Malware

[justinlee]

I started using the free version of Avast a few years ago and have always been impressed and able to surf worry free. I was so impressed with the product that i upgraded and paid for Avast Internet Security and again have always been happy... Until recently!

Recently I have caught a Malware infection a total of 3 times, which has switch Avast off exposing my system to it's threat. What then happens is either..

1. Your system will start up but when it comes to your desktop everything just freezes.

2. Your system will start up then after password will not display desktop but instead just a black screen. I think the Malware messing with the registry keys disabling Windows from starting.

Luckily, with my knowledge i have been able to fix this problem each and every time and no longer visit the suspected website(s) but this has now raised some concerns with me over Avast in the sense i do not think Avast is as good as it used to be or cannot keep up with the current threat of Malware out there. Avast seems great with everything else like viruses, firewall etc just not Malware!

Now, I would love someone out there to reply to this and prove me wrong because i actually want to stick with Avast as i have never had problems with it and the support is excellent.

My Avast is due to expire in approx' 10 days and i would really like to renew but if Malware attacks are going to be a problem with Avast then i may just have to look elsewhere, which i do not want to do.

[YoKenny]

Do you run MBAM free or paid
Do you run SuperAntispyware free or paid
Do you have a protective HOSTS file that prevents malicious sites

[dagrev]

Nothing is 100% and this proves the approach of have multiple layers of safety (not multiple AVs running).  Possibly you were one of the first to visit and get had.  After all, a bunch of people have to be first.  Of course this doesn't make you feel any better and it wouldn't me.  I likely would have posted the same thing you did!

I think avast! is very good, but not perfect.  How long it takes them to know a bad site I just don't know, but there are many to keep up with.  I hope you give it another try.  Version 6 sounds promising.

[schmidthouse]

Do you run MBAM free or paid
Do you run SuperAntispyware free or paid
Do you have a protective HOSTS file that prevents malicious sites

Yes, good questions. I don't see the OP mention running scan with MBam at all.
I mean MBam is specifically designed to deal with Malware as its specialty!!. Not to mention Avast does not specialize in the detection and removal of malware; while it does and can detect malware it's not designed to specialize in malware. So?

[justinlee]

Do you run MBAM free or paid
Do you run SuperAntispyware free or paid
Do you have a protective HOSTS file that prevents malicious sites

Yes, good questions. I don't see the OP mention running scan with MBam at all.
I mean MBam is specifically designed to deal with Malware as its specialty!!. Not to mention Avast does not specialize in the detection and removal of malware; while it does and can detect malware it's not designed to specialize in malware. So?

MBAM and SuperAniSpyware are both the free versions and yes i do run scans with them both. I understand Avast is not specifically designed to deal with Malware but the fact that Malware was able to disable Avast on numerous occasions and i am not the only person who has had this problem (search google) is quite worrying would you not say?

[Chuck58]

As was said, nothing is 100%. I've run AVAST off and on for years. Only once has anything gotten onto my computer. Then, sandboxing, MBAM, Hitman Pro etc didn't exist. I managed to do a couple of online scans, and one of them caught it.

Now, I have AVAST IS, thanks to winning one of their Christmas giveaways. If I'm going to sites I'm not familiar with, I use free Wondershare Time Freeze as an extra layer of protection. I've also got MBAM and Hitman Pro (both on demand) just in case. These days, even safe sites aren't always safe any more. It just pays to have something else available.

[schmidthouse]

As was said, nothing is 100%. I've run AVAST off and on for years. Only once has anything gotten onto my computer. Then, sandboxing, MBAM, Hitman Pro etc didn't exist. I managed to do a couple of online scans, and one of them caught it.

Now, I have AVAST IS, thanks to winning one of their Christmas giveaways. If I'm going to sites I'm not familiar with, I use free Wondershare Time Freeze as an extra layer of protection. I've also got MBAM and Hitman Pro (both on demand) just in case. These days, even safe sites aren't always safe any more. It just pays to have something else available.

Absolutely...+10
Layered protection has always been the way of intelligent PC protection. Condoned and preferred by computer security specialists for the very reason; No Security Software can keep up alone and be 100% effective at any time.

[YoKenny]

I've also got MBAM and Hitman Pro (both on demand) just in case. These days, even safe sites aren't always safe any more. It just pays to have something else available.

Even a Smith and Wesson will not protect your system from today's malware and I bet it would cost way more than MBAM resident protection.  

[Chuck58]

I've also got MBAM and Hitman Pro (both on demand) just in case. These days, even safe sites aren't always safe any more. It just pays to have something else available.

Even a Smith and Wesson will not protect your system from today's malware and I bet it would cost way more than MBAM resident protection.  

LOL, these days the only real safety is staying offline and avoiding CD's, DVD's, etc. S&W is okay. I'll take my H&K P7 for serious work, not that it could protect my computer either.

[schmidthouse]

LOL
Preferred by PC Security Specialist world wide

[ImWarm]

Since you have a paid version of avast, just run your browser in the avast! sandbox to surf "worry-free". (Right click your browser and select Run in Sandbox)

Any malware that you encounter will be trapped inside the sandbox and will be wiped upon exiting the browser.

[AvastAVRules]

I've used Avast for several years now and have never had a problem or worried about one until 'NOW'! Snart Internet Protection 2011 sailed through Avast like an asteroid coming in at 50,000 mph and sliced through what appears to be a half inch of melted butter. What I am finding on the internet is that Avast is one of the slowest setups to detect viruses, spyware, malware, trojans, etc. even though it updates on my pc daily. Now I am getting the red popup with the ladies voice saying threat has been detected (several hundred times this afternoon). (26 times just typing this reply). Anyone know how to get rid of this crap?

[Gargamel360]

I've used Avast for several years now and have never had a problem or worried about one until 'NOW'! Snart Internet Protection 2011 sailed through Avast like an asteroid coming in at 50,000 mph and sliced through what appears to be a half inch of melted butter. What I am finding on the internet is that Avast is one of the slowest setups to detect viruses, spyware, malware, trojans, etc. even though it updates on my pc daily. Now I am getting the red popup with the ladies voice saying threat has been detected (several hundred times this afternoon). (26 times just typing this reply). Anyone know how to get rid of this crap?

Oh joy, a new rouge program.

Read and follow the guide here>>http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

[YoKenny]

Oh joy, a new rouge program.

I think you ment rogue.

MBAM would have prevented this new rogue as it probably is a varient of SmartHDD?
http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=72454