Hi all,
it’s Friday afternoon, I’m excited to inform you about AVAST 2015 Beta2 (build number 10.0.2200).
As you can see, the UI hasn’t changed a lot, but internally we are delivering you a lot of new for this new major version of AVAST.
In AVAST 2015 Beta2, we are introducing two completely new features:
• AVAST NG
A hardware based virtualization solution capable of running each Windows process in standalone safe virtualized environment (VM) and fully integrated to your desktop. Each process is executed in its own instance of VM, which means totally isolated from your other applications. This feature is now powering the Avast DeepScreen, resulting in better detection. The technology will also eventually power the Sandbox and SafeZone components (although it does not now).
Note: In this beta build, not all detections are 100% operable yet, so I wouldn’t recommend using the new DeepScreen for detection testing for now. It will be 100% operable in the next couple of weeks - we will certainly let you know when is the good time to start testing with your malware collections :).
Note 2: Avast NG can be installed only on physical machine, does not work in VM. It requires HW virtualization enabled.
• GrimeFighter Free
GrimeFighter will offer free cleaning of junk files and tuning of system settings. These tasks are performed by our Zilch and Torque minions. Other minion functions remain as paid-for features.
Features introduced in AVAST 2015 beta1:
• HTTPS scanning
Now, we are able to detect and decrypt TLS/SSL protected traffic in our Web-content filtering component. We are using our own generated certificates that are added into the Root Certificate store in Windows and also into major browsers. This feature will protect you against viruses coming through HTTPs traffic as well as adding compatibility for SPDY+HTTPS/ HTTP 2.0 traffic. You can tune/disable this feature in the settings section.
• Home Network Security
Scan your home network for vulnerabilities (wifi status, connected devices, router settings, factory passwords, etc.). This is quite a new approach as we are trying to discover potential problems not isolated on the particular device only, but in the entire network of devices you use or connect to the Internet from.
• SecureDNS (this feature is active in the paid versions only)
We are introducing a new provider which guards against unprotected DNS/DNS hijack on a router/client (including unsecured networks, public ones, etc.).
• Smart Scan
Integrated all on demand scans into one (Antivirus, Software updates, Home Network, GrimeFighter). One scan, different results and recommendations.
• New Support System
Easy contact for paid users to submit a ticket with all info included automatically. Improved knowledge base for free users. Help is completely online and is more up to date.
• General bugfixing
This covers a lot of stability & performance changes in all components (but the main focus was traditionally on the network & engine components).
We would like to ask for your feedback, what is not working, what is your experience, whether do you see any performance problems,
connectivity problems, etc. There is a lot of new low-level functionality with an impact to the whole system, so we need your feedback
to tune everything for the final release. Thanks a lot!
Known problems
- IE AOSP plugin has still some minor issues
- slow first start of avast! UI after first reboot after update
- minor performance problems on Win8 under heavy network traffic
Download locations
http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup.exe
avast! cleaner:
http://files.avast.com/beta9x/avast_clear.exe
It should be possible to install this version on top of your existing avast! installation (all settings should be preserved).
Stay with us!
Michal Vanek
