Author Topic: Avast Free: Barrier Mode - activate it or not?  (Read 1308 times)

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Offline Nunzio77

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Avast Free: Barrier Mode - activate it or not?
« on: December 05, 2020, 10:23:51 AM »
Hi,
a doubt, the default barrier mode is not active but do you recommend activating it?
Is there a risk that it will also block some trusted files?
Are you still safe without barrier mode active and ransoware protection active? Will the analysis in the virtual sandbox still be reliable and effective?

Thanks.  ;)
Thank you and good day!
Nunzio
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Avast Free - Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, Intel Core2 Duo CPU T7500, RAM 4 Gb, SDD 512 Gb, ATI Mobile Radeon HD 2400 - Avast Mobile Security Free - Smartphone Android

Offline Asyn

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Re: Avast Free: Barrier Mode - activate it or not?
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2020, 11:16:11 AM »
Please elaborate or post a screenshot, I'm not aware of anything called "barrier mode" in Avast.
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

Offline McMcBrad

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Re: Avast Free: Barrier Mode - activate it or not?
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2020, 01:16:37 PM »
I believe "barrier" mode is "hardened mode".

If that's so, aggressive detection methods always carry a risk of trusted files being blocked, specially if they are new and/or don't have a Class 3 signature.
This is usually the case with less known programs from small developing groups.

Hardened mode affects CyberCapture analysis, as untrusted code is not executed at all and doesn't reach this layer.

Without this mode active, you are still protected by IDP (behavioural blocker) and CyberCapture. Web Shield prevents downloading secondary payload.

Hardened mode is recommended for users that are involved in risky behaviour e.g. frequently downloading apps from untrusted sources, such as torrents.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2020, 01:20:35 PM by McMcBrad »

Offline Nunzio77

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Re: Avast Free: Barrier Mode - activate it or not?
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2020, 01:24:49 PM »
I believe "barrier" mode is "hardened mode".

If that's so, aggressive detection methods always carry a risk of trusted files being blocked, specially if they are new and/or don't have a Class 3 signature.
This is usually the case with less known programs from small developing groups.

Hardened mode affects CyberCapture analysis, as untrusted code is not executed at all and doesn't reach this layer.

Without this mode active, you are still protected by IDP (behavioural blocker) and CyberCapture. Web Shield prevents downloading secondary payload.

Hardened mode is recommended for users that are involved in risky behaviour e.g. frequently downloading apps from untrusted sources, such as torrents.

Sorry I meant the "hardened" mode, in Italian the program also translates it as "barrier" mode.

Thanks were the info I was looking for, you were very thorough with the explanation.  :)
Thank you and good day!
Nunzio
----------------------------
Avast Free - Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, Intel Core2 Duo CPU T7500, RAM 4 Gb, SDD 512 Gb, ATI Mobile Radeon HD 2400 - Avast Mobile Security Free - Smartphone Android

Offline Asyn

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Re: Avast Free: Barrier Mode - activate it or not?
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2020, 01:35:31 PM »
Excerpt from the FAQ: Enable Hardened Mode: Recommended for inexperienced computer users who want to really secure their PC. Hardened Mode uses information based on reputation services to determine which executable files are safe to open.
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0