mentioned the coding is about 10Kb and without being activated its using no resources and even if it were activated avast would still be using far less resources than any other av so if your not happy with it your free to change to another av because i dont think avast is going to change just for a couple of people who dont know what there talking about, good luck.
I am making my view known as a paid customer. I and I am sure many others chose avast! as it was a light fast av which did its core job very well. Its resources have been compromised by these additional (and in my view unnecessary features). Avast had huge issues with Dell with initial v6 because of this bloat and some friends did switch to AVG.
I still feel that webrep, credit check, etc. types of features do lead to bloat. After all the code is already installed on my PC, since all I have to do is check a box in the UI. It is not a matter of 10k or 1g.
If at all these features or 'enhancements' for those who want them must be made available as add-ons or plug-ins or better still even as separate programs.
new build ??? ;)
so when i open that chromium shortcut and do online banking thats using safezone,everything in that browser is isolated from the system correct?No. You're just opening a browser but NOT the SafeZone.
I still feel that webrep, credit check, etc. types of features do lead to bloat.Not everybody thinks this way.
At least they are moving forward. Certain other AV's seem to have stagnated. I just recently started using Avast 6 on a laptop and really like it so far.http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=302158
new build ??? ;)
My source told me not today, but maybe tomorrow.
Greetz, Red.
so when i open that chromium shortcut and do online banking thats using safezone,everything in that browser is isolated from the system correct?No. You're just opening a browser but NOT the SafeZone.
SafeZone needs special opening using the avast icon (I never used the gadgets).
OK, I don't want to start a fire again, but... ;D I hope firefighters are ready ;D Igor, any ideas why I've got this one? http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=80315.msg659695#msg659695 I had no BSOD's until beta.this bsod was related to utorrent changes in the latest beta, it should be fixed now..
One more today - the same problem, I think avast and utorret 3.0 stable (build 25406). I hope it will be fixed with next beta update...
One more today - the same problem, I think avast and utorret 3.0 stable (build 25406). I hope it will be fixed with next beta update...
Second one... That's it, uploading memory dump to FTP. Twice a day is too much ;D Just went for cold tea, and what I see - good morning, Blue ;D ;D
not needed, we already got your 2 minidumps -- this bug was fixed today, sorry!
I have not tried this beta yet, but is it's Webrep plugin supporting the new Firefox 5? FF5 is already out a week now.
It would be nice if Avast worked on improving their detection rates and stopped worrying about ID theft and website reputations. I've been using Avast for a long time and I've seen it change and improve, but I have no use for the WebRep plugin(yes I have it disabled)or the credit feature they want to include(yes I'll disable that also, or not register). Some people like it, whatever floats your boat.Exactly my point. I have webrep disabled and the ID/credit issue does not apply to me. But I read so many posts of PCs being infected inspite of having avast! installed with a standard response of an av cannot catch everything. So I would rather avast concentrate all their resources on virus/threat detection to improve the product instead of adding these features.
That's a rather funny idea.
The detections / heuristics is worked on by the virus lab, while the program features are added/maintain by the (basically unrelated) team of developers - a different group of people, different skills. So if you think that not adding new features would have any effect on the detection... sorry, it wouldn't.
So I would rather avast concentrate all their resources on virus/threat detection to improve the product instead of adding these features.And what people think avast team is doing? ???
Webrep has taken so many program iterations to get it finally working reasonably and now FF5 is released so avast has to work on that. Same with sandboxing / safezone. Sandboxie was always there for people who wanted to browse sandboxed. I do not want it in my AV. So avast resources are being diverted for all this instead of improving detection / heuristics.I won't expect that software improvement requires interaction. Comes and goes...
That's a rather funny idea.
The detections / heuristics is worked on by the virus lab, while the program features are added/maintain by the (basically unrelated) team of developers - a different group of people, different skills. So if you think that not adding new features would have any effect on the detection... sorry, it wouldn't.
I guess the point here is that one could hope that redirecting some of these program features developers resources to work on better detections in the virus lab would make more sense.
That's a rather funny idea.
The detections / heuristics is worked on by the virus lab, while the program features are added/maintain by the (basically unrelated) team of developers - a different group of people, different skills. So if you think that not adding new features would have any effect on the detection... sorry, it wouldn't.
I guess the point here is that one could hope that redirecting some of these program features developers resources to work on better detections in the virus lab would make more sense.
As I said - different people, different skills.
If you were in charge of a hospital and wanted to improve the dental care there - would you redirect your surgeons to help with that? (or vice versa, doesn't really matter)
That's a rather funny idea.
The detections / heuristics is worked on by the virus lab, while the program features are added/maintain by the (basically unrelated) team of developers - a different group of people, different skills. So if you think that not adding new features would have any effect on the detection... sorry, it wouldn't.
I guess the point here is that one could hope that redirecting some of these program features developers resources to work on better detections in the virus lab would make more sense.
new build ??? ;)
My source told me not today, but maybe tomorrow.
Greetz, Red.
Less bells and whistles, better detection rates, nobody cares which group works on it.Agree.
Less bells and whistles, better detection rates, nobody cares which group works on it.Agree.
Just that I don't see any bells and whistles here... Just useful/optional features.
new build ??? ;)
My source told me not today, but maybe tomorrow.
Greetz, Red.
What happened Red?
Vlk, Chrome changed it's icon since version 10.
http://chrome.blogspot.com/2011/03/fresh-take-on-icon.html
Wouldn't be nice to see the new updated icon on the WebRep tab?
Thank you for your work on this great antivirus :)
okay maybe something minor, not sure if that's reproducible on all systems but I've had this for a while (not just on this version): some lag while switching from the Application Rules tab to the Network Connections tab... IIRC this has already happened months ago, and that was fixed...
new build ??? ;)
My source told me not today, but maybe tomorrow.
Greetz, Red.
What happened Red?
All I know from my first source at Avast! is that they had to fix a network bug.
But I just heard from a different source at Avast! that the new Beta update is ready to be released. So it is up to Vlk now if it will be tonight ;)
Greetz, Red.
what was the network bug that needed to be fixed?
<snip>
Does anyone have a new Scan in the Scan Now tab? I have one named "? ? ? ?" at the bottom of the list. I don't remember creating it, and only noticed it after this update.
Does anyone have a new Scan in the Scan Now tab? I have one named "? ? ? ?" at the bottom of the list. I don't remember creating it, and only noticed it after this update.I can't confirm that.
mm works good except silent installer:
(http://www.imagengratis.org/images/dibujoavast.jpg)
folders in directory:
(http://www.imagengratis.org/images/dibujolh4ol.jpg)
thanks
but doesn't fix the pop up bug
i set 0 to disable the pop ups
but it does work
i know there is a game mode , but i would like to shut down the pop ups
Does anyone have a new Scan in the Scan Now tab? I have one named "? ? ? ?" at the bottom of the list. I don't remember creating it, and only noticed it after this update.
<snip>
Here's the list of the most important changes:
- improved compatibility with Windows Vista SP0/SP1
- attempt to solve the "Windows Media Player using a red skin" problem
- Firewall: improved compatibility with uTorrent
- improved the sample submission process
- introduced new CreditAlert feature (US customers only)
<snip>
Thanks
Vlk
mm works good except silent installer:
(http://www.imagengratis.org/images/dibujoavast.jpg)
folders in directory:
(http://www.imagengratis.org/images/dibujolh4ol.jpg)
How do you do the silent install, exactly?
And what language version of Windows do you have?
Thanks
Vlk
CreditAlert monitoring for Non-US users.
CreditAlert monitoring for Non-US users.
I was having a rummage around in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVAST Software\Avast\log folder for something else and found the creditmonitor.log file. Considering this CreditAlert feature is meant to be US customers and is opt-in, see below.
.......
"US users" doesn't mean "English version" - you can live in US and have a Chinese version installed.
What is the problem with the log? It basically just says that you didn't register for that option, so nothing is going to happen.
"US users" doesn't mean "English version" - you can live in US and have a Chinese version installed.
What is the problem with the log? It basically just says that you didn't register for that option, so nothing is going to happen.
01/07/2011 12:31:45 (Thread ID: 956) OK: Try to start credit monitor thread
01/07/2011 12:31:45 (Thread ID: 2076) OK: Subscriber ID doesn't exist, waiting for install event
Does anyone have a new Scan in the Scan Now tab? I have one named "? ? ? ?" at the bottom of the list. I don't remember creating it, and only noticed it after this update.
Nothing wrong with my system!
"US users" doesn't mean "English version" - you can live in US and have a Chinese version installed.Yeah I myself can live with that, but I also think if this feature is disabled on AvastUI then this logging or checking could be disabled, like DavidR says.
What is the problem with the log? It basically just says that you didn't register for that option, so nothing is going to happen.
what will happen to my subscription if I install AIS beta over 6.0.1125?
"US users" doesn't mean "English version" - you can live in US and have a Chinese version installed.Yeah I myself can live with that, but I also think if this feature is disabled on AvastUI then this logging or checking could be disabled, like DavidR says.
What is the problem with the log? It basically just says that you didn't register for that option, so nothing is going to happen.
There is no reliable way to determine who is a US user and who is not - so there are no "A", "B1" or "C1" conditions.
It's very simple: registered ==> active, not registered ==> disabled.
The log just says "going to check whether the feature is enabled... no it's not."
OK, maybe the log is a bit too verbose, I certainly wouldn't have any problem with hiding those two lines... but that's all.
01/07/2011 12:31:45 (Thread ID: 956) OK: Try to start credit monitor thread
01/07/2011 12:31:45 (Thread ID: 2076) OK: Subscriber ID doesn't exist, waiting for install event
There is no reliable way to determine who is a US user and who is not - so there are no "A", "B1" or "C1" conditions.
It's very simple: registered ==> active, not registered ==> disabled.
The log just says "going to check whether the feature is enabled... no it's not."
OK, maybe the log is a bit too verbose, I certainly wouldn't have any problem with hiding those two lines... but that's all.
OK, my bad - the settings in the UI are shown only when the Windows locale is US English. While I don't think it's a very good solution (there are definitely a lot of people in the US who may have a different language set), it's probably good enough for the start.
But OK, those two log lines will be hidden :)
I'm afraid that would be exactly the same - when translated into the compute code.
Instead of checking whether the feature is registered, the code would be checking whether the feature is installed.
I mean, yes, everybody might be happier, but in reality it doesn't make much sense because it's the same piece of code.
OK, a bit more in detail then.
First, I don't understand why a credit alert feature doesn't sound good on a machine with sensitive banking data - when it has absolutely nothing to do with them... no idea.
Second, there has to be a checking whether the feature is installed - if there wasn't, it wouldn't be possible to install that feature, it simply wouldn't exist.
Third, the feature is tiny - it does nearly nothing locally (I mean even if registered/activated). If registered, it only connects to our server occasionally and downloads a status update (without sending any data out there); if the status says there was a change, a popup is shown. Basically all the code is already there in avast! for other purposes (contacting our servers, showing popups, rendering HTML code) - so the feature reuses that code and grows the whole program only an insignificant bit.
The feature is so tiny that making it separable, which means adding some code into avast! setup that would make it possible to add/remove that feature, and making it connectible into the program once installed - could actually make the program bigger (without that feature installed) than it is now, with that feature installed. So... I kinda don't see the point in separating it.
I suggest you test compatibility with Raxco PerfectDisk 12 Professional on Windows XP SP3 32bit.
For as long as i had this AIS beta installed, my netbook was grinding HDD badly on startup, everything took ages to open, PerfectDisk couldn't perform boot defrag. After i've removed avast!, everything was working again. I'm donwloading AIS beta again to doublecheck.
EDIT:
Not sure which avast! component exactly is causing it but yeah, i can confirm it's reproducable.
Installed it 3 times and each time after installation, awful HDD grinding and really bad performance. After i've removed it, everything was fine again. The latest stable version however doesn't seem to exhibit such problems...
I suggest you test compatibility with Raxco PerfectDisk 12 Professional on Windows XP SP3 32bit.
For as long as i had this AIS beta installed, my netbook was grinding HDD badly on startup, everything took ages to open, PerfectDisk couldn't perform boot defrag. After i've removed avast!, everything was working again. I'm donwloading AIS beta again to doublecheck.
EDIT:
Not sure which avast! component exactly is causing it but yeah, i can confirm it's reproducable.
Installed it 3 times and each time after installation, awful HDD grinding and really bad performance. After i've removed it, everything was fine again. The latest stable version however doesn't seem to exhibit such problems...
I used Perfect Disk for years up through PD11 Home Premium. I thought PD11 HP was buggy and start-up both W7 x32 and x64 took a long time. I finally dumped it and replaced it with Smart Defrag. (It is free). I have been using Smart Defrag for a few months and it does the job for me. A lot lighter on resources and boots and restarts are faster. JME :)
OK, a bit more in detail then.
.......
Can we have a break from all the talk about the credit reporting feature? This thread is supposed to be about actual problems with the beta, not about the ethics or desirability of a feature or function of the program. Legitimate problem reports are being drowned out by all this useless debate. Please take it to another thread or to PM, as I for one am tired of hearing it!! >:(
I've been getting BSOD on both beta 1184 and 1198 just at the end of the install process. This is on Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit. Build 1125 installs fine.
That's simple - the "wouldn't exist" means it wouldn't be possible to have it even for US users. There is only one build of avast!, one installer - and it's not going to change (it would make many things rather complicated, both for the users and for us). Therefore, there has to be, and will be, checks for installed features inside (be it the various shields, language modules, Sandbox, SafeZone, firewall, antispam, webrep, Vista gadget... or anything else). It's the same as checking for the version of the operating system - that's also done on every start (instead of having separate installers for Windows 2000, Windows XP before SP2, Windows XP after SP2, Vista 32bit, Vista 64bit... that would be crazy, and you might have to uninstall and install a "new" product after updating your service pack, for example). Or, checking for the installed programs (Is Outlook installed? Fine, let's use the mail-scanning plugin. Is the filesystem NTFS? OK, let's use the persistent cache. Etc...)
The thing is that the mere considering such a check a problem is kinda ridiculous. The program performs thousands of similar checks on every start, new virus definitions regularly add operations that are orders of magnitude bigger and slower than that... and nobody notices. So this common one-microsecond check can hardly fit the MIB analogy, as you aren't bothered by that, and actually have no way of telling whether such a check has happened.
So this is not "fighting hard to leave the code inside" - it's fighting against doing a completely illogical thing (from the programming point of view) which would take effort to implement, increase the complexity of the code (bringing some more bugs), increase the size of the code - and in the end, the result would actually be exactly the same as it was before, just with one additional checkbox visible somewhere.
As for the "bad feeling"... well, not sure what to say about that. I'd probably just point out that the antivirus already checks files on your disks for malware, redirects and scans your network connections for malicious code, checks your e-mail... which is where the sensitive data really are, and nobody seems to have a problem with that. Yet a simple feature which does nothing at all when not registered, and when it is registered it only receives data, doesn't send anything anywhere... is suddenly a problem. I mean, we are trying to protect your data, not to compromise them... but if we (or any other antivirus or security program you might have installed) really turned "to the dark side" and wanted to harvest your private data (or whatever else that this bad feeling might include), it would be rather stupid to add a new suspiciously sounding feature to do that - when all the necessary mechanisms are already there for years.
Anyway, this is not my "decision" (and my work also doesn't include this particular feature), it was just my attempt to explain the technical background (i.e. basically a personal opinion of somebody who knows a bit about avast! internals). However, since it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, I suppose that's the last input from me on that topic as well.
...and they both have Avast, ZoneAlarm Firewall...
I suggest you test compatibility with Raxco PerfectDisk 12 Professional on Windows XP SP3 32bit.
For as long as i had this AIS beta installed, my netbook was grinding HDD badly on startup, everything took ages to open, PerfectDisk couldn't perform boot defrag. After i've removed avast!, everything was working again. I'm donwloading AIS beta again to doublecheck.
EDIT:
Not sure which avast! component exactly is causing it but yeah, i can confirm it's reproducable.
Installed it 3 times and each time after installation, awful HDD grinding and really bad performance. After i've removed it, everything was fine again. The latest stable version however doesn't seem to exhibit such problems...
I used Perfect Disk for years up through PD11 Home Premium. I thought PD11 HP was buggy and start-up both W7 x32 and x64 took a long time. I finally dumped it and replaced it with Smart Defrag. (It is free). I have been using Smart Defrag for a few months and it does the job for me. A lot lighter on resources and boots and restarts are faster. JME :)
Well, that still doesn't change the fact that PerfectDisk 12 Pro was working fine with current stable version but doesn't with this beta which means there is something wrong with this beta.
Plus you can't just expect all the users not involved here to just stop using PerfectDisk because you happen to prefer SmartDefag. I've tried it and it's not bad but some will just prefer PerfectDisk and if they do, it has to work properly with avast!.
Am I the only one that is having trouble with exclusions not working?I am on the same boat...
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=80315.msg661298#msg661298
Am I the only one that is having trouble with exclusions not working?
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=80315.msg661298#msg661298
@Vladimyr, we're working on this off the forum.
That's simple - the "wouldn't exist" means it wouldn't be possible to have it even for US users. There is only one build of avast!, one installer - and it's not going to change (it would make many things rather complicated, both for the users and for us). Therefore, there has to be, and will be, checks for installed features inside (be it the various shields, language modules, Sandbox, SafeZone, firewall, antispam, webrep, Vista gadget... or anything else). It's the same as checking for the version of the operating system - that's also done on every start (instead of having separate installers for Windows 2000, Windows XP before SP2, Windows XP after SP2, Vista 32bit, Vista 64bit... that would be crazy, and you might have to uninstall and install a "new" product after updating your service pack, for example). Or, checking for the installed programs (Is Outlook installed? Fine, let's use the mail-scanning plugin. Is the filesystem NTFS? OK, let's use the persistent cache. Etc...)You can keep defending this, but I still feel that if you keep adding 10 such features that we do not want, that 1 millisecond becomes 10 and I get another 10 log files hitting my SSD and so on and so forth. Then how is avast different from Norton or AVG who seem to take over me and my system? While I trust avast and have also paid for it, I, DavidR and others outside US feel that this is simply not done.
The thing is that the mere considering such a check a problem is kinda ridiculous. The program performs thousands of similar checks on every start, new virus definitions regularly add operations that are orders of magnitude bigger and slower than that... and nobody notices. So this common one-microsecond check can hardly fit the MIB analogy, as you aren't bothered by that, and actually have no way of telling whether such a check has happened.
So this is not "fighting hard to leave the code inside" - it's fighting against doing a completely illogical thing (from the programming point of view) which would take effort to implement, increase the complexity of the code (bringing some more bugs), increase the size of the code - and in the end, the result would actually be exactly the same as it was before, just with one additional checkbox visible somewhere.
As for the "bad feeling"... well, not sure what to say about that. I'd probably just point out that the antivirus already checks files on your disks for malware, redirects and scans your network connections for malicious code, checks your e-mail... which is where the sensitive data really are, and nobody seems to have a problem with that. Yet a simple feature which does nothing at all when not registered, and when it is registered it only receives data, doesn't send anything anywhere... is suddenly a problem. I mean, we are trying to protect your data, not to compromise them... but if we (or any other antivirus or security program you might have installed) really turned "to the dark side" and wanted to harvest your private data (or whatever else that this bad feeling might include), it would be rather stupid to add a new suspiciously sounding feature to do that - when all the necessary mechanisms are already there for years.
Anyway, this is not my "decision" (and my work also doesn't include this particular feature), it was just my attempt to explain the technical background (i.e. basically a personal opinion of somebody who knows a bit about avast! internals). However, since it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, I suppose that's the last input from me on that topic as well.
Please keep the installation code of this feature and others that avast may dream of, completely separate from your core AV program. I really do not want it on my system at all. Initially it was said there is only 10kb of code. And it does not get activated till it is opted in. But then we find that there is a start-up check as well. Then we find that there is a log file as well. Then there is talk of hiding the log file so that we do not know about it. What else is there in this 'feature'? even if not opted in?
It's just that the exclusions selection dialog works on folders (i.e. enters the whole folder into the exclusion list), no special meaning... if you enter the exact file path manually or copy&paste it from somewhere else, the exclusion will work.
That's hard to say - as I don't know what files take so long to scan/emulate.
I'd say try only the executable first and see if it helps.
Anyone using Facebook noticed?
I kinda have this problem in chatting and commenting stuff. My comments sometimes never gets posted or the chat message is never received by the recipient. Or I cannot receive theirs.
Most often people are asking me if I am angry for not replying even after they said Hi to me 3 times although i never got a single Hi
Is it the problem with Facebook or Avast or what?
Nice build though, thanks :)
Does Avast do program updates of beta versions?
I got a blue update popup telling me to update to 1198,is this the beta or final version?
Does Avast do program updates of beta versions?
I got a blue update popup telling me to update to 1198,is this the beta or final version?
why doesn't my Script Shield scan nothing? In every version of Avast my script shield scans nothing how is this possible?
it's been reported that the script shield doesn't work on many systems (including mine). I actually don't bother installing it.