Avast av probably again available for Iran?

[polonus]

See: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/05/210102.htm
Does this mean avast av updates are again available for Iranian users?

polonus

[George Yves]

Several times I have read this document and came to a disappointing conclusion. The U.S. government allows to deliver some software to Iran, but not for anti-virus protection and not for all the citizens of this country. The document is about providing the Iranian anti-state elements with the software for their operations in the safest of tracking by the state security of this country. In short, the U.S. government allows to supply foreign dissidents with clandestine means of communication.

[lvlEhraN]

Managers Avast! Please reply
Iran will unblock the IP address?

[bob3160]

Managers Avast! Please reply
Iran will unblock the IP address?

There is nothing that Avast can do. It needs to comply with the laws.
If the law changes then access to avas! and updates will again be available.

[Arnold72]

Iran has its own antivirus now.
Not sure how effective it is though.
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/05/03/iran-builds-anti-virus-software/

[polonus]

Here is the main page of IMEN av: http://www.imenantivirus.com/?Lang=En
This is IMEN for dos, do you remember: http://www.imenantivirus.com/product/imendos.htm
Latest version is 90 from 2-19-2013
It is necessary to mention that IMEN Virus-Finder can run in all environments without any problem.
Detected by Kaspersky's: https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/8be3080166368125f21a36bee188318cd2add1216630db70d90052d9ceb49482/analysis/1374183264/

polonus

[phyniks]

Two questions,
1-why are there lots of Europen and American vendors that are still providing services to Iranian IP s.I dont want to name them but as far as I know,these restrictions are just by Avast,AVG, Mcafee and PC tools.

2-Is there any way to give service just like Symantec.their costumer service is restricted( Iranians will receive "Embargo" warning when they try to buy or download their products),but when you download it(frome other sites) then you can get updates.
You have not banned Iranian IP thoroughly as we can still visit the Forum,maybe you can provide us the access to the update servers.

I believe that Avast Team are so generous to all people,as they ve made one of the most featured free antivirus and as they have even provided Persian language in their antivirus package,so please do what you can do to give us your nice services in some way.

thanks in advance. 

[bob3160]

It isn't up to Avast. They have laws they must follow.

[phyniks]

Is this law just for 3 to five antiviruses?
What about the others?

[CraigB]

Is this law just for 3 to five antiviruses?
What about the others?

Depends on if they are listed on the US stock exchange.

[phyniks]

So you mean only Avast,AVG,Mcafee and pctools are on the US stock exchange?!!

Avira,Eset,Kaspersky,bitdefender,Unthreat,Comodo .... these europeans are not.

What about Americans? Norton,Adaware,Webroot, and  even Microsoft Security Essentials ....

Sorry but that s weired.

And what about my second question? (Symantec way of restriction).Can Avast do the same way?

[CraigB]

Personally I don't know who is listed on the exchange as I take no notice of that stuff or how it works but I believe that was the reason given if I remember correctly and avast has to follow the laws placed on them by the US embargo to be listed on the stock exchange.

[bob3160]

Is this law just for 3 to five antiviruses?
What about the others?

Depends on if they are listed on the US stock exchange.

The facts are available here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._sanctions_against_Iran
No sense speculating or guessing or pulling at straws.

[Pondus]

NIAC Applauds Lifting of Communications Sanctions for Iranians  posted may 2013
http://www.niacouncil.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=9263

Sanctions on communications tools in Iran have been in place since before social media, text messaging, and cell phones were an everyday part of life. They have prevented companies from selling laptops, cell phones, or modems to Iran, which has fueled a major black market for these goods. They have blocked services like satellite Internet, website hosting, and VPNs for Iranians. And the sanctions even made it illegal for Iranians to download basic software and security updates, which left many vulnerable to malware and cyber intrusions by the government.

and you find more if you Google....

[phyniks]

Well,to be honest,I didnt get my answer (I knew that rules of sanctions,but my issues were not that cruel LAWs which affect just ordinary people not the government)

I cant understand why didn't these rules make other vendors ban Iranian IP.

secondly,I dont know if Avast can follow Symantec pollicy in restricting Iranians...at this point,openning the update servers would be all we need.

but,anyway....As I mentioned,there are lots of alternatives for us by now.
If Avast cannot(or maybe does not want to) give service to Iranians,we ll miss it,but thanks to other vendor's generosity, we(ordinary home users) can have the protection we need.

Thanks for your answers.
Good luck.