New Antiransomware feature is now available also for Avast Beta (in IS and Premier editions).
Change in the driver verification process. Please report any issues on secure-boot enabled devices. Especially default installations of Windows 8, 8.1, 10, etc. on tablets, 2in1s and new laptops.
Information about Antiransomware protection:
Antiransomware protection provides next layer of security which protects your selected folders against to unwanted modification. These folders are protected by default: %user%/Documents,
%user%/Pictures.
Install Avast Beta
Prepare a folder for testing - create a new one and add some files into the folder - for example test.doc
Select this folder to be protected: Protection → Ransomware Shield → Show details → Select Strict Mode.
Select “Add folder” and add your folder for testing.
You can change file extensions: “Click on Change protected file types”.
From now this files from this folder are protected against modification. Try to change files, allow and block apps. Turn off whole Antiransomware protection etc…
Try smart mode too:
Protection → Ransomware Shield → Show details → Smart mode.
Remove all blocked apps and allowed apps.
Try to modify files from your test folder. Trusted apps are allowed to modify your files. Trusted apps are commonly used applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Total commander, Notepad) that our antivirus recognizes as safe.
New Antiransomware feature is now available also for Avast Beta (in IS and Premier editions).
Why not for Avast free??
avast ransomware shield smart mode failed to block ransomware encrption in time… against new jaff ransomware.
I am also testing now but if the whole drive(C:,D:) is protected it would be great… not only folders.(Suggestion to dev.)
Would like to hear an explanation for the devs about this… is it because it works in-hand with another Paid-only feature, or simply for business? (Q for devs).
Do you really have to ask, money. There really has to be differenced in the free to paid products as an incentive for free users to switch.
I’m thinking about those who have paid for Avast Pro and they aren’t even getting it. I guess the next step is the discontinuation of Avast Pro.
So the best advice I can give anyone is to have a robust backup and recovery strategy (drive imaging software) and do regular backups. I have been saying this for years and not necessarily in relation to malware/ransomware.
In release version Avast should read certain registry key and set customized Documents and Pictures instead of hard-coding these folders.
I move my Documents and Pictures (also Musics and others) to another path so default %user%/ path has almost nothing.
I feel the same, Pro edition seems being vanishing.
Note that the user data folders relocation isn’t some hack, but a standard OS feature, that is accessible from the folder properties. Also, you are missing protection for the Desktop (also relocatable btw.). If you ever worked with BFUs, you would know they put EVERYTHING on the Desktop.
There really has to be difference in the free to paid products as an incentive for free users to switch.
That's true of course, but Avast has always offered complete AV protection to free users, with non-core add-ons in the paid-for versions. As no-one would argue that ransomware protection isn't core to virus protection, this seems to be a regrettable change in approach.
Everyone deserve ransomware protection of course.Avast dev pushed avast safezone browser to free version.It needs to be in paid section and ransomware protection in free version because Ransomware is the biggest threat nowdays.
My question is that if avast safezone browser available in both free and paid versions why not Ransomware protection is available in both versions?
I don’t see any problem with the ransomware protection being in Internet Security and Premier only. To be frank, Avast needs revenues and there wasn’t really a component in Avast premium versions which would make you buy it in my opinion. Maybe the Firewall but most users would stay with Windows Firewall.
If the ransomware protection works, it is worth it and will make more users buy the premium edtions.
