Safe Zone

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Does the Safe Zone offer enhanced protection when on an unsecured WIFI? Thanks.
Jerry

2

Yes.
Better then not :wink: :slight_smile:

3

I had been told that I should use a VPN, and that the Safe Zone would not be safe. However, without much knowledge, it seems to be that if the browser being used is secure that whether the WIFI is secure or not does not affect the security of the use within that browser.

If in a hotel, I would like to be safe when using PayPal for instance.
Thanks,
Jerry

4

as for unsecured wifi, SafeZone uses own DNS servers (through an encrypted HTTPS connection) so infected user on your WiFi network can’t redirect your requests. For example, If you go to myaccount.bank.com and someone on Wifi is infected with DNS Changer variant, he wont see your web request and change your final web address.

5

Thanks, PK. That is very helpful. I am not aware of another AV that has such a feature.
Regards,
Jerry

6

I found this test which tests 14 AVs for ability to block threats when banking, etc.
http://www.kaspersky.com/downloads/pdf/online_payments_threats_report_matousec.pdf

Comments?

ADDED

VLK pointed out on Wilders that the Matousec test did not use the Safe Zone of Avast. That does not fairly indicate the real capabilities of Avast. >:( Avast did comparatively well however, even without the Safe Zone. I sure would liked to have seen the test with Safe Zone.

Best,
Jerry

7

yes,

  1. It doesn’t test SafeZone, but sandboxed web browser (on default desktop). SafeZone is executed on different desktop and thus you’re much more protected.
  2. It tests that apps can’t monitor your sandboxed web browser, but sandboxed web browser (by avast) is designed to protect you from web malware (i.e. malware shouldn’t get outside web browser, to infect your computer).

You should use SafeZone to combine both advantages.

8

Thanks, PK.
I tried to use the sandbox, but it caused trouble in both IE and FF, the latest versions. I realize that I could get a lot of help here, and probably get it all working, but am just not that interested in the sandbox.

Jerry

9

I had sandbox problems - until I removed Trusteer Rapport. May or may not be relevant to your case.

10

Thanks mag,
I don’t have Trusteer Rapport, but there may be something else. I just don’t want sandbox enough to go to a lot of trouble finding the problem. I am satisfied that the Safe Zone will take of any additional security I may need.

In over 15 years of using computers I have never had a penetration, although there were about three attempts my AVs caught and blocked them.

Thanks, again,
Jerry