After using Avbast Antivirus free for several years, I upgraded to Avast Internet Security Professional last week. Before the day was over, my Vista Ultimate 32 system crashed from memory error 0x0000008E related to avast file aswfw.sys. I got tired of the crashes and called Avast for support. The technician logged into my PC via LogMeIn then proceeded to tell me that the links to online scans such as eset and Microsoft OneCare can conflict with Avast. Really?!?!?
Then he wanted to remove Malwarebytes Pro and SuperAntiSpyware Pro from my PC. I had never had a conflict between those programs before with the free version of avast. I explained that I had entered the program executables as exclusions so there should be no conflicts. He still insisted on removing SuperAntiSpyware Pro even though real-time active scanning was turned off.
Has anyone here had a verifiable conflict between Avast Internet Security and SuperAntiSpyware Pro with real-time scanning disabled?
I haven’t had any problems with SAS Pro, but I’m not using avast Pro or AIS, but essentially it is the same avast resident shields. See my signature under my post.
I wouldn’t recommend MBAM Pro & SAS Pro on the same system. As essentially I would apply the same don’t install two resident AVs at the same time on the same system to anti-spyware/malware applications. So I would have one on as the resident and the other as on-demand.
Whilst the links to the on-line scanners shouldn’t be a problem; running the on-line scans could cause a conflict as avast would effectively be looking over their and scanning file that they want to open for scanning, etc.
If I were to run an on-line scan (I can’t recall the last one I did, rare as hens teeth) once I had established the connection and just before running the scan, pause the file system shield (you may also need to pause the web shield as it may detect the on-line scans signatures) and immediately the scan is complete enable avast again. However, for me I don’t like letting my defences down even for that short time whilst on-line, that is why I can’t recall the last time I did it.
With MBAM Pro and avast I really don’t see much of a requirement for on-line scans and you also have SAS Pro; even if that was used as non-resident on-demand scanner you have a relatively good multi-application/level approach to security. This for diminishes the need for on-line scanning.
The online scans were performed when malware got by both avast and malwarebytes via a hijacked website. Of course I closed all other security programs when running those scans. Every online scanner that I am aware of will not even run if a resident antivirus is on.
SAS Pro is not turned on for real-time (active) scanning. It only scans on demand.
When the first “technician” wanted to optimize my system by deleting a lot of programs that do not even run on startup, I began to get doubts about the abilities if these “technicians”. The first technician transferred me to a second technician who deleted SAS then began to delete many references to other security programs in the registry. The problem is that all he deleted were the registry entries in the Enhanced Security Configuration (escdomain) section that were blocking ROGUE security websites. A rogue security program is what got past Avast last year. I sure do not want those sites identified as malware to be unblocked again. I hope the Avast company is not paying iyogi much money for that level of support.
I though so, personally I don’t believe that they are that good and are trying to reduce the number of permutations in the hope of resolving a problem without too much work. I may well be wrong about that, its just an impression I have about most 3rd party support services.
The CEO of Avast has requested to hear all feedback related to iYogi to make future changes. You can give him your feedback via email to Mr. Steckler: steckler (at) avast (dot) com …no spaces in between and tell him exactly what happened to you. You can also reference this thread if you like.
In the future, if you need support, the quickest and easiest way is through this forum. Besides, we are friendly and free. We are also users of Avast products and understand how it works as well.
Let us know if you have any additional questions. Thank you.
Thanks SafeSurf. I will send the e-mail message today. I have no problem with outsourcing and even worked for Electronic Data Systems for 9 ½ years; however, the tendency is to substitute detailed methods & procedures for skills and knowledge. This should produce consistent predictable results but unfortunately the results are often mediocre and fall short of success.
We are also users of Avast products and understand how it works as well.