I am happy to announce new version of AVAST Antivirus (build number 12.1.2272), called NITRO Update.
It’s for these products: Free Antivirus, Pro Antivirus, Internet Security and Premier.
This update is focused on improving the performance and detection capabilities. We also stopped using the year in product name, as we will be releasing new versions in monthly cycles from now.
We also removed some features that might have been causing problems or not being used by many users in order to make Avast faster and lighter.
What’s new:
Lower system impact - faster boot time, less space taken on disk
CyberCapture - better detection of unknown and unique files via our cloud technology
Regular monthly program updates - automatic and silent, configurable via Settings
Improved detection of router vulnerabilities
New Bank mode in SafeZone browser
Faster SecureLine connection
Antispam is now as opt-in component
Removed hardware virtualization (NG) - replaced with CyberCapture,that has much lower impact on system resources
Removed Remote assistance - not used enough and not a core functionality
How to install:
Update from existing Avast version via Settings → Update → Update program
I’m not sure about monthly release cycles, bit too much like Win10 and to some extent Ubuntu non LTS, a moving target.
Maybe there should be a LTS release (yearly or 6 monthly) where stability is key and for those more adventurous, new features/tweaks in the monthly updates. The saving grace currently is that you are not forced into it and can turn the monthly update off (according to the changelog).
I do fully support de-bloating avast, focusing on performance and detection though.
Each month we will see new/improved features. There are exciting things being baked.
The goal is very high and internal team are working with a much shorter release time (and maybe also beta cycle will follow this faster ring).
In fact, for the olders, do you remember the time that we need longer cycles at Avast?
Right now, how many of us have “critical” issues with Avast?
I remember my last one on version 6.
Now we are quite mature on version 12.
I’d use Remote Assistance, but every time I tried it, it never worked. All I got back was mouse pointer and black screen. I’ve reported it here and got no real response for it so I just stopped using it entirely and fallen back to old over the phone click by click guidance…
I am also extremely unhappy that in this new version of Avast “Remote Assistance” was removed.
I used this particular feature quite often to provide general computer support for 2 of my elderly aunts both in their 70’s who often just need help with very basic computer things.
They both live quite some distance away from me so it wasn’t just as case of walking over to their houses to sort things out and I found the Remote Assistance
feature invaluble in enabling me to sort things out for them.
Really sucks that this useful feature has been taken out