Avast Beta 17.5.2299

[DavidR]

@lucD post:15

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.

I think they are running out of non-av add-ons as they are already in there in the AIS/Premier versions.

I think we are now seeing what were the differences in AVG free and AVG Paid options now Avast has AVG in its stable it looks like a change in what you get for free. For me I would rather pay to get rid of the non-security bloat, but I can always do a custom install and get rid of it.

[cristianojgm]

@Alikhan post:19

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.

There is already another company that uses specific protection against ransomware in the premier versions of your antivirus. In the case of avast it would not be any different.

[cristianojgm]

The free version of avast will continue to protect against ransomware as the shield behavior.

[Asyn]

@cristianojgm post:23

The free version of avast will continue to protect against ransomware as the shield behavior.

Absolutely.

[bob3160]

IMHO, Avast built it’s reputation on the protection offered in the free version.
It has grown to it’s current world leading status due to the security offered in the free version.
If Avast now changes it’s basic model to were you need to purchase the product in order to get meaningful detection,
I think Avast will loose out in the end.

[DavidR]

@bob3160 post:25

IMHO, Avast built it’s reputation on the protection offered in the free version.
It has grown to it’s current world leading status due to the security offered in the free version.
If Avast now changes it’s basic model to were you need to purchase the product in order to get meaningful detection,
I think Avast will loose out in the end.

Well ransomware is certainly the greatest threat to your average computer user (with little experience) and lets face it avast built their protection and default settings for the average user. So they didn’t have to make decisions they may have felt they weren’t experienced enough to decide.

I feel your average computer user is ill-prepared to deal with ransomware, should it be included in the free version, it would be nice. But as has been said you can’t get everything for free, what do you throw out to be able to include ransomware.

There are some free options that protect against ransomware, is avast driving users to these companies or to other AV companies who might offer ransomware protection for free. Once people start looking the decision might not just be ransomware but a new AV solution.

[system]

@Asyn post:17

Guys, in all short, you can’t get everything for free. That’s it.

All the best things in life are free.
A backup e.g.

[Rednose]

Guys, just to clear things up

Ransomware Shield doesn’t detect - or protect you from Ransomware.
That is what Web -, Mail -, File System - and Behaviour shields do, and is the same for Avast Free and Paid.

Ransomware Shield walls off ( protect ) selected folders from unwanted modification by Ransomware, or other apps.
You can select protected folders, block or allow apps, and change protected file types.

That is also why I think Ransomware Shield is not the right name for this feature.

Greetz, Red.

[Rednose]

To the Team :

Imo Ransomware Shield should be added to Status monitoring :

Avast - Settings - General - Status monitoring.

Greetz, Red.

[Patrick2]

While I don’t agree Ransomware shield isn’t in Free edition, but if it just walls off some folders to prevent modification then I guess can live with that, and be happy and feel still protected with my Avast Free edition. Actually testing the latest beta on my Windows 10 System for first time after image backup, as well as my Little Windows 7 Atom PC

Of course my Documents, Video, Music, and Downloads aren’t even in the Default location, but on other drive, so likely there I’m pretty safe from Ransomware, as I expect if I did come across ransomware it would look in the default locations, unless I’m wrong on that

Of course I backup weekly, new image every month

Been using Avast since 2006, almost got tempted to switch back to Defender recently after reading another forum around the web where someone asked Avast Free or Defender, and a lot of the comments was like Defender, and Malwarebytes 3 all you need, Avast is intrusive and bloated these days, I don’t feel it’s bloated or too intrusive myself, I just didn’t comment in that forum as probably would’ve started a war lol

Keep up the good work Avast Developers

[RejZoR]

Antiransomware feature should be also in Free version, but limited to Photos and Documents only where IS/Premier would allow you to protect any folder you want. This way you still give some basic protection, but not all of it.

[Rednose]

@RejZoR post:31

Antiransomware feature should be also in Free version, but limited to Photos and Documents only where IS/Premier would allow you to protect any folder you want. This way you still give some basic protection, but not all of it.

Interesting suggestion Boris, that I can support

Greetz, Red.

[Patrick2]

That’s a good idea, Photo and Document protection in Free version i’d support that as well

[cristianojgm]

@RejZoR post:31

Antiransomware feature should be also in Free version, but limited to Photos and Documents only where IS/Premier would allow you to protect any folder you want. This way you still give some basic protection, but not all of it.

good idea.

[Asyn]

Passwords is still listed twice. (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?msg=1398898)

[system]

@RejZoR post:31

Antiransomware feature should be also in Free version, but limited to Photos and Documents only where IS/Premier would allow you to protect any folder you want. This way you still give some basic protection, but not all of it.

That would be nice.

[NON]

There is a problem with the layout of notification toaster and localization, see attached image.
One of the text string is too long, resulting overlap into other texts.

[Rednose]

@Asyn post:35

Passwords is still listed twice. (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?msg=1398898)

Confirmed.

Greetz, Red.

[Lord_Ami]

I have something odd to report. I can’t say for sure, but seems automatic updating is broken for me?
I remember the same thing happened 2 days ago or was it yesterday. Database was based on 9th of June when I opened updater and updated it.

Today same thing - it’s already 13th and my database was 11-0

Could it have something to do with the fact that I set update interval to 180 minutes? I’ll surely observe this closely for next days. FYI, computer has been running for many many hours straight and has been restarted daily.

EDIT:

Log:
2017-06-09 15:25:44 AR2DEV: Stop 1
2017-06-09 15:26:23 AVAVER: 17.5.2298 AR2: 170606 defs: 17060808
2017-06-09 15:36:08 AR2CFG: 170518
2017-06-09 15:36:08 AR2DEV: Start 1 Driver: 170525  BETA
2017-06-09 16:58:44 AR2DEV: Stop 1
2017-06-09 16:58:44 AVAVER: 17.5.2298 AR2: 170608 defs: 17060900
2017-06-09 16:58:44 AR2CFG: 170608
2017-06-09 16:58:44 AR2DEV: Start 1 Driver: 170525  BETA
2017-06-09 17:00:29 AVAVER: 17.5.2298 AR2: 170608 defs: 17060900
2017-06-09 17:00:29 AR2CFG: 170608
2017-06-09 23:36:17 AVAVER: 17.5.2298 AR2: 170608 defs: 17060900
2017-06-09 23:36:17 AR2CFG: 170608
2017-06-12 18:38:49 AR2DEV: Stop 1
2017-06-12 18:38:49 AVAVER: 17.5.2298 AR2: 170609 defs: 17061100
2017-06-12 18:38:49 AR2CFG: 170608
2017-06-12 18:38:49 AR2DEV: Start 1 Driver: 170525  BETA
2017-06-12 18:41:30 AVAVER: 17.5.2299 AR2: 170609 defs: 17061100
2017-06-12 18:41:30 AR2CFG: 170608
2017-06-12 18:41:46 AR2DEV: Stop 1
2017-06-12 18:42:58 AVAVER: 17.5.2299 AR2: 170609 defs: 17061100
2017-06-12 18:44:45 AVAVER: 17.5.2299 AR2: 170609 defs: 17061100
2017-06-12 20:26:04 AR2CFG: 170608
2017-06-12 20:26:04 AR2DEV: Start 1 Driver: 170606  BETA
2017-06-13 19:05:12 AR2DEV: Stop 1
2017-06-13 19:05:13 AVAVER: 17.5.2299 AR2: 170609 defs: 17061202
2017-06-13 19:05:13 AR2CFG: 170608
2017-06-13 19:05:13 AR2DEV: Start 1 Driver: 170606  BETA

I’m pretty sure update from 17060900 to 17061100 was initiated by me.
As was 17061100 to 17061202 (just minutes ago as I made this post).

[Rednose]

Hi Lord_Ami

No problems with automatic updates in the Beta here.
Virus update history :

https://www.avast.com/virus-update-history

An update interval of 180 minutes can’t be the problem, as you can set it as low as 20 minutes.
Lower update interval settings will be ignored, and executed as 20 minutes intervals afaik.

Have you tried a repair of Avast ?

Greetz, Red.