V2016 Beta 3 (2016.11.1.2236)

[MartinZ]

Hi all,

I am glad to announce the release of new beta V2016: AVAST 2016 B3 (build number 2016.11.1.2236).

How to install:

1. If you have installed some beta version before you can update it to this latest version via Settings->Update->Program.

2. Or you can download and install from here:

http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_online.exe

http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup_online.exe

http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_internet_security_setup_online.exe

http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_online.exe

Avast Passwords apps for mobile phones:
1.  iOS: http://goo.gl/forms/4RVD4RAE5L
2.  Android: coming soon....

How to provide feedback
Please for specific issues set a new topic in the Beta section (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=15.0). For general open discussion feel free to use this thread.

Or use the feedback form in the AV program or in the SafeZone browser.

Changes from V2016 Beta 2:
- Possibility to log in more Avast accounts
- Online security plugin for Firefox is now signed and works in Firefox 42
- Online setup - better recovery if reboot appears during installation
- Passwords extension now works in SafeZone browser
- WebShield HTTPS Scanning: We introduced a new method of HTTPs scanning. It is used in Firefox, Chrome and Opera. It works without changing the certificates with the help of kernel mode hooking. The security parameters and certificates are verified by the browser itself, including checks for untrusted or revoked certificates. Traditional MITM approach is still used for IE and Edge, and is also reactivated when required for particular browser.
You can check the functionality of HTTPS scanning by checking Statistics window in Avast UI or by visiting http://www.eicar.org/85-0-Download.html.

Known issues:
- Passwords extension in IE doesn't work correctly
- Loosing the first device that starts using Passwords might cause blocking of Avast Account (only if synchronization is enabled, by default turned off)
- Web Reputation, Safe Price features are not functional in SafeZone browser
- Ad blocker sometimes needs restart of the SafeZone browser to start working (occurs only once)
- It is impossible to deactivate the Pay Mode for sites which are automatically switched in to this mode
- Home network security scan doesn't work in Smart scan

Changes from V2015:

NEW: Passwords - Avast can now manage your passwords and generate strong passwords for you. Just one password to remember.
 - checks your passwords security
 - stores your passwords securely
 - includes browser extensions for easier logging in and form filling
 - generates strong passwords

NEW: SafeZone browser - Replaced the SafeZone for safer shopping and banking

   - Pay Mode: runs automatically on banking sites (This isolates the session and protects it from possible keyloggers or other malicious software secretly lurking on your computer. With Pay Mode you can perform all your financial transactions in peace, without fear of your password or other personal details being stolen. Pay Mode can be also turned on manually directly via browser UI.)

   - Optionally, some extensions such as Ad Blocker and Video Downloader (potentially useful as SafeZone doesn't support add-ons for security reasons).

NEW: User interface - More space for content, easy control

NEW: Feedback possible directly from program - report bugs, feature requests and other suggestions easier

IMPROVED: Home network security now detects more router vulnerabilites and shows more details
IMPROVED: Installation - it should be now faster and less obtrusive.
+ Many other minor tweaks and fixed

Avast cleaner:
http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avastclear.exe

It should be possible to install this version on top of your existing avast! installation (all settings should be preserved).

To report BSODs, crashes or any other none trivial problems please use new SupportPackage generating tool.
- http://utils.support.tools.avast.com/tools/support/utils/avastsupport.exe

Instructions how to use it can be easily found:
- https://www.avast.com/en-us/faq.php?article=AVKB33#artTitle


We are looking forward for your feedback!

Thank you
Avast team

[essexboy]

Do not appear to have NG in windows 10 build 10565

Installed via GUI no apparent problems ...

[Para-Noid]

Where are the links to the offline installer? 
I prefer the full installer. No full installer, no download. 

[essexboy]

Use the previous beta links

[Secondmineboy]

Whats this new AvastNM.exe Process for?

[Secondmineboy]

offline installers


http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe

http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe

http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe

http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup.exe

[Para-Noid]

Thanks! Don't know why they were not included in the first post? 

[Lisandro]

Trying to install for the first time... Hope it does not crash as beta1 and beta2.

1. Am I bling or the ability to install in non default folders was removed?
2. And what about the warning about data collection?
3. The ability to choose languages has also been removed
4. Hope nothing is being installed without my knowledge (3rd party tools).

Hmmm... setup window just disappear...
Can't generate the support package...
Things are coming from bad to worse...

v2016 Beta3 installation over v2015 (also beta). Setup started and, after some minutes, disappear...

[Secondmineboy]

@Lisandro: No issues for me upgrading over Beta 2

You can choose custom folders in the custom installation.
Languages can be installed via settings later.
The data collection warning should get back for sure.
I got no 3rd party tools at all installed.

Theres another interesting feature i just found:

[REDACTED]

When it scans your PC for performance issues it does not let you see what they are. There is no way I will proceed without knowing what Avast is going to fix..

[Patrick2]

Laptop tried to update from 2016 beta 2 via gui, total freeze up in Regular mode, safe mode won't uninstall, crashes when try to remove, gonna try with removal tool shortly

[RejZoR]

Browser add-on is still not working even in BETA3...

[REDACTED]

I like the 2016 beta a lot.  However I have one big issue with it, and that is lack of an ignore option when threats are detected.  That would be an option to ignore a file and exclude it from future detection.  This can be done now by quarantining and file, and then restoring it by selecting the "add to exclusions option."  But, this is a hassle.  It would make much more sense to be able to ignore a file as soon as it is detected.

I had not used Avast for a number of years until using the beta, due not linking the new UI introduced in v5.  I actually liked the old v4 interface a lot, and did not like the change.  However, I really like the new UI in the beta version.  Also, it has been exceptionally light.  When I'm not running a scan, on my Windows 10 laptop, it never causes any noticeable impact on performance.  This is very impressive, as I find just about every antivirus to cause noticeable slowdowns (and I have tried many different antiviruses), with Windows Defender being one of the worst.  I've been running the beta for nearly two weeks now, and only once in that time, has Avast caused a noticeable slowdown.  At times, I forget I even have an antivirus installed, because of how well it runs.

As much as I love this new beta, I will quite probably will ditch Avast if an ignore option is not added.  So, it would be really nice if such an option could be added.

[bob3160]

Until you submit the file to Avast and they verify that it indeed a false positive,
you can't override a detected infected file. (Better safe than sorry)

[DavidR]

<snip>

As much as I love this new beta, I will quite probably will ditch Avast if an ignore option is not added.  So, it would be really nice if such an option could be added.

Avast has never had an Ignore option, even in your beloved avast 4.x.

It may have had a Do Nothing/No Action option, but neither of those allowed you to make a single click and Run what was considered infected/malicious.

For some considerable time they have been of if you want to Run it to avoid accidental exposure, then you have to take the deliberate action to exclude the file from scans.