What exactly does Avast protect you from?

By | August 5, 2014
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We worked on a computer a couple of weeks ago, but trust us, what you’re about to see is not an exception, it is the rule. This person was using the full version of Avast Internet Security and her computer was riddled with malware of all kinds.

&n Our question is: What exactly does Avast protect its users from? Avast has a myriad of guards and features, yet this Avast-protected computer was so full of malware it barely ran. This user kept her Avast updated and it was using the current version.

Our question to Avast is: What exactly does your program protect users from?

Here is a image of the document we generated after running a malware scan on this computer. Please click here or on the image below to see the entire list. It’s amazing.

Cloudeight InfoAve

We realize Avast still offers a free version, but if the full, paid version allows this much malware to be installed on a computer, can you expect better protection from the free version?

What exactly is Avast protecting its users from? It claims to be an antivirus, antimalware, antispyware, and much more. How can it make these claims to its users and allow something like you can see here to happen?

Avast might offer a free version but is it worth the price you’ll pay?

10 thoughts on “What exactly does Avast protect you from?

    1. Darcy (Eightball) Post author

      We run numerous programs for our searches, such as ADW, RKiller, JRT, Rogue Killer and autoruns. We also do manual scans of files, folders and registry.

      Darcy

      Reply
  1. Joan Batchelor

    I haven’t kept up with Cloud8 since receiving some false info but Cloud8 used to swear by Avast. What happened??? I had it for years but now have TrendMicro. Is it safe?

    Reply
    1. Darcy (Eightball) Post author

      As we have done for 15 years – if a product no longer preforms as expected, we stop recommending it. We have not recommended Avast for several years. We do a lot of testing and at this time, we recommend Emsisoft – and Emsisoft is time and time again one of the highest rated by AVComparatives and other independent testing labs.

      Here is some more info on AVCompartatives:
      The well-known antivirus testing organization AV-Comparatives conducted a series of 4 Real-World Protection tests in the first half of 2014.

      In this marathon, Emsisoft Anti-Malware blocked 3,998 out of 4,003 test cases. Only 5 malware samples were not properly blocked. At 99.9%, this was the best detection rate amongst all participants.

      * In 17 test cases, Emsisoft Anti-Malware showed an alert window that let the user decide whether to block or allow (while the recommended action was always block). AVC deducts points in cases where user interaction is required, and it is for this reason alone that we ranked #4 in the total results – even with the highest malware detection rate in the testing.

      * Emsisoft Anti-Malware competed as one of the only non-Internet Security Suite offerings. That means we provided some of the best protection in testing with the fewest computing resources at our disposal.

      About AV-Comparatives

      AV-Comparatives is an independent not-for-profit organization offering systematic testing that checks whether security software, such as PC/Mac/Android-based antivirus products and mobile security solutions, lives up to its promises. Using one of the largest sample collections worldwide, it creates a real-world environment for truly accurate testing. AV-Comparatives offers freely accessible results to individuals, news organizations and scientific institutions. Certification by AV-Comparatives provides an official seal of approval for software performance which is globally recognized.

      Full March-June 2014 Whole Product Dynamic Real World Protection Test results available here: http://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/ .

      Darcy

      Reply
  2. Joan Batchelor

    I filled out the red asterisk fields. What is the problem?

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      Even the worst anti-virus protects you from viruses — viruses are not the biggest problem you face. We have worked on over 2000 computers with Cloudeight Direct – we’ve found malware on over 85% of them and viruses on less than 1%. Malware is the biggest cause of computer problems — without a doubt. We haven’t seen enough computers with Kaspersky on them to make a judgment.

      Reply
  3. Muriel.S

    Whether it’s free or paid for, this kind of performance from a program designed and advertised to “protect” is nothing less than fraudulent. The producers and sellers of this product, and others like it, know exactly what they are doing and are predators in my opinion, conducting and perpetrating DELIBERATE fraud, funded by their acceptance of bribes and innocent people who still believe and trust their propaganda. I used to use Avast many many years ago when it was a good program and gained a reputation it has not deserved for many years.

    Reply
  4. Bigart

    This person should stop clicking one all the advertising items that come up saying they can make her computer better! They have a snowball effect on adding more and more junk.

    Reply

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