Avast Beta 17.5.2299

[Be Secure]

Not in Free?

Does Avast think that those who use the free version don't deserve ransomware protection?
Something wrong with the thought process here.

Everyone deserve ransomware protection of course.Avast dev pushed avast safezone browser to free version.It needs to be in paid section and ransomware protection in free version because Ransomware is the biggest threat nowdays.

My question is that if avast safezone browser available in both free and paid versions why not Ransomware protection is available in both versions?

[Asyn]

Guys, in all short, you can't get everything for free. That's it.

[Be Secure]

Guys, in all short, you can't get everything for free. That's it.

I know that but why they pushed safezone browser to free version then?

[Alikhan]

I don't see any problem with the ransomware protection being in Internet Security and Premier only. To be frank, Avast needs revenues and there wasn't really a component in Avast premium versions which would make you buy it in my opinion. Maybe the Firewall but most users would stay with Windows Firewall.

If the ransomware protection works, it is worth it and will make more users buy the premium edtions.

[Asyn]

I don't see any problem with the ransomware protection being in Internet Security and Premier only. To be frank, Avast needs revenues and there wasn't really a component in Avast premium versions which would make you buy it in my opinion. Maybe the Firewall but most users would stay with Windows Firewall.

If the ransomware protection works, it is worth it and will make more users buy the premium edtions.

+1

[DavidR]

There really has to be difference in the free to paid products as an incentive for free users to switch.

That's true of course, but Avast has always offered complete AV protection to free users, with non-core add-ons in the paid-for versions. As no-one would argue that ransomware protection isn't core to virus protection, this seems to be a regrettable change in approach.

I think they are running out of non-av add-ons as they are already in there in the AIS/Premier versions.

I think we are now seeing what were the differences in AVG free and AVG Paid options now Avast has AVG in its stable it looks like a change in what you get for free.  For me I would rather pay to get rid of the non-security bloat, but I can always do a custom install and get rid of it.

[cristianojgm]

I don't see any problem with the ransomware protection being in Internet Security and Premier only. To be frank, Avast needs revenues and there wasn't really a component in Avast premium versions which would make you buy it in my opinion. Maybe the Firewall but most users would stay with Windows Firewall.

If the ransomware protection works, it is worth it and will make more users buy the premium edtions.

There is already another company that uses specific protection against ransomware in the premier versions of your antivirus. In the case of avast it would not be any different.

[cristianojgm]

The free version of avast will continue to protect against ransomware as the shield behavior.

[Asyn]

The free version of avast will continue to protect against ransomware as the shield behavior.

Absolutely.

[bob3160]

IMHO, Avast built it's reputation on the protection offered in the free version.
It has grown to it's current world leading status due to the security offered in the free version.
If Avast now changes it's basic model to were you need to purchase the product in order to get meaningful detection,
I think Avast will loose out in the end.

[DavidR]

IMHO, Avast built it's reputation on the protection offered in the free version.
It has grown to it's current world leading status due to the security offered in the free version.
If Avast now changes it's basic model to were you need to purchase the product in order to get meaningful detection,
I think Avast will loose out in the end.

Well ransomware is certainly the greatest threat to your average computer user (with little experience) and lets face it avast built their protection and default settings for the average user. So they didn't have to make decisions they may have felt they weren't experienced enough to decide.

I feel your average computer user is ill-prepared to deal with ransomware, should it be included in the free version, it would be nice. But as has been said you can't get everything for free, what do you throw out to be able to include ransomware.

There are some free options that protect against ransomware, is avast driving users to these companies or to other AV companies who might offer ransomware protection for free. Once people start looking the decision might not just be ransomware but a new AV solution.

[REDACTED]

Guys, in all short, you can't get everything for free. That's it.

All the best things in life are free.
A backup e.g.

[Rednose]

Guys, just to clear things up

Ransomware Shield doesn't detect - or protect you from Ransomware.
That is what Web -, Mail -, File System - and Behaviour shields do, and is the same for Avast Free and Paid.

Ransomware Shield walls off ( protect ) selected folders from unwanted modification by Ransomware, or other apps.
You can select protected folders, block or allow apps, and change protected file types.

That is also why I think Ransomware Shield is not the right name for this feature.

Greetz, Red.

[Rednose]

To the Team :

Imo Ransomware Shield should be added to Status monitoring :

Avast - Settings - General - Status monitoring.

Greetz, Red.

[Patrick2]

While I don't agree Ransomware shield isn't in Free edition, but if it just walls off some folders to prevent modification then I guess can live with that, and be happy and feel still protected with my Avast Free edition.   Actually testing the latest beta on my Windows 10 System for first time after image backup, as well as my Little Windows 7 Atom PC


Of course my Documents, Video, Music, and Downloads aren't even in the Default location, but on other drive, so likely there I'm pretty safe from Ransomware, as I expect if I did come across ransomware it would look in the default locations, unless I'm wrong on that

Of course I backup weekly, new image every month

Been using Avast since 2006, almost got tempted to switch back to Defender recently after reading another forum around the web where someone asked Avast Free or Defender, and a lot of the comments was like Defender, and Malwarebytes 3 all you need, Avast is intrusive and bloated these days, I don't feel it's bloated or too intrusive myself, I just didn't comment in that forum as probably would've started a war lol

Keep up the good work Avast Developers