AIS vs. Free questions

[Snagglegrain]

I have been running avast! Free and been quite satisfied, however I have been gifted a free one year license to AIS.  I'm trying to decide if I want to install AIS, and I've visited the avast! product comparison pages in an attempt to get a good handle on the differences in features and technologies.

I love running Online Armor FW, and for the time being, I don't wish to change that, so I will be disabling the AIS firewall and just running the AV and the sandbox.

Here are some basic questions I am left with...

The comparison chart says AIS and Pro versions have "faster updates" than Free.  Do they mean more frequent, or the download speed is quicker?  Maybe priority is given to paid licensed users, and updates are pushed out sooner?

Next question is, can I turn off the antispam technology?  I use MailWasher Pro and probably wouldn't need the antispam.

Finally, can I also turn off the sandbox and only use it as needed?

By the time I get done turning all these things off, I have just about negated the value of the AIS version, but I still think I should try it to see if it is much better than the Free version.  Plus AIS has the script shield that is not present in the Free.

Any input will be appreciated, as well as any thoughts or ideas!   

[schmidthouse]

Hey snagglegrain: Interesting dilema  
I have tried AIS in the Trial version as well as Avast Pro and you are right about The Script Shield not present in the Pro Av. Faster updated?? Not sure exactly what thats about but I've never worried to much about script as I use a layered approach to Security.Now as you can see from my signature, I use OP PRO on one system and OA Premium on the other....and wouldn't trade either for AIS FW. I find them far more configurable than AIS...but thats just me
I used to use OP Free but found the PRO version far to my liking...configuration again.

The Process Virtualizatio Mode (Sandbox)is nice to have if it runs properly.(For my OS I had some issues).
The Mode only effects programs that you 'choose' to run virtualized. In other words once the mode is functional there is a choice placed in the menu context (Right Click Mouse on Program, for example IE icon) that allows you to choose to open that program virtualized (if you have not chosen in the settings to 'Always run Virtualized) in that case the menu context gives you the choice to not run that process virtualized.
Bottom line if I understand you correctly, with everything disabled in AIS...Mmmm what's the point ;)You are really only getting the Process Virtualization Function.
Just some thoughts.

[Rednose]

Hi Snagglegrain


* About the "faster updates" :

- For Avast! Free the default update frequency is 4 hours, and the minimum update frequency is 2 hours.

- For Avast! Pro and IS the default update frequency is 1 hour, and the minimum update frequency is 15 minutes.


* You don't have to install the Anti Spam, you can disable it, or uninstall it later if you wish.


* The Sandbox is not "On" by default. You choose what you want to run in the Sandbox, for example your browser, chat client, media player, pdf reader etc. etc.


Greetz, Red.

[Snagglegrain]

Hi schmidthouse...
Thanks for the detailed response.  Yes, what is the point.    My thoughts precisely.  That is what I am trying to ascertain. It's like I got this free AIS license, and it's hard to turn my back on it... except my set up is very good right now and I don't want to upset the balance and the layers.  Which leads me to my questions.  Maybe it will all jell for me at some point, and I'll know the way!  

The Sandbox is not "On" by default. You choose what you want to run in the Sandbox, for example your browser, chat client, media player, pdf reader etc.

Hi Red...
How easy is the sandbox to toggle off and on?
I'm thinking of Online Armor's Run Safer feature, that I can right-click on if desired.  I just don't know how helpful the sandbox would be to me, but I'm leaning towards trying.
Do you think AIS firewall can be compared favorably to OA or OP?  I haven't read that many glowing reviews, or reports from the trenches.  I'm not bashing it... far from it... I'm asking about it.
Thanks!

PS- Oh, and I love this part...

For Avast! Pro and IS the default update frequency is 1 hour, and the minimum update frequency is 15 minutes

Seriously, that alone could be enough to make me want to switch to the AIS license.  

 

[YoKenny]

The Script Shield not present in the Pro Av.

That's not true as the pic shows.

@ Snagglegrain

It would be good to add the RAM amount and XP Home or Pro in your signature.

As you are using Online Armor Free why not un-install it and try AIS with its firewall.

[schmidthouse]

The Script Shield not present in the Pro Av.

That's not true as the pic shows.

@ Snagglegrain

It would be good to add the RAM amount and XP Home or Pro in your signature.

As you are using Online Armor Free why not un-install it and try AIS with its firewall.

Tis true...my error.Have bin testing to much

[sded]

A picture might help explain how versatile the Avast! configuration process is.  I run AIS, but normally in Pro mode, since I am also a beta tester/moderator for OA and am comfortable with HIPS.  But not everyone is, so I regularly uninstall OA and run with AIS firewall for a while.  The silent firewall can be a major advantage to many users who do not want to deal with popups and guessing whether a process is safe or not.  I only have one W7 machine, so in a sense it is shared.  The attachment shows my current AIS configuration, running an OA beta in parallel with the current Avast! AIS Pro beta equivalent.  You can simply check or uncheck in Control Panel/Programs and Features the Avast! AIS features you want loaded at any given time.  Soon I will uninstall OA, recheck the AIS firewall, and do some Avast! beta testing in that configuration.  So far I have found that this completely mediates the potential interference problems that can occur with multiple firewalls.  The Avast! AV features and OA++ AV features are different enough that they don't interfere, but the same technique could be used if they did.  OA actually needs to be uninstalled for AIS testing, but this is again pretty simple with save/restore configuration capabilities-something I wish Avast! had.  Which firewall is better?-depends on your comfort level with HIPS and the progress of things like Behavior Shield.  Both are excellent examples in their category.

[Snagglegrain]

Hi sded ...
Thanks for the detailed input, and the config image.
I too am quite comfortable with HIPS
and I really, really like the Run Safer feature of OA.
I view losing those two as the trade-off if I were to uninstall OA and go with AIS firewall.
It's a trade-off I am reluctant to make right now, except for the avast sandbox, which balances out some of the trade-off, if you know what I mean.

[Vladimyr]

Hi Snagglegrain
I have  one Vista32 and a number of XP SP3 machines with AIS in varying component configurations. If I were in your shoes I would go for it! (Easy for me to say I know )
One thing to note if you do. Inserting an AIS or Pro license file into avast! 5 Free will automatically download, install and activate the extra components. It should be no problem to go into "Programs" and change the configuration to whatever suits you but I would prefer a prompt to be given the option of not installing the stuff in the first place. (Hopefully something like that will be implemented in future versions.)

[Snagglegrain]

One thing to note if you do. Inserting an AIS or Pro license file into avast! 5 Free will automatically download, install and activate the extra components. It should be no problem to go into "Programs" and change the configuration to whatever suits you but I would prefer a prompt to be given the option of not installing the stuff in the first place. (Hopefully something like that will be implemented in future versions.)

Hi Vlad ...
Thanks for the valuable input.  I had no idea that I could simply insert the .avastlic file into my Free version and that would trigger a download & install of everything else.  What I did envision doing was uninstalling my current free version, then downloading and installing a trial AIS, which I would then insert the license into.  I was assuming (hoping?) that the installer would give me the component options, which I could mix and match to my taste.  Not possible that way, huh?

I sure do enjoy reading these replies, as they are helping me formulate a plan.
Lots and lots of guys are comfortable AND adept at jumping in, but I tend to spend more than a little time thinking it all through... especially when everything is running so sweet on my computers just the way they are.

I do like your advice ("If I were in your shoes I would go for it!").   

[Vladimyr]

Hi Vlad ...
Thanks for the valuable input.  I had no idea that I could simply insert the .avastlic file into my Free version and that would trigger a download & install of everything else.  What I did envision doing was uninstalling my current free version, then downloading and installing a trial AIS, which I would then insert the license into.  I was assuming (hoping?) that the installer would give me the component options, which I could mix and match to my taste.  Not possible that way, huh?

Your way should also work perfectly. The installer does give you all the options.

cheers

[SafeSurf]

I was assuming (hoping?) that the installer would give me the component options, which I could mix and match to my taste.

You would need to do it this way...like a Custom install for the components you want.

Make sure you do a System Restore prior to changing your system, and reboot in between uninstall and installs.  Let us know how things go.

[Snagglegrain]

Hi SafeSurf ...

Good advice.  I actually prepare a full system image with Acronis prior to most every major program change (and MS High Priority updates too).  It's just good practice, and has saved me a time or two by allowing me to quickly revert to a previous good condition.

And I will for certain report back.   

[SafeSurf]

You are doing good work on your safe practices!    I wish more people did the same.  Thank you for the update.

[brhokla]

Yes, you might take advantage of the 2 month free trial period of AIS before using your license number.  Then your 12 months turns to 14!  Just a thought....