pLEASE TELL ME

HI ALL PLEASE TELL ME IS AVAST 5 BETA 5.0.259 SAFE TO USE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST VIRUSES AND MALWARE TILL THE OFFICIAL RELEASE OF AVAST 5?

WHAT DOES 1640 REPRESENT? EG: Virus Database (VPS): 19/12/1640

PLEASE COULD YOU KINDLY TELL ME THANK YOU

HI ALL PLEASE TELL ME IS AVAST 5 BETA 5.0.259 SAFE TO USE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST VIRUSES AND MALWARE TILL THE OFFICIAL RELEASE OF AVAST 5?
I think so, it is the one i use
WHAT DOES 1640 REPRESENT? EG: Virus Database (VPS): 19/12/1640
where do you see that?......mine says 091219-1 (19.12.2009) http://www.avast.com/eng/vps_history.html (the update of the page is often slower then the program)

No need to use capitals, it’s considered shouting.

Short answer, probably. Maybe not.
You shouldn’t really use any Beta software on a computer unless you are prepared to reinstall the OS. “Beta” means it’s still being tested/bugfixed, so no guarantees.
Avast 4.8 is proven, tested, secure, not buggy.
Why not use that until 5 is released?