Avast! 5 Information

For those of you interested in Avast! 5...

The avast blog has recently put up some screen shots of what avast version 5 will look like, they also gave some more information about the different versions as well.

http://blog.avast.com/2009/07/20/avast-5-is-coming-soon/

I like the colors... As stated in the blog the beta should be available by the end of July / early August, with the final release scheduled for October.

As a long time avast user I am really looking forward to this new release.

 

Oooooooooh!! :yes:

Having the same anti-virus engine as paid versions is always a good thing. Being able to detect more viruses, while actually consuming less resources is an amazing achievement in itself. Not to mention improved boot time and malware detection. I'm guessing the 'Potentially Unwanted Programs' are keyloggers (not sure if this feature is already provided but it should be).

I like the theme for the new UI but it looks kinda... bloated. The setting panels look abit off to me too for some reason (there's just no pleasing me ). Is it really lighter? If it is... then Alwil has done an excellent job.

I'm particularly interested in the firewall. Is the suite free? Can you get the firewall module with Avast! free? If the firewall is anywhere near as good as Outpost then i'll be really tempted to switch back for an all-in-one solution.

One thing they haven't mentioned is whether they have improved detection rates for false positives. Free AV solutions always seem to suffer in this area (except MSE). Oh, and also Windows 7 compatibility.

Altogether, this sounds like it could even be lighter than Avira. Detection rates should be even closer. Need to know how many processes it runs, ram used etc. Off topic, I wonder how many AVs are extensively coded in assembly code like nod32. Anyway, can't wait.

Btw, thanks for posting this.

 

I will definetly give Avast 5 a try when released. Alwil designs rock solid AV software.

Great news as Avast 4.8 has been around for quite a while now and was due for a overall/refresh.

 

I hope they replace the default skin it`s absolutely abysmal in my opinion , I always replace it with the Mac skin, anyway i have been using Avast for a for a couple of years after loosing faith in AVG.

 

The Avast guys said that skin support will be dropped from avast 5.

Long thread here; http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=248391

 

I hope Avast 5 keeps the spinning ball thingie in the Taskbar..

I love it when my AV subtly shows it's working Gives me confidence and all. No site too bad for my AV to handle. And warns me if there is/could be a problem.

It's like being a rich person and having a Doctor on standby at your side 24/7 just in case you feel ill after stuffing yourself with heaps of food.

Just a thought.

 

Yeah they did indicate in the avast forums that the "spinning ball" will remain in avast 5. They will just change the colors used. So instead of a blue ball the ball will now be orange instead. They have also indicated that avast 5 will still talk to you as well: "caution a virus has been detected" .

I personally never cared much for the skins, they should have ditched that years ago.

I currently only use antivirus and have no need for any kind of firewall and other stuff usually found in internet security suites.

 

If everything they've mentioned in that blog is true (the increased detection rates, using less resources, improved boot time and malware detection) then i'll really consider moving from Avira to Avast, there's nothing wrong with Avira so to speak but since I installed in onto my laptop I have noticed an increase in disk activity...or it could be a placebo effect

 

I might be in the minority here but I really like the new look/UI. The one thing I hated most about Avast was the UI, even after trying various skins it still looked and felt awkward to use. If they truly managed to reduce its resources footprint then I think Avast 5 will be a hit.

 

Yeah, the UI was crappy. But the product was/is brilliant.

Avast is one of the few AV companies that concentrates on the job at hand. Namely rock solid AV. No matter what. Server issues etc. Never a problem.

Cant wait for Avast 5.0. Long overdue. I am their first customer.

And seriously...they are keeping the spinning ball thingie. This is crazy for some, but cool for me.
I like to know that my AV is working....and not blocked/uninstalled by a virus. Password protection and all.

Even Avast 4.8 had it. And hopefully 5.0 is going to be even better. A totally polished product.

Cheers

 

I use NOD32, but I will always choose Avira Antivir over anything for a free AV.

it is slightly better in catching viruses than teh avast

 

Avast was a ballhair behind Avira with detection rates.

Lets see what happens with Avast 5.0