Why VRDB??

[mikel108]

I was wondering why Avast uses the VRDB. I read the little note in the program, about why it is there. However, I am curious as to why I have not seen this kind of option in other AV's. I would like to think that it is Avast trying to have a program that is ahead of everyone else's,....or is it because Avast is having a really hard time repairing viruses? Thanks

[Staind]

Hm, no - Avast! has no problem "repairing viruses".  If you get a virus and it damages files to the extent that they cannot be repaired, with other AV programs this would require you to format and reinstall Windows (if it was a system file that got damaged).  Avast! allows you to use a previously stored file in the VRDB, saving you the format.

[mikel108]

Good explanation.

I actually switched to Avast from a paid AV that I was not doing a good enough job for me. I have been using it for about 3 weeks and really like it. It has caught several viruses, and online scans from Trend and Bit Defender are coming back clean (something my previous AV was not doing lately). I switched to Avast because of the high praise the people at Wilders Security gave it.

[Eddy]

A virus attaches itself to a excisting file. That is one of the reasons a virus can be removed. the infected file can be repaired. People often say something like "how can a repair a virus?", which isn't actually not making any sense at all.

Also people call things a virus, while it isn't. A virus is just one of the many variants of malware that is out there in the big world.

I think you will find the definations on my webboard interesting. Have a look at them if you wish. I think they will make a lot of things clear.
http://212.204.166.18/smf/index.php?topic=2.0

[mikel108]

WOW!

Quite an undertaking you have there Eddy.

I have bookmarked it and will educate myself soon.

[RejZoR]

Well other antiviruses are using "generic" repairing methods. Such method requres that developers of such antivirus define which part of the code is infected and which is not,so antivirus can clean infected code from executable files.
If thee isn't any,the file cannot be repaired or will most probably be corrupted if you attempt to repair it.

avast! VRDB is actually ahead of everyone else repair function.
VRDB checks files integrity and stores it database. When file gets infected avast! checks if the file is present in VRDB. If it is,it will repair almost without any problems.

avast! isn't limited only to VRDB,but t can fix files without it.
This applies to certain file infectors that can be repaird this way and macro files in DOC and XLS files (Word and Excel).

PS: Enhanced VRDB 2.0 is still under developement and will be released soon so stay tuned

[Lisandro]

I switched to Avast because of the high praise the people at Wilders Security gave it.

Very glad to know that now we have 'good press' there 

[MikeBCda]

I'm fairly active at Wilders myself (hardly an expert or specialist, though), and put in my own bit of recommending avast whenever I can.  I imagine there's others of us who are active both places and do the same.

One thing about a-v at Wilders that surprised me, you very rarely hear anything negative about NAV there.  Wonder if anyone there ever tried uninstalling that to switch to a different a-v??

[mikel108]

I find that there are many here in North America that have only heard about NAV and McAfee. I think it is because it either comes on their machines, and or, it is almost all you can find on the shelves here.

The rest of us tend to try everything under the sun, looking for better interfaces, detection rates or just something different.

Could just be me, but McAfee quit updating, and they have the horrible advertising Security Center, as well as a poor renewal practice of automatically charging your credit card when it is renewal time. The only way to stop the renewal is to track them down and order them not to do so.

NAV was just a constant headache when I tried it. 2004 was slow, and 2005 was just a pig on resources. I had to reformat to get rid of it.

Back to Avast.......At first I found it strange to run from right clicking the icon(On Demand scan). I really like that it talks to you when updating. I not sure about detection yet, but it has not failed yet, and I went to some nasty sites to prove it would. I honestly only downloaded it because it was free, and I told the Wilders people that I would be getting rid of it when I found a suitable replacement, now I am not so sure. I actually had AVG Pro 7(paid) before this.  The one thing I would like to point out about Avast is that AVG was about $22/yr, where if I want to buy Avast it will be about $55/yr for me. Thats a big price when you figure I get almost everthing free. Don't worry though..if it works for me for a month I will pay, as I support those that not only support me, but those that can truly not afford an AV. It cost enough for some cash strapped families to get online to help educate their children, and it is almost imperative if you need to find employment(to get online). I really think it is great that Avast has a mission statement that they give it away free to families that cannot afford it.

In closing I would like to ask.......in other parts of the world, are there other AV products that are sold on the shelves of stores??

Anyways enough rambling!

Take Care

[techie101]

Mike,

Well, this is a bit off the topic, but I will try to elaborate somewhat on Avast.  Avast is purely a success story from a small company who takes pride in their work.  Yes, they also have a paid version, but Alwil Software feels that offering a Home version free is essential in developing its' reputation in the industry.  It also serves as one big giant "testing" bed.  Problems are quickly discovered and fixed either directly by the Avast Team, or by us here on the forum.  It is a win, win situation!

Avast Pro (payware) is really for the more advanced user or commercial business.  For the average home user, Avast Home is one of the best! ( I really can't think of another.  )

Avast Home, with its' easy to use interface, changeable skins, auto update of program and database, free regular updates, superior support forum (Ok, I had to give us here a pat on the back.), and a great development team.....How can you beat that even in payware!

Avast in my opinion is still in its' infancy.  It is ever evolving, growing better and better with each day.

Stay with us!  You won't be disappointed.

.........and I want to thank you for becoming an Avast User.

Best Wishes
Techie

PS:  Before I get yelled at by one of the members ( , any further non-technical issues should be posted in General or Off Topic.  Forum rules.