Will you keep the avast! for Linux died?

[Lisandro]

I use it in my Ubuntu installation. Believe me, much faster than any situation of Windows 7 if I'm just browsing.

1. The icon is the old "a" blue...
2. The update error was never solved with the installation process...
3. The registration continues to be manual...
4. The virus database update is not incremental...
5. The device cannot be registered at my.avast.com...
6. The interface is the old fashioned one...
7. The preferences were gone...
8. The languages aren't available anymore...

Final grade 

[MAG]

You’re right - the product does have 'forgotten' feel about it.

I gave up when I got the non compliant deb installer warning for avast on ubuntu 12.04.

[Coolmario88]

+1 avast needs to give Avast for linux a update. It seems forgotten.

[Abraxas]

As I'm running a Linux Distro I'm not expecting any Viruses, only Windows Type.

When I run Avast! for Linux, every few weeks it does the job fine. I've no complaints, I run it from the commandline, it's quick, dilligent, and works fine.
It's just an AV "Scanner" it isn't a resident, 'Bells and whistles', ferry go round. 

What does need changing ?

As I posted here:http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=105711.0

It is just as easy to use the program from the commandline.

Open a Terminal, and type: "avast --help"

AVAST

avast - command-line virus scanner

avast  [OPTIONS] areaname

DESCRIPTION
 The program provides on-demand antivirus protection by scanning files for virus infections in a given location. If no directory is specified, the current one is used. All inserted paths are scanned recursively. The scanner allows virus detection and further actions to be taken on infected files. It features archive/packed file scanning, infected file deletion or repair. Scanner output can be written to a report file. It also supports a special stdin/stdout mode which makes it work as a filter (pipe).

To call up all these commands: -h, --help
display help and exits

OPTIONS
 Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.
-_, --console
 work in stdin/stdout (filter) mode
-a, --testall
 test all files, regardless of extension or content (default)
-b, --blockdevices
 scan block devices
-c, --testfull
 scan entire files (may be slow)
-d, --directory
 scan only directory content, don't scan subdirectories
-i, --ignoretype
 ignore virus targeting
-n, --nostats
 do not report statistics in the scanner output
-p, --continue=NUMBER
 allows setting of an action to be automatically performed: delete file - 1, repair file - 3, user input - 4
-r, --report=

    FILE


 write output to a report file, '*' for OK results
-t, --archivetype[=ARCHIVE_LIST]
 scan inside archives. ARCHIVE_LIST may be `Z(zip)', `G(gzip)', `B(bzip2)`, `T(tar)', `I(mime)', `J(arj)', `R(rar)', `X(exec)', `O(zoo)', `Q(arc)', `H(lha)', `F(tnef)', `V(cpio)', `K(chm)', `P(rpm)', `Y(iso)', `D(dbx)', `6(sis)', `U(ole)', `C(cab)', `E(ace)', `1(install)', `W(winexec)', `A(all)' or `N(none)'
-v, --viruslist[=PATTERN]
 show list of virus/worm names matching PATTERN string, and quit
-h, --help
 display help and exits
--usage
 display program usage, and quit
-V, --version
 output current version information and exit

 By default, avast! scans all files matching the given mask. Also, scanning inside zip, gzip, bzip2, tar, exec and winexec archives is set by default.
EXIT CODES
 The program returns one of the following codes:
0
 normal exit, nothing was found
1
 at last one infected file was found
2
 at last one infected file was found and was repaired
3
 at last one infected file was found and cannot be repaired
4
 at last one infected file was found and was deleted
5
 at last one infected file was found and cannot be deleted
22
 can't run virus scanner, avast! engine failed
23
 at last one object wasn't scanned, an error has been detected
24
 at last one object wasn't scanned, file(s) has been encrypted
25
 stopped, scan wasn't completed
31
 syntax error in input parameters
33
 nothing to scan, input data error
41
 help output
42
 version output
43
 virus list output


BUGS
 If you find any bugs in avast!, please report them to <support@avast.com>.
AUTHOR
 ALWIL Software - http://www.avast.com/

I'm not using any Ubuntu offshoot, so things may play out differently on my System.

[Lisandro]

Any news from the crew?

[tmcclelland47]

+1 avast needs to give Avast for linux a update. It seems forgotten.

DEFINITELY!!!

[mokito]

allow me to revant the topic. installed fine first time. for some reason it add an error on finnishing the signatures update. now it keeps complainnig on a argument error and doesn't show the simple gui.. remove and reinstalled using the deb installer provided with linux mint, rebooted and still no luck...

any ideia?

[Asyn]

for some reason it add an error on finnishing the signatures update.

-> http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=57775.0

[mokito]

thanks for the reply. ill check the tip


PS; problem seems to be solved! thanks

[Asyn]

thanks for the reply. ill check the tip

PS; problem seems to be solved! thanks

You're welcome.

[kevpan815]

You’re right - the product does have 'forgotten' feel about it.

I gave up when I got the non compliant deb installer warning for avast on ubuntu 12.04.

That's because Avast for Linux is still the OLD 4.8 Version, I too usually prefer running Linux  (Ubuntu 12.10) over Windows 8, especially right now due to the fact that I am occasionally having problems with the good old Blue Screen Of Death, and other problems with 7.0.1474 with Windows 8, and am wondering (just like the rest of you guys) if Avast is going to Release a NEW Avast for Linux before the 4.8 products get Discontinued at the End of the Year.

[Abraxas]

I only use Linux, and aren't at risk of infection so a program I run rarely doesn't have the emotional dynamic you guy's are talking of.
As long as you don't Login to Linux as / (root) or use sudo, rather than 'su', you really should be safe. They are two major ways of being targeted by a Hacker when using Linux, as you are leaving all doors open.

Is Ubuntu susceptible to Viruses ? Most complaints seem to come from x'Buntu users ?

Also I note what I will call "The Dual Boot factor."
I run Windows XP SP3 very occassionally, but on it's own Computer, so I have all my Windows Anti-malware Software updated and active.

It is possible to run Linux in a program like Virtual box with Windows as your main System.
Maybe wiser than a Dual Boot setup ?

[MAG]

.....use sudo, rather than 'su', you really should be safe. They are two major ways of being targeted by a Hacker when using Linux, as you are leaving all doors open.

I know PCLOS doesn't recommend use of sudo (or even put it in the default install), but personally I think it is probably safer to have the root account password locked (the ubuntu approach) and use sudo rather than su, but with sudo timeout set to zero (ie ask for password every time).

This seems to be a source of endless debate though, so each to his own.

[FreewheelinFrank]

As long as you don't Login to Linux as / (root) or use sudo, rather than 'su', you really should be safe. They are two major ways of being targeted by a Hacker when using Linux, as you are leaving all doors open.

I know PCLOS doesn't recommend use of Sudo (or even put it in the default install), ...

It's not sudo that PCLinux doesn't like: it's the way Ubuntu uses it.

Sudo is supposed to give users a carefully selected subset of administrator permissions, but in Ubuntu it gives users the full set.

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php?topic=90479.0

PCLinux is cool with Sudo when used properly.

PCLinux is not saying that Sudo as used by Ubuntu opens a door to attack, let alone when used as intended. It simply lets normal users fcuk up their systems, including by installing malicious software if they want to. In the case of a home user, it makes no difference as they have the root password and can fcuk up their system with Sudo or Root if they choose, but it's a bad idea in other situations.

[MAG]

I'm sure that's all true.

But it still doesn't change my view that the safest set-up is probably root password locked and password prompt for every use of elevated privileges.

Seasons greetings to all linuxers and avasters!