Stick with Avast 4.8, upgrade to 5.0, or switch to MSE?

I'm not sure what I should do regarding security on my 1810T. I've been using avast forever, but I've seen a lot of people talking about issues with upgrading, uninstalling the old version, lock ups, etc. I've also heard good things about MSE, though I've never used it and hear it doesn't offer as good protection (and no network shield?). I'd also really miss the "virus database has been updated" sound clip from avast.

Any suggestions? Am I missing out on anything by sticking with avast 4.8?

 

I'll give you my take on all three since i've used them all.

Avast:
Pros: Nice UI, checks email for viruses, stable, warns you on shady websites, good at elimination.

Cons: Still hits you with above average resources compared to Avira and MSE but not as bad as their previous offerings. Scanner still slow.

Avira
Pro: Very Good detection, Clean UI, Low resources

Cons: Slow scanner, updates are still an issue for me. Sometimes it will update real fast and other times it'll take 10-15mins to update the definition files.

MSE
Pro: Very Good detection. Clean UI, Auto Updates including notification of newer version, fast scanner (quick scan), Low resources, eliminates threats.

Cons: Doesn't warn you of website threats. Example I picked up a trojan thinking I was going to a legit site wanting to view a car repair video. Website requested a plugin was needed. I stupidly accepted, virus ! MSE should have flagged and warned me. Looking for torrents, pr0n, you expect that BS not when you aren't looking for trouble.

My choices and it's a personal preference is:

1) MSE (low resources, fast scanner, good detection and elimination)
2) Avast (Offers the most protection and is highly customizable)
3) Avira (updating still sux, high detection, slow scanner)

Any of these three are highly recommended.

 

So MSE doesn't have any kind of real time scanning for internet content like avast's web shield?

 

Nope

 

But Avast's web shield uses a bit of CPU though. Your common sense should be enough for web browsing along with MSE.
Avast 5 also uses some CPU when downloading files.

 

I consider myself a very safe browser, but once in a blue moon ill visit a trojan infested site caught by avast, sometimes a legitimate site that's been hacked. Sounds like MSE is a no go.

Whats the cpu/ram footprint of avast 5.0 vs 4.8? I only use standard, web and network shields. (does 5.0 use the same modular shield selection?)

 

Upgrade to Avast 5, has beat Avira to become my favorite free AV. It uses low ram, it actually fluctuates depending on whats happening. Scan speeds are really quick after the first scan, I love it.

 

Why don't you install Avast 5 and try yourself?

 

because I've heard bad things about it conflicting with previous installs of 4.8, even if 4.8 was manually uninstalled.

 

Then go with MSE or Avira 10.

 

liked avast 5 so much i upgraded to the pro. no conflict with older versions here.

 

I had no idea MSE didn't scan the web pages you visit. Is there another tool you can use to do that, without conflicting with MSE? Although come to think of it, I do use the WOT extension with Chrome, maybe that's the same kinda thing.

 

That's another issue, does avast 5.0 install Chrome automatically, or is it disable-able?

Also is the x64 installer the same file as the x86 installer?

I figure I may as well give it a try.

 

MSE does scan all files downloaded into your system when web browsing. This is the whole purpose or real time malware protection.

 

Isn't that different than the webpage scanning the other posters were talking about on page one?

 

Web scanning is a feature in Avast, which scans each and every file loaded when you browse the web at the expense of some CPU usage. I had tried all the free AV's and Avast uses the most CPU when web browsing.

 

You can untick the box for Chrome during the install progress.
Avast is like Avira not a real x64 app, but some kind of hybrid app.
"Both Avira and Avast are hybrid 64 bit applications.
Only the low level kernel mode drivers that interface with operating system are written in 64 bit code."
from Best Free Windows 7 / Vista 64 bit Software
The only real x64 app is MSE ,but I liked the overall protection of Avast with its multiple shields and its better results on the latest AV-Comparatives. That's why I installed Avast! on my Win7 64bit.

 

That clears it up, thanks. The install package is the same for the 32bit and hybrid versions then, right? It'll autodetect x64 Win7?

 

It's the same.

 

So I should uninstall 4.8 first, or no?

 

To be absolutely on the safe site ==> yes.
Download the latest version 5: avast! Free Antivirus - Download Software for Virus Protection
Uninstall version 4.8
Run the uninstall untility to clean any leftovers: avast! Uninstall Utility
Install the new version 5.

 

How about license key/registration?

 

I was on Avast 4.8 for years and upgraded to the latest version 5.0. After this I noticed slow downs, some programs crashing and websites not loading even with protection disabled. I went back to version 4.8 and those issues disappeared. I don't know what it is with Antivirus programs, they start out all efficient and minimal and after a few updates they transform into bloatware with a big GUI and unnecessary features.

 

Do you use a free or paid version?
For the free version you can register again simply in the program itself:
avast! 5.x: Inserting the license key into avast! Free Antivirus

 

I don't know what version of 5 you used.
From the first beta to the latest version 5.0.545 a lot of things have changed.
But personally I had them all both the free and pro version (not internet security) without any problems.

 

I don't think Avast is bloated.
I do think though you merely ended up with a bad upgrade from the older version.
I almost always remove a previous av entirely before installing a new one (unless I'm upgrading non-critical software).
From 4.8 to latest 5 version (as far as Avast goes) there are a lot of differences.

then again, OS-es and configs vary, so that might have influenced the final outcome.

I do agree that numerous antiviruses end up bloated for no good reason, but I must say that Avast (free), Avira (free) and MSE are anything but bloated.

I personally stick with MSE, but that's just me.

 

Just updated to 5.0, so far so good. The Welcome Screen in Windows seems to take significantly longer to appear and log me in, though. Other than that no issues.

 

That's good news!

One small pointer: take advantage of the persistent cache:
avast! blog How to make the Full System Scan 6x faster in 10 days

I'm not at home at the moment so I can't verify if this option also is available on the start up/memory scan what Avast automatically performs at boot.

 

I tried Avast! 5 HE, Avira AP 10 and MSSE.
Each of them impressed me very well. However, with MSSE, some of my programs load slower. So, I switched over to Avast! 5 HE. It works like a charm(Strong and Solid) and no those slow loading problems already.

On top of that, Avast! 5 HE currently have the lowest Resources Consumption if not mistaken. Then, to Avira AP 10 and only MSSE.

 

I officially switched from MSE to Avast. One of my favorite forums sites got redirected to a malware site and their was no warning from MSE. Avast went off like a fire alarm during school hours.

I really liked MSE for it's low resources but man if it can't even warn you about potential trouble there's no sense of using it.

 

I personally roll with MSE - I rarely run into issues, and it's been able to get me out of the one or two jams I've had.

 

Have yet encountered any issues with MSE, slowing system down or blocking threats. Unless Microsoft makes a mistake, this is what I am/will be staying with for a long time.

cheers ...

 

MSE could not block this redirect Warning removing the underscores and clicking on the link will attempt a redirect and install scareware ( http://w_ww1.fire_savez5.c_om)

Avast was able to block the threat but MSE was oblivious to both the redirect and scareware attempt.

 

Did MSE let the malware to download and install? This is what counts.
Avast 5 suspended my download once in it's attempt to block an infected website. Avast 5 resets the network connection without any warning.
The webpage you had linked is not even working (after removing underscores).

 

Yup !

That address may have been blocked by now. http://www.wpsecuritylock.com/breaking-news-wordpress-hacked-with-zettapetta-on-dreamhost/

Btw did you remove all the underscores because Avast still detects the website as Malicious and aborts the connection.

 

Don't forget that the key to good security is a layered defense. It is never wise to rely too much on any single program. Antivirus will always have that inherent weakness of signatures (no zero day protection) although some have sandbox / behavior monitors which are an exception. If your antivirus does not prevent something then your secondary layer of protection should.

For example, some time ago a website used an exploit to attempt to run an e.exe on my system but one of my behaviour monitors caught it. A few weeks later that same e.exe file had been entered into the known spyware / virus databases.

 

Panda Pro 2010 denied access to those sites also just as another data point.