Author Topic: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?  (Read 37214 times)

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cnon

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Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« on: December 19, 2007, 04:37:26 AM »
Dear All,

My friend has the free Avast and I have a question.

Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits like say, Kaspersky does?

Thanks,
cnon
« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 07:35:07 AM by cnon »

tsilo

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2007, 10:59:04 AM »
LOL are you joking?
Avast! even payd version is VERY BAD against rootkits! both pro and free doasn't have antirootkit tools.

cnon

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2007, 11:17:31 AM »
LOL are you joking? No, I wasn't joking  ;)

Avast! even payed version is VERY BAD against rootkits!

Both pro and free doesn't have antirootkit tools.


That's what I thought.  :'( :'(

Well, I guess it is down to scans with AVG Anti-Rootkit Free then. How often should we scan for them?

Thanks,
cnon
« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 11:25:25 AM by cnon »

Offline Lisandro

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2007, 12:27:00 PM »
How often should we scan for them?
If you do not browse dangerously, I wouldn't scan more than once a month...
Of course, if your computer starts to have any weird behavior, you can scan immediately.
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Offline Bluesman

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2007, 12:33:52 PM »
LOL are you joking?
Why should he be joking? He just ask a question!

But I agree, rootkit scanning should be added to avast. And no...I am not joking ;)
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Offline DavidR

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2007, 03:46:23 PM »
LOL are you joking?
Avast! even payd version is VERY BAD against rootkits! both pro and free doasn't have antirootkit tools.


Whilst avast! doesn't have an anti-rootkit function, it does have a number of rootkit signatures, obviously these have to be detected before the rootkit gets established.
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cnon

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2007, 03:55:02 PM »

But I agree, rootkit scanning should be added to avast. And no...I am not joking ;)
times 100

cnon
« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 03:58:59 PM by cnon »

tsilo

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2007, 04:56:44 PM »
LOL are you joking?
Avast! even payd version is VERY BAD against rootkits! both pro and free doasn't have antirootkit tools.


Whilst avast! doesn't have an anti-rootkit function, it does have a number of rootkit signatures, obviously these have to be detected before the rootkit gets established.

It doasn't mean it's unnesesary. I sad it this way because I am tired to whait when Alwil will make next version of Avast! with antirootkits and other features like Heuristic, Self deffence and so and so....  :-\

Offline DavidR

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2007, 06:15:33 PM »
I didn't say it was unnecessary or that avasts rootkit detection was good, just what the situation is.
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Spiritsongs

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"Layered" Approach to Security
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2007, 06:55:49 PM »
 :)  Hi all :

     Since most, if not all, of the "Regular" Helpers on these Support Forums
     believe in the "Layered" Approach to security, rootkit detection and
     possible removal, is BEST left to SPECIALIZED ( "Stand Alone" ) programs.
      I do NOT advocate Alwil getting very "involved" in the Rootkit "Sector"
     of computer security .

Offline MikeBCda

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #10 on: December 19, 2007, 07:46:37 PM »
Add me to one of the advocates of the layered defense.  Rootkits and trojans in particular (and to a lesser extent, adware) are best defended against by utilities specifically designed for them.  Sure, there'll be some overlap (which never hurts, of course) - any good a-v should be fairly effective in detecting trojans, for instance, but it probably won't be nearly as effective as a "dedicated" a-t.
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Offline polonus

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #11 on: December 19, 2007, 08:03:18 PM »
Hi ye all,

I have to agree with Spiritsongs every malware program according to its nature as the anti-malware Bible says: an anti-spyware against spyware, an anti-virus program against virus, an anti-intrusion against intrusions, an anti-trojan against trojans, that is the way layered protection should be. So if you start after rootkits there are specialized proggies to do this on-demand Gmer and hookexplorer for instance and several other. No overbloated do-alls that weigh too heavy on your machines and have their own "blind corners". Before you know it your firewall program comes with a spyware blocking toolbar or an anti-phishing plug-in. Do you want that? Layered protection and a cocktail of programs, not too much and also not to little, that is my opinion, and my experiece taught me, the best way to go!

polonus
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tsilo

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2007, 08:11:36 PM »
I think it's not a good position, ALL good AV softwares have spetial tools against rootkits, today it's must have tool I think. About Adwares I can say that I tried many AV's and Vista Security Center only on Avast! reports that it's not a anti-adspy application...
List of AV's who have anti-rootkits and anti-adspy: Kaspersky, Symantec-Norton, NOD32, F-Secure, Avira, Sophos, BitDefender, McAfee...  ::)

Offline Vlk

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2007, 10:15:11 PM »
I'm afraid many of this posters in this thread are actually a bit confused about the overall situation...

 :-\


Vlk
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Offline polonus

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Re: Does the Avast free version protect against rootkits?
« Reply #14 on: December 19, 2007, 10:27:39 PM »
Hi Vlk,

Can you explain your position or the position you defend a bit further. I think avast is a versatile product and that is what you are aiming at without outgrowing the original formula. Am I right there?

polonus
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