User Feedback Avast Premium Security 20.9

[McMcbrad]

Btw, the dll AVG/Avast hooks into every processes like most/all AV does isn't signed by Microsoft. So, if you have enabled Code Integrity Guard for something like Microsoft Edge then it gives you an error when you I try to run the browser. It eventually opens after few clicks but won't be fully protected by AVG I assume.
Bitdefender, ESET, G-Data, McAfee, Kaspersky, etc many products's dll are signed by Microsoft. They don't have this issue. I remeber ESET version 12 used to have this issue but they made their dll signed by Microsoft early last year if I remember correctly. Avast/AVG should do the same too. Wonder why they haven't yet! Are you a paid customer? If yes then try contacting them via support and ask them about this.

You are right, it's not signed by Microsoft. I will contact them about this.
Not hooking a process will result in behavioural blocking not knowing what the process does. It's not the end of the world, but it would be better to attach it properly.

wort

 

[SeriousHoax]

You are right, it's not signed by Microsoft. I will contact them about this.

View attachment 249512

I'm guessing you need to pay and it's not cheap to get your dll signed by Microsoft But I'm sure money is not the issue here for Avast.

 

[McMcbrad]

I'm guessing you need to pay and it's not cheap to get your dll signed by Microsoft But I'm sure money is not the issue here for Avast.

Oh no, it's not about the money, it's just on every update you need to wait for them to inspect your library and sign it, which delays your release cycle.

Ouch, this made me feel old, I still remember how some Ewido users were angry and disappointed with this acquisition, good piece of software in its time.

I believe it was German-made, wasn't it?

 

[oldschool]

I decided to take AVG Free for a spin. Upon install, the program froze in "You're unprotected" limbo and GUI would not open. Needed a hard shutdown of laptop and a reboot. Upon reboot, tweaked settings to include: Hardened mode, file scanning upon opening/executing and disabled HTTPS scanning.

I can say with the certainty of past experience that I've never had installation problems nor have I experienced a need to tweak settings other than hardened mode. This version just isn't the smooth and light AVG compared to when I last tried it, maybe 1-2 years ago.

 

[McMcbrad]

I decided to take AVG Free for a spin. Upon install, the program froze in "You're unprotected" limbo and GUI would not open. Needed a hard shutdown of laptop and a reboot. Upon reboot, tweaked settings to include: Hardened mode, file scanning upon opening/executing and disabled HTTPS scanning.

I can say with the certainty of past experience that I've never had installation problems nor have I experienced a need to tweak settings other than hardened mode. This version just isn't the smooth and light AVG compared to when I last tried it, maybe 1-2 years ago.

The only tweak I have done is increased the heuristics sensitivity to max. I’ve been promised that the UI thing will be fixed in 20.10. Both AVG and Avast have the same issue, after install it says “Our UI can’t load. That’s embarrassing “ or something of this sort.

 

[McMcbrad]

This is what I discovered today. Apparently, you can stop receiving offers by launching the AVG uninstaller.

 

[oldschool]

Apparently, you can stop receiving offers by launching the AVG uninstaller.

Free version is different. It offers a switch to passive mode when you launch it.

Only "Other offer" (upgrade) prompts I get when I "complete" the smart scan by clicking "Advanced issues" after the browser and malware scans are finished. Easy to avoid these by closing UI. I can see how they scare less knowledgeable users with these tactics, but they're relatively minor IMO.

 

[oldschool]

So I had occasion to open Firefox after installing AVG and on first attempt a second tab automatically opened to Avast Online Security, and upon a 2nd launch of FF a second tab was auto-opened to Avast Safe Price. Avast gives up after these two browser hijacks and FF launches normally thereafter.

Wow, this is really low! And not a good look for Mozilla either!

 

[McMcbrad]

So I had occasion to open Firefox after installing AVG and on first attempt a second tab automatically opened to Avast Online Security, and upon a 2nd launch of FF a second tab was auto-opened to Avast Safe Price. Avast gives up after these two browser hijacks and FF launches normally thereafter.

Wow, this is really low! And not a good look for Mozilla either!

Does it happen repeatedly?

 

[oldschool]

Does it happen repeatedly?

No, once for each of the two extensions, and then no further hijacking.

 

[roger_m]

This is what I discovered today. Apparently, you can stop receiving offers by launching the AVG uninstaller.

Thanks for that. I was disappointed to see ads in a paid product, but I've got rid of them now.

 

[SeriousHoax]

I'm also giving the free version a spin. AVG free is not scanning HTTPS connections in browsers (Firefox & Edge) even though it's enabled. I will keep it disable anyway but wanted to check the speed difference. But it's not working.

 

[oldschool]

AVG free ... even though it's enabled. I will keep it disable anyway

This is one feature I really like about AVG.

 

[Nagisa]

Do you recommend beta of paid versions of AVG/Avast for casual usage?

 

[McMcbrad]

Do you recommend beta of paid versions of AVG/Avast for casual usage?

I recommend paid version of AVG.

 

[Nautilus]

Nice and exyensive review! but I will not touch avast ( even with a ten foot pole ) again , after that privacy infridgement debacle a while back!

 

[McMcbrad]

This is important information concerning Avast and AVG users. I have been submitting missed samples to Avast (AVG indirectly) and the response time has been less than 10 minutes, which is beyond perfect. I am not sure I've seen other company responding so fast.
McAfee and Bitdefender take a day minimum.

 

[Nagisa]

McAfee and Bitdefender take a day minimum.

How about Kaspersky?

 

[McMcbrad]

How about Kaspersky?

I'll test them with the next 0-day I find.

 

[oldschool]

I recommend paid version of AVG.

I'm on the FanWagon!