Author Topic: Avast settings  (Read 6370 times)

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Dave50

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Avast settings
« on: October 06, 2003, 09:26:16 PM »
Hi everyone!  Three quick questions regarding settings for Avast 4.1.268 .....

1.  Should sensitivity for resident scanner be kept at normal or is it better to set it to 'high' (thorough)?

2.  Is there any advantage to setting the program update to automatic (like the virus definition update) as opposed to the default setting of 'ask when available'.

3.  For P2P protection, I'm only using KazaaLite.  Should I uncheck all the other P2P programs or should I leave it alone?

Thanks for any info.  This is a great product!

Dave

Jarron

  • Guest
Re:Avast settings
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2003, 07:48:14 AM »
Hi Dave,

Until someone more knowlegeable answers I'll give it a shot.

1.  I keep mine at normal because (a) I have a relatively old and slow computer.  However I've never really tried the high setting, so I don't know if it would slow it down much or not (when I had McAfee's it did).  (b) I consider myself at fairly low risk for viruses based on how I use my computer and the fact that I've never been infected the entire time I had this computer.  However I'm sure if I get complacent and let my guard down too much I will.  From what I understand, if you're using Kazaa you're already at a higher risk (but don't take my word for it, I don't know anything about P2P).

Also I suspect the high settings would increase the chance of false positives.

You can always try the high settings and if you don't have any problems then great, if you do have problems go back to normal.

2.  I just use the default setting to ask when available because I like knowing what my computer is doing, especially if it's going to take awhile.  Also sometimes I like to wait awhile before doing program updates to look at forums like this and see what problems other people may be having with updates before jumping into it myself.  So I don't see any advantage, but it's entirely a personal choice.

Do leave the virus def updates automatic (you already know that, but I thought I'd stress it anyway).

3.  I have all the programs I'm not using unchecked.  However if you think you might ever want to use the others it might be safer to just leave them active.  I'm not sure I would remember to go back and activate them if I ever did decide to use the other programs.  

My preference is to not have things running I never use.  On the other hand I was unable to determine that having all those things running really took up much more resources.  I believe VLK has said each provider takes very little physical memory (40k?).

I guess the bottom line is that it's all up to what works best for you.  For the most part I just stick with the default settings (I trust the avast folks to make the choices for me).

I hope my less than definitive answers gives you some ideas.

Jarron

Dave50

  • Guest
Re:Avast settings
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2003, 12:02:54 PM »
Jarron -- thank you for your insight.  It makes sense.
I really like this product and I believe the default settings created by the avast team are very secure.  I usually don't do too much tweaking -- if it's not broken, don't fix it.  Thanks again,

Dave

Offline Lisandro

  • Avast team
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Re:Avast settings
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2003, 03:51:51 AM »
Until someone more knowlegeable answers I'll give it a shot.

I´ll try to add something:

1. Normal operation uses less memory than high.
2. The standard shield - if it set to high (all files, etc.) - takes a little bit more memory than if you choose the other residents and the correct settings for them.
3. Ok, high protection could bring some false positives, but avast! team could tell you that  ;) You can exclude the specific folder (or file) from scanning if you are sure it´s ok (clean).
4. For updating, I didn´t find any trouble - like some other unlucky users  :'( - so I let the avast! update itself. You can choose ask for reboot (good feature to note that avast! engine has been updated).

Jarron is more cautious...
Also sometimes I like to wait awhile before doing program updates to look at forums like this and see what problems other people may be having with updates before jumping into it myself.  So I don't see any advantage, but it's entirely a personal choice.

Thank you, both  ;)
The best things in life are free.

Dave50

  • Guest
Re:Avast settings
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2003, 04:04:24 AM »
Technical -- many thanks for your insight.  I have avast set to automatically update and did not have any problem with the new 4.1.278.  

I believe the "big-name" antivirus companies could take a lesson from the avast team and avast users.  People ask questions on this forum and get answers and problems are addressed and corrected.  

Thanks again!

Dave

Offline Lisandro

  • Avast team
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Re:Avast settings
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2003, 04:09:25 AM »
Technical -- many thanks for your insight.  I have avast set to automatically update and did not have any problem with the new 4.1.278.  

I believe the "big-name" antivirus companies could take a lesson from the avast team and avast users.  People ask questions on this forum and get answers and problems are addressed and corrected.  

Thanks again!

Dave

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