Use AVAST as a super light and easy to use ANTI-EXECUTABLE (Guide)

[ForgottenSeer 59295]

Hi, I am no way someone that doesn't know their way around a computer but wondering what the pro's and con's are to running this set up? I currently run Avast 2017 free with PUPs enabled and Hardened mode on aggressive. Along with the web and behaviour component enabled.

 

[Windows_Security]

For this setup to work you need to have UAC enabled. Only with UAC (so Vista or higher), you can consider to exclude on execute scanning of UAC protected folders.


When you are on Windows 8 and use Chrome in AppContainer or Windows 10 and use Edge or Chrome, chances of getting hit by flash, java or javascript based malware is minimal so you can consider to disable web component.

For 2017 version I would keep behavioral component enabled, it is a nice second safety net which I would keep enabled in all setup variations.

 

[shmu26]

For this setup to work you need to have UAC enabled. Only with UAC (so Vista or higher), you can consider to exclude on execute scanning of UAC protected folders.


When you are on Windows 8 and use Chrome in AppContainer or Windows 10 and use Edge or Chrome, chances of getting hit by flash, java or javascript based malware is minimal so you can consider to disable web component.

For 2017 version I would keep behavioral component enabled, it is a nice second safety net which I would keep enabled in all setup variations.

do you know which component of the 2017 version is responsible for certain programs not running, although they ran well with the previous version of AVAST?

 

[SHvFl]

For this setup to work you need to have UAC enabled. Only with UAC (so Vista or higher), you can consider to exclude on execute scanning of UAC protected folders.


When you are on Windows 8 and use Chrome in AppContainer or Windows 10 and use Edge or Chrome, chances of getting hit by flash, java or javascript based malware is minimal so you can consider to disable web component.

For 2017 version I would keep behavioral component enabled, it is a nice second safety net which I would keep enabled in all setup variations.

Maybe a good idea is to also uninstall IE that doesn't offer the same protection as Edge in case that you download something weird, launch it and then tries to use IE to abuse your system.

 

[Evjl's Rain]

do you know which component of the 2017 version is responsible for certain programs not running, although they ran well with the previous version of AVAST?

I doubt it's due to game mode. It turns off avast's notifications

in 1 occasion, after a hybrid sleep, my avast completely froze, not able to open the main UI while settings UI was still accessible. I was not able to open 1 of my applications at it showed up briefly in task manager and then terminated. I couldn't open game mode to see if it caused the problem or not => I logged off -> entered my user account -> everything worked again

edit: my unconfirmed temporary solution

 

[shmu26]

I doubt it's due to game mode. It turns off avast's notifications

in 1 occasion, after a hybrid sleep, my avast completely froze, not able to open the main UI while settings UI was still accessible. I was not able to open 1 of my applications at it showed up briefly in task manager and then terminated. I couldn't open game mode to see if it caused the problem or not => I logged off -> entered my user account -> everything worked again

edit: my unconfirmed temporary solution
View attachment 138658

I saw they pushed out a new beta. Does it fix issues, without breaking anything else?

 

[Evjl's Rain]

I saw they pushed out a new beta. Does it fix issues, without breaking anything else?

I don't want to install the beta as it may cause more problems. This final version has enough problems to be dealt with. Let's wait until they push out the official release so it would be a bit more stable

 

[Windows_Security]

Maybe a good idea is to also uninstall IE that doesn't offer the same protection as Edge in case that you download something weird, launch it and then tries to use IE to abuse your system.

Good advice , I for instance uninstalled IE when I ran windows 10

 

[Windows_Security]

do you know which component of the 2017 version is responsible for certain programs not running, although they ran well with the previous version of AVAST?

No sorry never had any problems myself using just fileshield

 

[Handsome Recluse]

The question is would you use it instead of the NoVirusThanks EXE Radar Pro or Woodooshield?

NVT ERP is deprecated and both have multiple popups though VoodooShield in smart or always on mode turns itself off when you allow the prompt for install which is nice. Avast decides for you though. Essentially more usable than either.

 

[Windows_Security]

The question is would you use it instead of the NoVirusThanks EXE Radar Pro or Woodooshield?

Sorry for the vague answer, but I woudl choose this
1. Avast Fileshield using hardened mode (aggresive) cloud whitelist works fine for average (not security aware) users
2. Voodoo Shield I would use in Auto-pilot mode for moderate (security) aware users
3. Experienced users are professional enough to make their own choices

 

[shmu26]

The question is would you use it instead of the NoVirusThanks EXE Radar Pro or Woodooshield?

these two softwares give better protection against scripts, and also have better anti-exploit protection.

 

[shmu26]

How is the current stable version of Avast 2017? Does it still have the issues that people were complaining about when it first came out, or are they solved?

 

[Marko :)]

How is the current stable version of Avast 2017? Does it still have the issues that people were complaining about when it first came out, or are they solved?

I never had any problems with Avast 2017 but apparently, conflicts between Comodo Firewall HIPS and Avast BS as well as BSoDs should be fixed.

You can always install it and see how it behaves on your PC.

 

[shmu26]

I never had any problems with Avast 2017 but apparently, conflicts between Comodo Firewall HIPS and Avast BS as well as BSoDs should be fixed.

You can always install it and see how it behaves on your PC.

In fact I did that.
The issue that affected me was that it blocked scheduled backups of Macrium Reflect.
I just got an answer from the Avast forum, they say to wait until the next release is announced.

 

[Marko :)]

In fact I did that.
The issue that affected me was that it blocked scheduled backups of Macrium Reflect.
I just got an answer from the Avast forum, they say to wait until the next release is announced.

Does it still block Macrium Reflect? If yes, do you know which component?

 

[shmu26]

Does it still block Macrium Reflect? If yes, do you know which component?

check out this thread: Macrium Reflect backup no longer works with latest version of Avast

 

[Evjl's Rain]

I believe with only 3 following modules installed + 1 setting modification => there would be no problem
I experienced a few problems with avast but after using those settings in the screenshots, I have had none so far. Game mode, IMO, the cause of most problems

the other problem is setting importing. Confirmed temporary fix is to import a backup file from version 2016 => cancel => import the backup file of v2017 => done

 

[HarborFront]

What if I enable the other features + the features for setting up as an anti-exe will Avast still be an anti-exe?

If yes, then with the above setup does that means I do not require another anti-exe?

Thanks

 

[Windows_Security]

Productmanager of Avast emailed me that will do some improvements on the GUI in Q4 and are considering the option to allow folder exceptions for hardened mode,. This facilitates a local AV blacklist approach or Windows and Program files and a Whitelist (hardened mode) approach for user space. This best of both worlds would reduce negatives effects of whitelist blocking unknown legitimate programs to a minimum since it would only apply to user space (which normally only contains new and portable programs).