Avast 2015, Browser protection, Settings - nothing there

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I de-installed the Browser protection module, because when I went to “Settings,” nothing was there: chrome://wrc/content/options.html

It seemed buggy, and I probably didn’t need it, if Web Shield is enabled.

I then figured out that without the Browser protection module, that’s why Avast fails this second test:

2.) Test if my protection against a drive-by download (EICAR.COM) is enabled . . . http://www.amtso.org/check-desktop

It catches the drive-by download when the Browser protection module is installed.

Still, when I click on “Settings,” nothing is there. Any idea why?

2

I’ve just tested the 2nd option with Opera without the browser protection installed.
Nothing was flagged by any of my security software/hardware, but also nothing was downloaded.

It seems to me that they haven’t setup that test correctly.

3

If you have the Browser protection module installed, does Avast catch it, using Opera?

My main question here, though, is, when you click to see the Browser protection “Settings” . . . chrome://wrc/content/options.html

. . . why isn’t there anything there? It’s a blank page. Do you see anything? I should see:

Antiphishing

Do not track
… social networks
… ad tracking
… web analytics
… others

Site Correct

SafeZone . . . greyed out

Statistics

Search engine results

SafePrice

4

Tested link above and got the result below:

5

I get a different error (404), which looks like the page is trying to redirect and a suspect link when checking (hovering over) the Webmaster link.

6

The Browser protection module doesn’t keep up with Firefox releases. I’m just going to de-install it, because I learned that Firefox has it’s own phishing protection. The Browser protection module is just duplicating it, so that in itself is another reason to de-install it (for increased speed, maybe):

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-does-phishing-and-malware-protection-work

Firefox didn’t download anything in the second AMTSO test (nothing shows up in Downloads), so I’m going to assume that it has passed that test.

Personal opinions of websites in WOT isn’t really security, is it? Things go on behind the scenes. How could one know if a site is safe, just by looking at it?

7

I just re-did the second AMTSO test without the Browser protection - or Home Network Security - module installed, and Avast caught it.

Weird. I wonder why you get the pop-up with the bug in the bottom right sometimes, and sometimes you don’t.

8

Just visited AMTSO webpage a few hours ago, and all but the download page was immediately blocked by avast. AOS is installed but did not play a role at all in the blocks, as WebShield was the only blocking actor.

Download failed as the .part file could not be found. Now have 10 blocks this week thanks to AMTSO test page.