Version: 20.2 (March 2020)

[PonoGuy]

With Avast Premium Security, do I still need a separate product (PCSafe Adware Filter) to protect against spyware?

[dhsilver20022]

So LudekS wasn't entirely faithful to the announcement of the "official program notes" of this new release.
To wit, he(?) indicates that the title of the official program notes is "new Avast version 20.2"; when in fact it reads: "Here's what's new for Avast Free Antivirus (v. 20.2)." So note well the emphasis on the Free version.
That difference is key to two crucial misleading & confusing elements in these official program notes (remember, we're supposed to be reading about "what's new for Avast Free Antivirus (v. 20.2))":

1) "✓  Password Protection - This new feature automagically secures passwords saved in your browsers. Find it in your Privacy menu (Premium Security only)."
So does that mean that the entire "Privacy Protection" feature is available in the "Premium Security" only? or that only in the "Premium Security" can we find it in the "Privacy menu"? After all, we're supposedly reading about the new features in the Free version, not the Premium version, right? So the inclusion of this feature in these official program notes should lead a reader to believe that Password Protection is newly included in the Free Version.
Or is there some other, more manipulative reason that Avast marketers & copywriters include it here?

2) "✓  Improved Firewall - We’ve added more fire to the wall for better stability (Premium Security only)."
A bit less confusing, this one, because the description of this feature is limited to one element (not also where to "find it"). But if the syntax is less confusing, the context remains misleading--& manipulative.
Again, the statement of this new feature is followed by a notice that it is available only in the "Premium Security". If so, why include it in the "official program notes of the Free Version 20.2?
Obviously, the marketers wish to miss no opportunity to advertise their Premium Security version.

Okay, I can understand that. But why leave readers feeling manipulated by placing this advertisement squarely in the context of the upgraded Free Version? It would leave a much sweeter taste--and be more clearly understandable--had they placed the descriptions of these two Premium features
1) underneath the Free version's actual upgraded features; and
2) set clearly apart from the Free Version’s upgrades by
   a) spacing; and
   b) titling as to what they really are.

But that layout and format would entail the kind of respect for their users that would require a true dedication to truth in advertising, which, based on these “official program notes”,
Avast distinctly lacks.

[Asyn]

With Avast Premium Security, do I still need a separate product (PCSafe Adware Filter) to protect against spyware?

-> https://www.avast.com/c-spyware-removal-tool
-> https://www.avast.com/c-spyware

[chris..]

1) "✓  Password Protection - This new feature automagically secures passwords saved in your browsers. Find it in your Privacy menu (Premium Security only)."
So does that mean that the entire "Privacy Protection" feature is available in the "Premium Security" only? or that only in the "Premium Security" can we find it in the "Privacy menu"? After all, we're supposedly reading about the new features in the Free version, not the Premium version, right? So the inclusion of this feature in these official program notes should lead a reader to believe that Password Protection is newly included in the Free Version.
Or is there some other, more manipulative reason that Avast marketers & copywriters include it here?

I wonder how you can understand that the entire "Privacy Protection" feature is available in the "Premium Security" only, it's clear enough that it only concerns the new password protection.
On the other hand, give us a link to release notes of other free products that can be upgraded to a paid product that differentiate the notes according to the product.
I would even go so far as to say that some products don't even add "paying product only" , for some, it is even difficult to have access to these notes. 
The engine of avast antivirus products are the same (exactly the same build version number).
I don't see how that's embarrassing and even if it looks like marketing, it's perfectly normal, just like avast's policy to offer their paid products with popups on the free version as it has always been the case.

[bob3160]

With Avast Premium Security, do I still need a separate product (PCSafe Adware Filter) to protect against spyware?

The simple answer is NO.

[g.perry985]

Since this update, when I log on to my computer, I am told that I am unprotected. When I click on the Avast icon, I get two notifications "firewall turned off" and "date incorrect".  I press "turn on" and "update date" and it doesn't turn on the firewall, and the date and time were already correct.  After several more presses of the "turn on" button, and about 25 minutes of inactivity, the status changes to "protected.

I attempted to repair Avast, via Control Panel and Avast Wizard, and it appeared to work, with a "protected" status when the PC was restarted at the end of the process. However, when I turned it on next day, the "unprotected" status returned.
 
I am a 76 year old, with limited computer literacy (email, banking, excel, word), still running on Microsoft 7 Professional, and although I have pulled off several articles from "Help" (Troubleshooting / Uninstall / Installing / Activating Avast Premium Security), but find them difficult to understand, and frankly I don't have the confidence to try them. I need either someone to talk me through it, or some clear instructions in plain english

[bob3160]

Since this update, when I log on to my computer, I am told that I am unprotected. When I click on the Avast icon, I get two notifications "firewall turned off" and "date incorrect".  I press "turn on" and "update date" and it doesn't turn on the firewall, and the date and time were already correct.  After several more presses of the "turn on" button, and about 25 minutes of inactivity, the status changes to "protected.

I attempted to repair Avast, via Control Panel and Avast Wizard, and it appeared to work, with a "protected" status when the PC was restarted at the end of the process. However, when I turned it on next day, the "unprotected" status returned.
 
I am a 76 year old, with limited computer literacy (email, banking, excel, word), still running on Microsoft 7 Professional, and although I have pulled off several articles from "Help" (Troubleshooting / Uninstall / Installing / Activating Avast Premium Security), but find them difficult to understand, and frankly I don't have the confidence to try them. I need either someone to talk me through it, or some clear instructions in plain english

See if this helps.

Repair & Clean Install of Avast -> https://goo.gl/t7aJGq
Repair Avast:
Open the Avast User Interface > Menu > Settings > Troubleshooting > Repair App. > Restart the Computer or,
Control Panel> Program and Features (Add/remove program)>Select Avast> Select Repair. Reboot when completed
https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB204

If Repair doesn't fix the problem, try the following:
If your Avast settings are not the default settings and you want them restored after the Clean Install, follow this before removing Avast.
https://goo.gl/TXjM7h
Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
If you need additional help with the Clean Install, watch this:
https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A

[Tag5]

Hello, I have a problem with this version.
The new "Browser Password Protection" feature looks disabled on the settings UI and I can't even enable it.
But somehow the feature is turned on in the background and now my backup software can't backup my password files (logins.json) while avast shields are enabled.
I would try turning it on and off to fix that but I can't even turn it on as the button doesn't do anything.

Please fix it with an update.

[NON]

Hello, I have a problem with this version.
The new "Browser Password Protection" feature looks disabled on the settings UI and I can't even enable it.
But somehow the feature is turned on in the background and now my backup software can't backup my password files (logins.json) while avast shields are enabled.
I would try turning it on and off to fix that but I can't even turn it on as the button doesn't do anything.

Please fix it with an update.

Hi Tag5, I'd suggest to start a new topic.
At that time tell us what Avast edition you are using (Avast Premium or Avast Free) and your Windows version.

[Rundvleeskroket]

Quick question:

The option to configure Smart Scan seems to be gone. Where do I now configure Smart Scan?

[Asyn]

Quick question: The option to configure Smart Scan seems to be gone. Where do I now configure Smart Scan?

That option is long gone, you can only schedule it.

[Rundvleeskroket]

Back when I still could configure Smart Scan, I retooled it to be more of a full disk scan. Because I couldn't put a full scan front and center on the main window. Smart Scan lives there now.

Well, I get the feeling Smart Scan still does a full scan these days. Or can a dev tell me with certainty it is a fixed preset of settings that overrides whatever I once configured?

[DFC]

With the update I lost "network connection" of the current network in the firewall.
I only have "firewall logs", "settings" and "application settings".
Is this normal?

Hi Chris and Asyn,
In the last Avast version, we have completely changed the architecture of the firewall engine to be faster and more stable. Unfortunately, the side effect of this change is that we do not have all the information needed to show the Connection view. However, we still plan to restore this view in the near future.

OK, very sad about that...
THAT is the ONLY thing that makes me paying for AVAST... HOW can I roll back to a version with Network Connections enabled?

[DFC]

How do I rollback this version???

No Network Connections.... pfff

[David_27]

And no aggressive hardened mode...