If a spyware application resident like SpywareBlaster or on-demmand as SpyBot (or Ad-aware) works with signatures.
If this spyware application can monitors some Windows Registry keys and startup menus (like TeaTimer or Ad-watch).
If avast has providers for resident and monitoring and an engine for scanning.
If avast Cleaner could repair and remove infections.
Why can’t avast! replace any anti-spyware application? :
I think that we need to more clearly define exactly what we would like it to do. If we want it to replace the likes of AdAware, SpyBot S&D or MS’s version. I would have to say No as I think that we would be getting into the realms of bloatware.
If it were a simple tool to query if a registry key entry is creation/modified, then a definite Yes. So for me the question is too general to to give a qualified answer.
Stop a trojan/malware from creating registry entries and I believe much of the problem would either be eliminated or make it easier to clean using avast’s normal standard shield. Just my thoughts without full knowledge of how/why malware creates registry entries, and if simply stopping that will reduce/eliminate the problem.
but I would see a separate aplication not a all-in-one antivirus-antispyware aplication, just to keep it simple.
I would like to see a realtime protection like antivirus.
but…
Then intergrate webshield in the antispyware instead of in the antivirus right now.
I hope you all understand what I mean with my bad English :-[
I don’t think it should entirely be set around one feature, and it incorporates a lot into the main foundations as an Anti-Virus program, as well as removing some sleezy shit that a lot of other scanners won’t touch. Adding anti-spyware into anti-virus in my opinion will boost the credit Avast already has, so should it be added in, let it be added in. It’ll further increase the defence of a users PC.
I don’t agree because you wil lose summary.
Or if it can scan on spyware like it does now with virusses and uses the same update definitions it will be good.
but I’m scared it will be more bloated then Norton so the reputation of avast will be grounded and avast will not excist anymore.
Let avast do what it does best: anti-virus. I can’t stand bloated “do it all” programs like Norton Internet Security etc. I prefer specialized software. And with Alwil having a relatively small’ish staff, they’d get IMHO overloaded if they had to tackle both viruses AND spyware… So, as they say, do one thing, and do it well, and then you’ll succeed rather than doing many things half-baked. avast does one thing well, and that’s detecting viruses.
And why re-invent the wheel? For spyware, there are already quite a few excellent free/pay programs. Examples: Lavasoft’s Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, Spycatcher, Hijack-this… even MS’s beta spyware killer (although it doesn’t work on Win 98
Nobody of us want this.
I just know that spyware is very close of virus and can be handle with the same tools that avast already has.
We want quality, not a bloatware
I doubt it’d increase in size for a few extra lines of code, but who am I to say, I have no knowledge in what programming language Avast was made in in the first place. Adding the features wouldn’t really equate to eating disk space anyway, as it’s made to be compact in the first place.
Anything like Norton deserves to be shot. Not only is it bloatware, it’s also actiware (you need to activate it online before it’ll begin to protect your PC, and if you don’t update its definitions, it kills itself), and basically a pile of crap. Avast does the job x times better and comparing it to Norton is just stupid.
However, should Avast have such a feature added in to reinforce what it currently finds I think would be ideal for a lot of standard users and I believe that it would make the software more popular. However, we don’t really have a say in that. I voted yes mainly because of the idea, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean I totally agree with it, as even I feel Avast has got enough to make the ‘typical’ user satisfied (I use the term typical to define the technical users overall here).
I voted yes with Reservations
If you join the 2 programs together, wont it become a bit confusing for the people who dont know much about viruses and spyware.
like me :-[
Well, I’m not sure what you want to hear
I believe avast! would be able to detect spyware - actually, it already does (some). I don’t know if any spyware-specific functions are necessary (i.e. functions that would be of no use for ordinary viruses/worms).
The “only” thing to do would be to complete the thread database…
As far as spyware is concerned, avast detects the most dangerous ones… If the antispyware thing integrated into avast will be something good… It will appeal to a wide range of people, so more avast users…
However, it is best if the adware definitions are bundled with the virus definitions and the adware detection will be integrated within the standard shield process… This way i believe the computer performance will not be affected… But keep in mind that alwil will have to cope with something new that is not so familiar with… I mean there are, how many, 17 years of happy virus detection…
let alwil do what thinks its best
As for the registry, I would vote a No… Because, is it really necessary? Again, it is something that doesn’t have direct connection with viruses…
As for the registry, I would vote a No... Because, is it really necessary? Again, it is something that doesn't have direct connection with viruses...
The registry has a direct connection with virtually all viruses and malware as most of them create registry entries so they are run on start-up, etc. so stop them creating registry entries, reduce the potential.
I wouldn’t say that because it’s actually completely untrue… as DavidR said before, most of them create registry entries so they can be run on start-up. It’s always better to prevent than to heal.
