Avast Does Not detect Rootkit viruses

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

After dealing with issues on July 2 due to greeting card emails that installed a mass mailing Trojan detected as Win32.Tibs-AZH or Win32.Tibs-AZX. I have learned that Avast Home version Will Not Detect installed rootkit viruses !! A test with definitions dated today 7/20/07 still allows this to go undetected !!

After running a utility to reveal the virus Avast Home will detect and remove it. I tested this rootkit virus against Symantec, McAfee, and Trend Micro, and they will detect and remove it.

I find this to be a serious flaw since many viruses and Aware programs are using Rootkits to hide! Based on this I would no longer recommend using this product.

Former Avast Home User
Calef

2

I’m not defending avast: it should have the deepest protection mode, must improve all the time.
But will you suggest Symantec (a resource hog)? McAfee (with such lower detection rates nowadays)?
You won’t find the perfect product. Just the reality…

3

Well, you can use AVG, AntiVir or Sophos Anti-Rootkit tools in addition to avast! to be protected from rootkits. Or GMER, but this one is really advanced anti-rootkit tool.