Avast have new tools: Webcam Shield feature & Avast Driver Updater.

[ForgottenSeer 58943]

I just use the device manager to diable the web cam and microphone.

All you need.

Also use Wireless Auto-Off to disable your NIC's with PC shutdown so they can't be magic packet or accessed in sleep mode. If you install Wireless Auto-Off, it works for wired if you make an 'include.txt' file with the name of your wired NIC. Then set your machine for true-shutdown, not hybrid and it will kill your NIC at the device level while the machine is shutdown. On reboot just click the icon to enable the NIC.

Interestingly, the developer of Wireless Auto-Off said a few years ago govt. employees started buying it in huge numbers. Thousands and thousands of copies.. The suspicion is, it was around the time they developed technology to access sleeping NIC's on systems and wanted this program to protect their own systems!

 

[Bleak]

Avast adding even more crapware useless stuff, but at least they giving the option to install the modules you want.

 

[RoboMan]

• Application Control
• Webcam and Microphone Protection
• Keystroke Protection
• Firewall
• Web protection with antiphishing
• Protected Folder
• Network protection
• PUP PUW protection
• System Watcher
  
• Rollbacking of malware actions

In my opinion, all an antivirus should have. It's my perfect combination of modules. What else can you think of without making bloatware?

 

[mlnevese]

I know Kaspersky has it (well in the Total Security version) and i believe Bitdefender has it too so that will probably be your 2 others, as always, my nose is bothering me so i will need to go look at some others, lol.

Bitdefender added Webcam protection on the 2018 version. No details about microphone protection so I assume it doesn't have one.

 

[mlnevese]

• Application Control
• Webcam and Microphone Protection
• Keystroke Protection
• Firewall
• Web protection with antiphishing
• Protected Folder
• Network protection
• PUP PUW protection
• System Watcher
  
• Rollbacking of malware actions

In my opinion, all an antivirus should have. It's my perfect combination of modules. What else can you think of without making bloatware?

You just did a list of what Kaspersky currently does Although its PUP protection is quite weaker than some other products, like ESET, for instance...

 

[L S]

Interestingly, the developer of Wireless Auto-Off said a few years ago govt. employees started buying it in huge numbers. Thousands and thousands of copies.. The suspicion is, it was around the time they developed technology to access sleeping NIC's on systems and wanted this program to protect their own systems!

Oooo Yes , this is interesting to know - well, we all know it - but is another thing to hear / read from the Developer of the program ! :devil::devil::devil:

 

[tim one]

However, I remember a friend freaking out when suddenly a bad announcement by the FBI, about an alleged sharing of some stuff under copyright, was shown on his PC and in the meantime, the webcam led was actually turned on.

Well, at the end of course it was a .js lockscreen malware and actually the webcam was not really turned on.

But he almost got a heart attack

 

[Local Host]

Great more bloatware...

 

[L S]

However, I remember a friend freaking out when suddenly a bad announcement by the FBI, about an alleged sharing of some stuff under copyright, was shown on his PC and in the meantime, the webcam led was actually turned on.

Well, at the end of course it was a .js lockscreen malware and actually the webcam was not really turned on.

But he almost got a heart attack

Well ....... Well ....... Will definitely be surprised - when / if you see your webcam led is turned on and not by you.

 

[L S]

Great more bloatware...

Maybe , but with Avast you can turn all this features OFF - and/or uninstall them - when you like it - how you like it !

 

[tim one]

Maybe , but with Avast you can turn all this features OFF - and/or uninstall them - when you like it - how you like it !

I agree and we do not forget that Avast hardened mode aggressive is actually very effective, which is the most important thing, crap or not.

 

[ForgottenSeer 58943]

Oooo Yes , this is interesting to know - well, we all know it - but is another thing to hear / read from the Developer of the program ! :devil::devil::devil:

He blogged about it a bit back a few years ago about a sudden, massive interest from US Gov. in his products.

Increase in Government and Military Usage
Recently we have noticed an increase in Government and Military usage of Wireless AutoSwitch. In the last month we have been contacted by several military organizations interested in purchasing licenses and have sold 6,000 licenses to these types of organizations alone.

 

[Cloud9]

Well this is interesting . the thing about paid antivirus software is they always offer extras like webcam shield and so on. The real value of the software is in its ability to protect us. Any other features are not really required. this is why we have to download different programs for anti- malware, exploit and anti virus. How about including both Anti Virus, Anti Malware and Anti exploit with real time protection all in one package ? that did make my life a lot easier since i wouldn't have to wait for all the anti malware , exploit and anti virus software to load before i can use my computer.

 

[L S]

Well this is interesting . the thing about paid antivirus software is they always offer extras like webcam shield and so on. The real value of the software is in its ability to protect us. Any other features are not really required. this is why we have to download different programs for anti- malware, exploit and anti virus. How about including both Anti Virus, Anti Malware and Anti exploit with real time protection all in one package ? that did make my life a lot easier since i wouldn't have to wait for all the anti malware , exploit and anti virus software to load before i can use my computer.

Malwarebytes have 4 in 1 - Antimalware, Antiexploit, Ransomware Protection, Web Protection & extra POP and PUP features, and is Compatible with each Antivirus Program .

 

[tim one]

Well this is interesting . the thing about paid antivirus software is they always offer extras like webcam shield and so on. The real value of the software is in its ability to protect us. Any other features are not really required. this is why we have to download different programs for anti- malware, exploit and anti virus. How about including both Anti Virus, Anti Malware and Anti exploit with real time protection all in one package ? that did make my life a lot easier since i wouldn't have to wait for all the anti malware , exploit and anti virus software to load before i can use my computer.

I think that diversification would be better.
The user can have the possibility to choose the security layers based on his choice and on the basis of the quality of the chosen apps.

 

[ForgottenSeer 55474]

Hello, I use Hitmanpro Alert to watch/protect my Webcam

 

[Weebarra]

@Opcode , AVG have it too, so i beat your 2 vendors there are probably more who have it hidden in the gumph somewhere no doubt, under different names

 

[Local Host]

Well this is interesting . the thing about paid antivirus software is they always offer extras like webcam shield and so on. The real value of the software is in its ability to protect us. Any other features are not really required. this is why we have to download different programs for anti- malware, exploit and anti virus. How about including both Anti Virus, Anti Malware and Anti exploit with real time protection all in one package ? that did make my life a lot easier since i wouldn't have to wait for all the anti malware , exploit and anti virus software to load before i can use my computer.

Because a Jack of all Trades is a Master at none, the closest you have to that is Malwarebytes.