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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: n01clueless on August 02, 2011, 03:29:45 PM

Title: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 02, 2011, 03:29:45 PM
I never thought I would switch from Avira but I became an Avast convert the other day. The Ask toolbar and Uniblue affiliation were steps too far for me, both of which Avira used to detect as malware. Clearly I'm not alone in this view, just look at any tech forum or review site. For instance, the highly regarded Gizmo Freeware site recently demoted Avira AntiVir from its long held number one spot to third (Avast is the new number one!) for these very reasons.

The Avira forum is also now heavily censored regarding the Ask and Uniblue affiliation and has become a complete joke.

The only reason I stuck with Avira for so long was because of its superior detection rates, but Avast has now closed the gap, plus you can only get Avira's WebGuard in the free version if you install the Ask toolbar. Disgraceful.

 
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Omid Farhang on August 02, 2011, 03:50:09 PM
1. As a Paid user of Avira and being close to their team, I never have had problem.

2. Uniblue ads had a short-life.

3. You are NOT forced to use Ask-Toolbar, you can just ignore it and keep using your Avira without that too, even if you install it, you can keep using Google Chrome as a browser that is fast and safe and without Ask-Toolbar inside.

Even if you give 1000 reason for switch from Avira to avast, I can give you 1001 reason to get back to Avira! ;)
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Lisandro on August 02, 2011, 04:00:13 PM
Censorship here is very very small (if any). Of course, there are forum rules.
As you can see, even Omid has his place in our hearts  :-*
The general atmosphere is about cooperation and friendship.

I can't believe they do that with the WebGuard... Welcome to avast forums :)
You've found the paradise  8)
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Omid Farhang on August 02, 2011, 04:12:55 PM
As you can see, even Omid has his place in our hearts  :-*
::) ;D
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 02, 2011, 04:18:16 PM
Thanks for the welcome Tech.

So, Omid, you see nothing wrong in an affiliation with two companies whose products Avira previously reported as malware, and whose reputations are anything but glowing?

 
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Nesivos on August 02, 2011, 04:35:24 PM
Gizmo has some strange ratings.

I prefer CNET

Having said that user reviews of the current version of Avira Free at CNET are not very good.

They give the current version of Avira Free only a three star rating with about 25% of the reviews giving it a one star.  I didn't bother reading why they don't like the current version as I have no intention of switching from AIS.  For anyone interested here is the link

http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html (http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html)

Avira Premium Security Suite is ranked 26th among Anti-Virus software on CNET

http://download.cnet.com/Avira-Premium-Security-Suite/3000-2239_4-10683930.html (http://download.cnet.com/Avira-Premium-Security-Suite/3000-2239_4-10683930.html)

AIS in currently ranked #2 among Internet Security Suites at CNET and avast! Free #3.  avast! Pro is currently ranked only 20th though it has very good reviews.  ISTM since the rankings at CNET are based upon the number of downloads the reason that avast! Pro is ranked so low is because users find AIS to be a superior purchase to avast! Pro in terms of bang for the buck. :)
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: antrox on August 02, 2011, 04:58:24 PM
I used the Avira Personal, but then try Avast Free.
Avira has a much higher detector (particularly on new types of viruses) and convenient wizard setup, but otherwise it is worse and poorer.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Omid Farhang on August 02, 2011, 05:14:11 PM

So, Omid, you see nothing wrong in an affiliation with two companies whose products Avira previously reported as malware, and whose reputations are anything but glowing?


I've been first one who tested Avira (Beta) with Toolbar and so I've been first person who said "Don't do it!" to the management team. same goes about Uniblue, But I don't know what's the secret money or any other kind of support which they did not mind and did not get rid of Ask Toolbar, but what's the problem? you are still perfectly safe and by using a browser which does not support Ask Toolbar (Google Chrome) you will get benefits of WebGuard without having Toolbar in your browser...

Avira never detected Ask-Toolbar as malware in the past, neither as Adware nor SPR (Security Privacy Risk).
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 02, 2011, 05:51:37 PM
Avira never detected Ask-Toolbar as malware in the past, neither as Adware nor SPR (Security Privacy Risk).

For someone who claims to be close to the Avira team and the first person to test with toolbar you seem to know surprisingly little about the product. If you go to AntiVir Personal for Windows in the Avira Support forum, under 'Announcements and important threads' you will see 'FAQ Avira SearchFree Toolbar', of which the first paragraph reads:

"FAQ Avira SearchFree Toolbar
Did Avira flag Ask.com Toolbar in the past as ad- and spyware?
"Yes, in at least one instance in the past, Avira AntiVir has flagged the Ask.com toolbar as possible adware/spyware ('ADSPY' detection). At the time, the Ask.com toolbar was part of programs which have been known for adware. This situation led to the flagging of Ask.com toolbar."

Sascha Beyer,
COO Products & Services"


As for the problem, it's blatantly obvious to most people. The Ask toolbar and Uniblue are sleazeware and scareware of the sleaziest and scariest kind. Go to any reputable tech forum with a problem, upload your logs, and the first thing they will say is get rid of this garbage (from personal experience this is exactly what Bleeping Computer instructed me to do).

An antivirus should not be promoting the very things it's supposed to prevent getting onto your computer. Very simple for most people to understand.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Asyn on August 02, 2011, 06:01:45 PM
An antivirus should not be promoting the very things it's supposed to prevent getting onto your computer. Very simple for most people to understand.

+1
More here: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=79939.0
Welcome to the forum,
asyn
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 02, 2011, 07:40:56 PM
Thanks Asyn

Yes, that previous thread you linked shows how disgusted people are with Avira. I think it could prove to be disastrous for them.

Going back to the Ask toolbar, even if you choose not to install it, you are still left with three of its files in the AntiVir program folder, ApnIC.dll, ApnToolbarInstaller and ApnStub, and the last of these 'phones home' with every reboot. I wonder how many Avira users are aware of this. Not many, I suspect. And, unless you have a firewall with good functionality such as, say, Comodo, it's not particularly easy to disable these rogues.

So, choosing not to install the Ask toolbar is anything but the benign alternative our resident Avira expert (no giggling) Omid would like people to believe.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Asyn on August 02, 2011, 07:53:28 PM
Going back to the Ask toolbar, even if you choose not to install it, you are still left with three of its files in the AntiVir program folder, ApnIC.dll, ApnToolbarInstaller and ApnStub, and the last of these 'phones home' with every reboot. I wonder how many Avira users are aware of this. Not many, I suspect.

Yep, I read about this.
Sorry, I don't feel sorry for Avira in any way, they have to bear the consequences.
But I feel sorry for their users somehow...
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: nord on August 02, 2011, 10:20:31 PM
Personally, I used to like Avira, until it missed something and I had to fdisk/format (luckily I had an almost complete backup on a USB HD. Then I started to look at anti-virus methodology and decided I liked how Avast did things better... as in more shields and less let's catch it when it trys to run on your HD.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Omid Farhang on August 02, 2011, 10:40:10 PM
@n01clueless: Well, Those detection has been removed for a long time, maybe old version of Ask Toolbar... (Anyway, I'm not affiliated with malware analyze team).

I'm with you that Ask-Toolbar integration has been a big mistake but we have to wait until their agreement reach last day of it (I think it was for 1 year), it gave Avira so much stress, lots of problem, stability of Avira Personal after first update, angry users (like you) and many more.

Wait until end of sepetember and version 12 will be released which would be all new in compare to history of Avira.  ;D
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Asyn on August 02, 2011, 10:46:10 PM
Avira has a much higher detector...

Hmmm...
Are you sure..??
http://www.av-test.org/certifications.php?lang=en
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: YoKenny on August 03, 2011, 12:54:22 AM
Wait until end of sepetember and version 12 will be released which would be all new in compare to history of Avira.  ;D
I will NEVER return to Avira! >:(

It trashed my XP Pro system and had to do a complete system rebuild!   :o

You are an Avira Troll and should be banned from the avast! forum! ::)
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Pondus on August 03, 2011, 01:09:54 AM
Quote
You are an Avira Troll and should be banned from the avast! forum!
yea, bad Omid.......then most of us in here is a Malwarebytes troll ...
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Nesivos on August 03, 2011, 01:20:00 AM
Toolbars like ASK toolbar often install as a separate program.  Skype does this with the Skype toolbar.  When Skype updates it will install the Skype toolbar on your system.  You don't have a choice not to install it.  So when I used Skype I just went in an uninstalled the Skype toolbar after each Skype update.  A real pain for sure.

Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Tgell on August 03, 2011, 02:11:42 AM
When people install the ask toolbar, they should at least see what the privacy policy is.

http://about.ask.com/en/docs/about/ask_eula.shtml

Quote
Toolbar Install. When you install the Toolbar, we assign a unique identification code to your copy of the Toolbar, and such code is written to your computer's registry.

When you access the Web Site through the Toolbar, the Web Site sets a "cookie" that collects information about your use of the Toolbar including the unique identification code of your Toolbar, the queries you submit through the Toolbar, your IP address, and whether you clicked on search results or advertising links. When you start your browser, the Toolbar also sends a configuration request which also includes your computer's IP address, browser type, and information about the specific release date and distribution source of your Toolbar. This information allows Ask.com to distinguish your Toolbar for purposes of compensating third parties who distribute its products and to analyze retention and usage on an aggregated basis. Such "cookies" and configuration settings are reset every 24 hours, but the information collected is stored in a query log for up to six months. For more information on the use of cookies and on how to block or remove them, please see the Ask Privacy Policy at

http://about.ask.com/en/docs/about/privacy.shtml.

How long we keep data about you
    * We anonymize your search queries after 18 months, unless government authorities request otherwise.
    * Cookies and configuration settings in connection with our toolbars are reset every 24 hours, but the information collected is stored in a query log for up to six months.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Lisandro on August 03, 2011, 03:16:24 AM
I've been first one who tested Avira (Beta) with Toolbar and so I've been first person who said "Don't do it!" to the management team. same goes about Uniblue, But I don't know what's the secret money or any other kind of support which they did not mind and did not get rid of Ask Toolbar
Stupidity rules... Go Avira, go for toolbars and Uniblue ;D
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Lisandro on August 03, 2011, 03:20:43 AM
You don't have a choice not to install it.
I always saw this option. Was it removed in the very last version? ???
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Omid Farhang on August 03, 2011, 08:12:50 AM
I will NEVER return to Avira! >:(
No one force you to do!

It trashed my XP Pro system and had to do a complete system rebuild!   :o
I've never seen, Avira is one of top quality security software, there should be a mistake by Yourself

You are an Avira Troll and should be banned from the avast! forum! ::)
Go on! Come on ban me! everyone who talk and share info about another security software it troll so most of users should be banned as they are troll, you are too  :D
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 03, 2011, 09:30:05 AM
Omid

As I said before, For someone who claims to be close to the Avira team and the first beta tester of the toolbar, you seem remarkably ignorant.

You stated that Avira had never detected the Ask toolbar as malware. When I demonstrated that it had, quoting Avira's COO, you then said this was probably an older version, despite previously saying that Avira had NEVER detected Ask as malware.

You also seem completely unaware that, even if you choose not to install the Ask toolbar, you still have three of its files in the Avira folder which 'phone home' on every reboot (see my post yesterday or Tgell's post above), something that Avira keep very quiet about and something that's not easy to rectify. If you don't regard this as a problem then I would suggest you are in a fairly small minority.

However, unlike some, I don't think you should be banned. In fact, I would protest if you were. So long as people are not offensive, anyone should be allowed to criticize or praise any product here, something you're not able to do on the Avira forums (mention Ask or Uniblue and see how long your thread lasts).

It is far better for you to be permitted to display your ignorance and nonsense than for you to be prevented from doing so.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Vlk on August 03, 2011, 11:56:18 AM
Guys, while I appreciate your preference to use avast over Avira, I don't think this forum is an appropriate place to bash a competing product. We may disagree with some of the decisions made by the Avira team recently but it's still a very good AV and deserves some respect.

Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 03, 2011, 08:15:47 PM
No Avira bashing from me, just legitimate and understandable concerns in my view. Whether respect is still deserved is also highly debatable.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Cassy on August 03, 2011, 11:39:23 PM
Skype does this with the Skype toolbar.  When Skype updates it will install the Skype toolbar on your system.  You don't have a choice not to install it.  So when I used Skype I just went in an uninstalled the Skype toolbar after each Skype update.  A real pain for sure.
I am not suggesting that people automatically disable automatic updates on any or all software, but I think that it is a good idea that people first think about whether they should enable automatic updates for each program for which it's available, and then decide what to do.  (In fact, I'm generally in favor of thinking, as opposed to automatically doing what everyone else does.)

For many, many reasons, I leave Skype's automatic update system turned off.  Among other reasons, I have found that Skype often add functions which I do not want or need but which keeps Skype from working properly on my sometimes ancient hardware and ancient browsers.  These new functions sometimes interfere with other software as well.  Unlike the case with some other programs, I have never heard it claimed that one should keep Skype updating enabled for security reasons.

I am on Skype 3.8, which I believe is by far the best version for me.  Skype itself is on 5.5.

But once again, I feel that the generality is more important than the specific instance.  It is often better to think before making things automatic.

Just my 2 cents.
Thanks.
C.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Cassy on August 03, 2011, 11:43:51 PM
I don't think this forum is an appropriate place to bash a competing product. We may disagree with some of the decisions made by the Avira team recently but it's still a very good AV and deserves some respect.
Vlk,

I am far from agreeing with everything you say and do, and far from agreeing with everything that Avast! says and does, but you do have class, i.e., style.

Keep up the good work!

T
C
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: MrSafe on August 04, 2011, 02:07:41 AM
I used Avira AntiVir for 7 years and thought it was the best. In fact, looking back I still think it was the best for most of that time from what I understand. It was starting to irritate me a bit with nags and a lack of options in the settings. I didn't have any of the toolbar/Uniblue issues, but when they did that it made me wonder whether I really should put my faith in them. Companies rarely worry about losing a handful of customers so we should stick together at times like that.

I tried Microsoft Security Essentials only to find that when installed it could not detect an internet connection, even with my firewall disabled! It would not run until updated and you cannot even enter the configuration until it has updated, so it did absolutely nothing!

Last year I was given a complimentary copy of Norton 360, which is still in the cellophane wrapper where it belongs!

I read poor reviews about AVG and Panda, but haven't tried them yet.

Now I am having privacy issues with Avast (I started a thread about it on this forum).

Now I don't think there is a 'best' antivirus so much as a 'least bad' one! That said, I think if you block Avast's privacy issues with a firewall and switch off certain features so that it can only do what you want it to, then it's the best.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Lisandro on August 04, 2011, 03:08:21 AM
Besides detection rates (from time to time), really, what Avira is better than avast?
Forum? Shields? Update scheme and number of available servers? Interface? Configurability?
Vlk, we all know that we don't need to bash anyone...
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Nesivos on August 04, 2011, 03:19:49 AM
You don't have a choice not to install it.
I always saw this option. Was it removed in the very last version? ???

I was of course referring to Skype when I said there is no option not to install the Skype toolbar,  I was also referring only to the Skype updates where it just re-installs the toolbar if you have previously uninstalled it without asking if you want to reinstall it.  I don't remember with respect to the initial install of Skype.  I also don't recall what version of Skype this was or is happening on.  I can tell you that my Skype application was up to date when I uninstalled the whole thing a month or two ago.

Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Nesivos on August 04, 2011, 03:37:31 AM
You guys are really a lot smarter than me and I will tell you why.

I have never been smart enough to understand all these AV Virus/Malware tests run by testing organizations.  Seriously.

So dumb ole me when it comes to software I just go by user reviews before I install a piece of software.

When I am looking for a piece of software to perform a certain task I start by finding software that claims to perform that task.  Then I read the company's webpage description of the software include FQ&A etc.

Finally I look at user's not professional, but users' reviews of the product.  If I can't find enough I don't use the product.  If I can find enough users' reviews of a product I read their comments starting with the most negative reviews.  If it passes the negative review smell test I go on to the more positive reviews. Of course I know some the so called user reviews are company plants and try and take that into account.  Finally if the overall reviews and rating of the good and the bad reviews are high enough for me then I download and install the product.

That is my simple method for determining If I install and try a product.  If after installing it I find that I don't like the way it performs I just uninstall it.  I never pay up front for any software without being able to try it or at least a more limited version of that software first.

I am not smart enough to understand all those professional tests and reviews so that is how I chose if I want to install a software application.  It has worked just fine for me for years or at least I think it has.  Maybe I am too dumb to know any better :)

Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: MrSafe on August 04, 2011, 04:09:21 AM
Nesivos:
I usually Google the type of software I want and add the words 'best' and 'free or freeware' to the search, that usually gets me off to a good start. Or just go to Gizmo's! Then I read the worst comments for anything that puts me off like you do, etc.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Omid Farhang on August 04, 2011, 10:43:09 AM
Besides detection rates (from time to time), really, what Avira is better than avast?
Forum? Shields? Update scheme and number of available servers? Interface? Configurability?
My honest and personal opinion says all of them.

1. Forum: Their forum rule is best for end user, when a newbie come ask a question another newbie cannot come confuse them and only experts (or trusted members) are allowed to reply.

2. Shields: Yes, for sure, what's wrong?

3. Update: Paid users never had any problem, Free version users usually don't have any problem and during release of major update Avira add additional servers to avoid down time.

4. Interface: Yes, a clean interface, why jump to a confusing interface?

5. Config: Totally configurable and with lots of options avast is missing...

Tech, you have been an active member of a antivirus software forum, so why you say that? When an antivirus don't tech malwares, who care about other features of that? ;)

Next time when you wants to fight Avira, rather than ignoring good features of Avira, blame stuff like showing Ads after each update, lack of SSL scan in MailGuard... ;)

Besides detection rates (from time to time), really, what Avira is better than avast?
Direct support from Company, Malware submission support, stability of program, scan speed, recently amount of FPs, configuration, Protection features (like the way it block autoruns or lock certain files of windows), avoid being bloated, better firewall, well categorized detection, better management of Logs or reports.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 04, 2011, 12:18:57 PM
One thing Avira does have is a heavily censored forum, particularly after the Ask affiliation.

Omid should consider himself fortunate this forum is not the same. Try going onto the Avira forum singing the praises of Avast and see how long your thread lasts.

But then perhaps free speech is something Omid is neither accustomed to nor wishes, beyond this forum anyway.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: ethan76 on August 04, 2011, 09:36:12 PM
What a strange topic here. I have used and am using Avira Premium in one of my old pc's and it's working great really no problems whatsoever. About the Ads or the toolbar..well, it was really not a good choice imho but it's their marketing strategy and companies do tend to do that. As to their reason I think they have an explanation at their forums. And there was a workaround I saw at Raymonds.cc/blog for it.

Now for their forum, yes, only community members are given a go-signal to reply to other posts. You can apply to be one and they will consider you. For some forum veteran or frequent poster the rules there are "different" and do really tend to be censored sometimes. But it's their rule that users should have to contend with. Some search/get answers from other forums about their product experiences.

Forum rules vary depending on the forum. Each forum has it's own culture also. Had an experience with the VirtualBox forums before (bashed, made me(newbie) felt stupid to ask basic questions to them frequenters, veterans, seeming know-it-alls...called me names..wow..I was asking a lot for I want to learn and...so I looked for guidance elsewhere). But that did not made me give up on VirtualBox and am actually using it on my system.

I believe Omid just stated some facts as he is/was a user of Avira. As with others about Avast and the AskToolbar.

What is best? It will be on the user and on his/her preference. No other review or test of some sort will tell you to use this/that. It will only guide you towards selecting/liking a particular app. In the end it will be you, the user who will say what is best for you. And of course what may be best for one might not be best for another.

I look for a best possible/tested combination of security apps that go nicely with Avast or Avira on my sytems. On the AV, I always have a top 3 not just one. But that's just me.

Personally speaking, the Avast forum was SO VERY generous enough to host this topic that I believe others will pull the plug or moderate in respect to the other one. But that's just me.

AND kudos to Vlk.

Quote
Guys, while I appreciate your preference to use avast over Avira, I don't think this forum is an appropriate place to bash a competing product. We may disagree with some of the decisions made by the Avira team recently but it's still a very good AV and deserves some respect.

This one says it all(gentleman at it's best!).

Have a nice day Avast Users! We are very fortunate here!

Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Lisandro on August 05, 2011, 02:20:11 AM
My sincere opinions.

1. Forum: Their forum rule is best for end user, when a newbie come ask a question another newbie cannot come confuse them and only experts (or trusted members) are allowed to reply.
The fact that there is this possibility in avast forum only shows our freedom and make other users participate more trying to solve. It's a very technical forum and here there are a lot of competent, helpful and friendship persons all over the day for help.

2. Shields: Yes, for sure, what's wrong?
Wrong with Avira and not with avast. They do not release all the shields in the free version. They do not protect email, for instance. Shields bring the better balance between deeper scanning and performance.

3. Update: Paid users never had any problem
Well... For some reason they pay for it...

Free version users usually don't have any problem
They reserve servers only for the pro. They do not allow the same power for free users.

4. Interface: Yes, a clean interface, why jump to a confusing interface?
Which is confusing? avast is clean. Avira is old style interface.

5. Config: Totally configurable and with lots of options avast is missing...
For instance... The non sense of choosing which virus do you want to be protected from?

Tech, you have been an active member of a antivirus software forum, so why you say that? When an antivirus don't tech malwares, who care about other features of that? ;)
Protection is a must have. avast is not bad at all. Look at the comparisons. But protection is not the only thing we look for when we choose an antivirus.

Next time when you wants to fight Avira, rather than ignoring good features of Avira, blame stuff like showing Ads after each update, lack of SSL scan in MailGuard... ;)
I don't need to post more cons. You've done it ;)

Direct support from Company
avast has the same support.

Malware submission support
avast could be better... make things faster, yes.

stability of program
And avast?

scan speed
Worse than avast is performance tests. Although the on demand speed is not that important...

recently amount of FPs
Do you mean more or less lately?

configuration
I do not envy that.

Protection features (like the way it block autoruns or lock certain files of windows)
I do not know about that. But avast will block infected items also... ::)

avoid being bloated
C'mon, with Ask Toolbar and Uniblue? Are you serious?

better firewall
Why? What do you miss?

well categorized detection
Detection is detection...

better management of Logs or reports.
Housekeeping?
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: LunarWolf on August 05, 2011, 04:57:45 AM
I have read somewhere that Avira's engine is very hard to be bypasss. That is why the underground people (aka virus writers) test their file against avira.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 05, 2011, 08:35:51 AM
I believe Omid just stated some facts as he is/was a user of Avira. As with others about Avast and the AskToolbar.

Unfortunately, the majority of his so-called 'facts' are plain wrong, as I, Tech, and others have demonstrated.

His posts are also full of contradictions. I've already mentioned some, but another relates to stability. Omid claims Avira is better than Avast in this respect, but in a previous post he seems to completely forget saying:

"....that Ask-Toolbar integration has been a big mistake....it gave Avira so much stress, lots of problem, stability of Avira Personal after first update...."

Until the recent Ask/Uniblue partnership Avira free was the best in my opinion. Not as fully featured as Avast, and the Avira interface has always been poor (one thing that always bugged me was having to go into local protection to perform a scan with your chosen settings).

But the Ask affiliation has changed everything, not just regarding the real adverse effects it has had on the program, such as the 3 rogue Ask files left on your computer even if you choose not to install the toolbar, but also the damage it has done to Avira's previously excellent reputation, in particular the loss of credibility and perception of greed of Avira, putting money before integrity.    

Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Lisandro on August 05, 2011, 02:05:30 PM
What's people saying about...

http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2011/06/avira-antivir-adds-ask-toolbar-and.html
http://www.ghacks.net/2011/06/29/beware-avira-partners-with-ask-and-uniblue/
http://www.mywot.com/en/forum/12994-avira-has-partnered-with-uniblue-and-ask-toolbar
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Omid Farhang on August 05, 2011, 05:05:12 PM
Thank you Tech, for the honest response :)

For instance... The non sense of choosing which virus do you want to be protected from?
Well, That's important, some users blame an Antivirus why it does not detect stuff like Proxy etc and if AV detect it some other users blame it because of FPs! That's when you can use Avira configuration for detect or detect a set of files, e.g. SPR (Security Privacy Risk) or Joke/Games etc

Do you mean more or less lately?
Fewer, in last year I had no FPs in my own computer and have seen very very few FPs report outside


I understand how you think of everything else than avast, you don't ignore good features of else, but you have become something like addicted to avast, the way a father love his kid, you look at all goods of avast and even don't feel problems of that, you don't want to ignore, you ignore them unwanted. same goes about me! the way I feel about Avira. You like UI of avast and I love UI of Avira, that's matter of choice, neither is bad or good. You like big and busy interface of avast and I love clean and old style interface of Avira...

I used avast for a long time, since 4.7 and then beta test of 5 and then 6, Thanks VLK I could get IS version for free and played with that, maybe it's not a bad program, just it's not what I like and what I expect from an AV, I want an antivirus to have maximum protection (that's a joke to say that's not a problem if our AV don't detect some malwares!) because its an antivirus not a toy, I want my security software have minimum impact on windows, don't bother me, give high detail on every task and being maximum customizable.

e.g. you asked what I'm missing in avast Firwall, well, Avira firwall is only Firewall, no other stuff in that and very very easy to configure, the way it ask for unknown programs and trust signed program is something unique I've not seen in any other paid firewall, even in top rated standalone firewalls, having easy to add/remove rules per network adapter, being strong enough to avoid any program or virus bypass it, it has only needed protection and no unessential protection. That's just an example and I feel same for every other Avira related stuff.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Asyn on August 05, 2011, 05:16:32 PM
1. I understand how you think of everything else than avast, you don't ignore good features of else, but you have become something like addicted to avast, the way a father love his kid, you look at all goods of avast and even don't feel problems of that, you don't want to ignore, you ignore them unwanted.

2. ...I want an antivirus to have maximum protection (that's a joke to say that's not a problem if our AV don't detect some malwares!) because its an antivirus not a toy...

1. Sorry, but Tech is always one of the first to bring up problems, related questions and suggestions to improve avast. He sure isn't a bigoted follower/fanboy at all..!!!
2. Well...
http://www.av-test.org/reports/2011q2/avtest_report_avast_112241.pdf
http://www.av-test.org/reports/2011q2/avtest_report_avira_112235.pdf
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: n01clueless on August 05, 2011, 06:12:29 PM
This is how I assess Avira free now:

PROS:
1) Still the best detection rates of any free A/V, and better than most paid ones.
2) Generally light on resources (except when updating, see below).

CONS:
1) ASK partnership. Its problems are well documented, but I'm sure most people who choose not to install the Ask toolbar are completely unaware that they are still left with three of its files on their computer reporting back to base on every reboot.
2) Poor, unintuitive and unnecessarily complex interface.
3) Annoying popups.
4) Feature light.
5) Computer freezes while updating (well mine did anyway).

Omid, you say you can give me 1001 reasons why I should return to Avira. All I'm asking for is one that trumps the Ask toolbar fiasco, because nothing you've said so far comes close to doing that.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Lisandro on August 06, 2011, 02:48:02 AM
Well, That's important, some users blame an Antivirus why it does not detect stuff like Proxy etc and if AV detect it some other users blame it because of FPs! That's when you can use Avira configuration for detect or detect a set of files, e.g. SPR (Security Privacy Risk) or Joke/Games etc
Well, thinking in this way... Maybe... Just that I'm not worried about the malware name. There isn't a convention for this. If it is spyware, joke (is the any joke on it?), etc. etc.

Fewer, in last year I had no FPs in my own computer and have seen very very few FPs report outside
Good.

I understand how you think of everything else than avast, you don't ignore good features of else, but you have become something like addicted to avast, the way a father love his kid, you look at all goods of avast and even don't feel problems of that, you don't want to ignore, you ignore them unwanted. same goes about me! the way I feel about Avira.
Yeah... I feel this way. But I still make an effort to be critic and to think about new things. I'm not convinced about WebRep yet, even less about ad popups... But I'm a lonely freeware romantic... I even do not think I have more power (I mean, the power of an opinion) than any other newbie here. But you're right... You can become addict. I do an extraordinary effort to keep my mind clear and my opinions. But it's not easy.

I want an antivirus to have maximum protection
Seems that in the last 8 years I never give up on this. I think that on the day I doubt the quality of avast, or the avast team effort...

e.g. you asked what I'm missing in avast Firwall, well, Avira firwall is only Firewall, no other stuff in that and very very easy to configure, the way it ask for unknown programs and trust signed program is something unique I've not seen in any other paid firewall
avast firewall is very very easy and user friendly.
I miss some feature... Posted a lot of time, seems that Lukas is not listening the them...
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Lisandro on August 06, 2011, 02:50:47 AM
Sorry, but Tech is always one of the first to bring up problems, related questions and suggestions to improve avast. He sure isn't a bigoted follower/fanboy at all..!!!
Thanks Asyn. I think we all need that.
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: newus on August 06, 2011, 04:13:32 AM
As an aside, how does AVG Free compare to Avast Free?
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Iangho on August 06, 2011, 04:26:59 AM
As an aside, how does AVG Free compare to Avast Free?

I'm waiting for the AVG version of Omid to appear. :)

Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: Cast on August 06, 2011, 05:25:12 AM
Im starting to think this is getting out of hand as we all have our opinions on what we like/dislike. 

Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: AdrianH on August 08, 2011, 09:38:16 AM
This will clear things up nicely  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Any other disgruntled former Avira users here?
Post by: avadas.de on August 08, 2011, 10:17:15 AM
Hi,

as we all have our opinions on what we like/dislike. 

I think that is the most important part when choosing a virus scanner. In my opinion from the detection/removal/performance (which differ basically on a mothly base) point of view there is only a slight difference between the top candidates, where avast! also belongs to. Over the last years you could watch the top products move more closer together, so that it has really become just a matter of personal taste, which solution is preferable. I can only support Vlk in his opinion that all the other top candidates deserve also respect for what they do, since they are also good products, which fulfill their tasks. If one of the competitors choose another way for a particular product, it should be left up to him. If one decides that it's not his personal taste of a good product anymore, then there are a lot of alternatives on the market.