Serious Discussion Data leak: Avast Free or Bitdefender Free?

[RansomwareRemediation]

But, for those who suggest BD Free, there is some very nice, very informative information on the outbound firewall pop ups (Ask mode/AVG/Avast Free) that won't come with BD free. I may need to revisit which connection I'm allowing out. Avast has Ransomware protection (including Strict mode) which Bitdefender free does not have. They have also improved the web shield in the latest update. At times, in normal daily use, and in being alert ourselves, I'm just thinking Avast/AVG with it's settings and features, also come into play as far as any possibilities of malware during normal daily use, no? (with us being alert/aware, our part).

NEW Avast version 24.7

NEW Avast version 24.7

forum.avast.com

View attachment 284609

This is Nunzio's thread, I'm not trying to hijack it, but he and I both have some of the same questions, and concerns. So I'm just expressing my views, maybe giving a counterbalance view, and of possibly being wrong.

So for a free versions, they may be pretty close security wise, without buying BD?


Then this also. I'm not trying to corner Trident, as I respect the heck out of him and his posts and insights on the forum.


I know I'm repeating myself, but with the features of Avast/AVG free, the settings, Ransomware (strict mode as well), Firewall notifications, ability to easily right-click pause protection, in daily use, doesn't that also factor into what to use?

Avast, having the modules it has, will have worse protection than Bitdefender.

 

[lokamoka820]

But, for those who suggest BD Free, there is some very nice, very informative information on the outbound firewall pop ups (Ask mode/AVG/Avast Free) that won't come with BD free. I may need to revisit which connection I'm allowing out. Avast has Ransomware protection (including Strict mode) which Bitdefender free does not have. They have also improved the web shield in the latest update. At times, in normal daily use, and in being alert ourselves, I'm just thinking Avast/AVG with it's settings and features, also come into play as far as any possibilities of malware during normal daily use, no? (with us being alert/aware, our part).

This out of topic, but I noticed this outbound firewall pop up yesterday with Norton 360, so Gen Digital with Avast/AVG/Norton become Nescafé 3 in 1.

The firewall in Avast Free is a nice addition but the same can be achieved with Windows Firewall.

I'm curious how to achieve the same with Window Firewall, is it for example by using WFC with Medium Filtering (recommended mode)?

 

[Jonny Quest]

This out of topic, but I noticed this outbound firewall pop up yesterday with Norton 360, so Gen Digital with Avast/AVG/Norton become Nescafé 3 in 1.
View attachment 284618

I'm curious how to achieve the same with Window Firewall, is it for example by using WFC with Medium Filtering (recommended mode)?

It looks very familiar, doesn't it And that's why I do like 3rd party AV's/apps, in this case the firewall notifications, it's laid out better, more information (and options) that makes sense. Good question about if WFC can provide some of the same pop up information and abilities.

 

[lokamoka820]

In your opinion, regarding data leak in case of malware execution, which is more effective in quickly interrupting the connection to an IP address? Avast Free or Bitdefender Free?

I ask this question because sometimes I enjoy running some malware to test Avast Free (or Bitdefender when I had it), I know that it should not be done on a PC but on a virtual machine or on a PC where there is no sensitive data.

Anyway, this is the second time that my Paypal login data has probably been stolen, in fact I am receiving the SMS with the code to access. Obviously I will change the password again.

So I would not want Avast Free to be unable to quickly interrupt the connection to a malicious page/IP server.

The same thing happened about 1 year ago when they hacked my LinkedIn and Google account. At that time I was using Avast and enjoying running some malware (I know it shouldn't be done ).

This makes me wonder... maybe Bitdefender's protection is more effective in this regard? Even if you don't have Bitdefender's firewall.

Obviously I won't do these tests on a PC with data anymore, but this makes me think in case of a real attack where I would run a malicious file.

Do you use a dedicated password manager, or you store your login data in your browser's password manager?

 

[Nunzio_77]

Utilizzi un gestore password dedicato oppure memorizzi i tuoi dati di accesso nel gestore password del tuo browser?

Yes i use Chrome password management.

 

[lokamoka820]

Yes i use Chrome password management.

I think you need to start using a dedicated password manager, browsers password manager are not safe, in that case malware will not be able to access your login data.

 

[monkeylove]

I think the firewall built-in is standard, while software like Windows Firewall Control makes it easier to use.

The firewall in Avast Free is probably similar to WFC:

Avast Firewall - Getting Started | Official Avast Support

Learn how to use Firewall in Avast Antivirus, Avast Premium Security and Avast One on Windows PC.

support.avast.com

with the advanced features ("premium") offered in paid versions:

Advanced Firewall Features

businesshelp.avast.com

That means you can probably use Avast Free with the firewall or Bitdefender Free with WFC.

Finally, some of the more advanced features might be available through free versions of other firewalls discussed in the thread or in others, but they might lead to more complications, like some incompatibility or users having to decide what to allow and what to block.

In that case, you are probably better off just getting the paid version of security programs with firewall features. One thing I noticed in light of that is that the paid version can make the system feel heavier, and likely because with more security features there may be more system impact. You can find out by trying trial versions.