Author Topic: Firefox extention-Avast Online Security vs Web Shield  (Read 3265 times)

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Offline greyowl

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Firefox extention-Avast Online Security vs Web Shield
« on: May 01, 2015, 06:32:27 PM »
I tried out Avast Online Security extension on some malicious test sites.  In each case, the avast web shield responded, but the extension did not respond.   This raises some questions for me:

Could someone explain the difference between the extension and web shield?
What value does the extension provide over the web shield?
Does the extension slow the opening of web pages?

Thanks for the help.
Dell Laptop, 1.6Ghz, 1.5GB RAM, XPsp3, Avast Free, Windows Firewall

Offline Para-Noid

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Re: Firefox extention-Avast Online Security vs Web Shield
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2015, 06:54:58 PM »
Web shield is the major shield while online. It blocks viruses and other malware.
The AOS is along the same lines as WOT and is based on user input.
No, the AOS does not slowdown surfing.
Dell Inspiron, Win10x64--HP Envy Win10x64--Both systems Avast Free v17.9.2322, Comodo Firewall v8.2 w/D+, MalwareBytes v3.0, OpenDNS, Super Anti-Spyware, Spyware Blaster, MCShield, Unchecky, Vivaldi Browser and, various browser security tools.

"Look before you leap!" Use online scanners before you click on any link.

Offline greyowl

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Re: Firefox extention-Avast Online Security vs Web Shield
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2015, 08:21:41 PM »
Thanks for the help
Dell Laptop, 1.6Ghz, 1.5GB RAM, XPsp3, Avast Free, Windows Firewall

Offline igor

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Re: Firefox extention-Avast Online Security vs Web Shield
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2015, 09:42:07 PM »
AOS is more than just user reputation - it also checks for phishing pages, corrects some mistyped addresses etc. So it does other (also security-related) stuff that Web Shield doesn't do; on the other hand, it doesn't scan the page content for malicious code, that is up to Web Shield.
I suggest to check the settings of the extension, you'll see the features.

Offline greyowl

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Re: Firefox extention-Avast Online Security vs Web Shield
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2015, 10:08:13 PM »
I found the settings which I hadn't discovered before.  Looks like some good things.  If it doesn't slow down web pages, then it is probably useful.  I have an old computer so I don't like to put it under undo strain.

Thanks for the help again.
« Last Edit: May 01, 2015, 10:13:27 PM by greyowl »
Dell Laptop, 1.6Ghz, 1.5GB RAM, XPsp3, Avast Free, Windows Firewall