![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2014\/avast.png\")
Avast doesn’t even come close to living up to its promise of protecting its users from malware.<\/h1>\nAvast doesn’t even come close to living up to its promise of protecting its users from malware.<\/h1>\nAt one time we recommended Avast, but we stopped recommending them two years ago when Avast decided to become a one-size-fits-all security solution \u00a0– a little Norton.<\/p>\n
The truth is that even the worst of the anti-virus bunch does a decent job protecting your computer from viruses. And if all a program claims to be is an anti-virus then the chances are good that it is protecting your computer. But when a program, such as Avast, claims to protect you from all manner of bad stuff including malware, then they had better live up to their promises.<\/p>\n
Avast doesn’t even come close to living up to its promise of protecting its users from malware.<\/p>\n
We recently cited an article about Avast’s forums being hacked. A couple of people drilled us for not focusing more the fact it was just a forum and therefore not remotely related to Avast’s security programs. Facts are facts and the fact is that a Web server is nothing more than a computer, just like most eveyone uses, configured to be used as a Web server. If Avast can’t protect their own servers (computers) how can the protect your computer?<\/p>\n
If a company is going to make claims for their products then those claims need to be substantially true. We do understand that no security program is going to be 100% effective against 100% of all threats, 100% of the time. But it better be ready to stand tall when it comes to its claims. Avast falls flat on many fronts; so flat, in fact, that against the most common malware, the kind of malware you’re most likely to be exposed to, Avast provides little protection or no protection at all.<\/p>\n
Here’s a claim, right from Avast’s site…”Intelligent antivirus, anti-spyware, & anti-malware
\nNot just a marketing phrase! Our DynaGen-powered antivirus streams hundreds of tiny real-time updates to your PC\u2019s virus database each day, to catch new malware faster. Its decisions are based on artificial intelligence that works inside the algorithm responsible for analyzing suspicious files…”<\/p>\n
Bold claim — catches ne malware faster. But what about the most common malware – the type you’re most likely to encounter every day on the Internet?<\/p>\n
Again we say that facts are facts are facts. Here’s a malware scan of a computer running the paid verion of Avast Internet Security –everythining listed below is malware:<\/p>\n
Service Found : CltMngSvc
\nService Found : MyWebSearchService
\nService Found : Update Albrechto
\nService Found : Util Albrechto
\nService Found : Web Assistant<\/p>\n
***** [ Files \/ Folders ] *****<\/p>\n
File Found : C:\\END
\nFile Found : C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\conduitEngine.tmp
\nFile Found : C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\f3PSSavr.scr
\nFolder Found : C:\\DOCUME~1\\Owner\\LOCALS~1\\Temp\\apn
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Application Data\\apn
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Application Data\\speedypc software
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Application Data\\Viewpoint
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Application Data\\DriverCure
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Application Data\\iWin
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Application Data\\PriceGong
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Application Data\\registry mechanic
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Application Data\\speedypc software
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Application Data\\Uniblue
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Local Settings\\Application Data\\AskToolbar
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Local Settings\\Application Data\\Conduit
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Local Settings\\Application Data\\IncrediMail_MediaBar_2
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Local Settings\\Application Data\\PackageAware
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Local Settings\\Application Data\\SearchProtect
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Local Settings\\Application Data\\TidyNetwork
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\Local Settings\\Application Data\\visi_coupon
\nFolder Found : C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\My Documents\\Optimizer Pro
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\albrechto
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\Ask.com
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\Conduit
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\driver-soft
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\Free Offers from Freeze.com
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\Freeze.com
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\FunWebProducts
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\IncrediMail_MediaBar_2
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\MyWebSearch
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\registry mechanic
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\Search Toolbar
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\SearchProtect
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\SelectRebates
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\TidyNetwork
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\Uniblue
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\Viewpoint
\nFolder Found : C:\\Program Files\\Web Assistant<\/p>\n
***** [ Shortcuts ] *****
\n***** [ Registry ] *****<\/p>\n
Data Found : HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Windows [AppInit_DLLs] – C:\\PROGRA~1\\SearchProtect\\SearchProtect\\bin\\SPVC32Loader.dll
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\APN PIP
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\AppDataLow\\{1146AC44-2F03-4431-B4FD-889BC837521F}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\AppDataLow\\AskToolbarInfo
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\AppDataLow\\Software
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\AppDataLow\\Software\\IncrediMail_MediaBar_2
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Ask.com
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\AskToolbar
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Babylon
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Conduit
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\ConduitSearchScopes
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Crossrider
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Fun Web Products
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\FunWebProducts
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\IM
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\ImInstaller
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Internet Explorer\\SearchScopes\\{014DB5FA-EAFB-4592-A95B-F44D3EE87FA9}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Internet Explorer\\SearchScopes\\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40B7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Internet Explorer\\SearchScopes\\{56256A51-B582-467E-B8D4-7786EDA79AE0}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Internet Explorer\\SearchScopes\\{CFF4DB9B-135F-47C0-9269-B4C6572FD61A}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{00000000-6E41-4FD3-8538-502F5495E5FC}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{00A6FAF1-072E-44CF-8957-5838F569A31D}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{00A6FAF6-072E-44CF-8957-5838F569A31D}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{07B18EA1-A523-4961-B6BB-170DE4475CCA}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{07B18EA9-A523-4961-B6BB-170DE4475CCA}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{21608B66-026F-4DCB-9244-0DACA328DCED}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{336D0C35-8A85-403A-B9D2-65C292C39087}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{74CC49F7-EB32-4A08-B204-948962A6E3DB}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{98279C38-DE4B-4BCF-93C9-8EC26069D6F4}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{9D425283-D487-4337-BAB6-AB8354A81457}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{A7A6995D-6EE1-4FD1-A258-49395D5BF99C}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{D8278076-BC68-4484-9233-6E7F1628B56C}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{E8DAAA30-6CAA-4B58-9603-8E54238219E2}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{EBD24BD3-E272-4FA3-A8BA-C5D709757CAB}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Settings\\{EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{00000000-6E41-4FD3-8538-502F5495E5FC}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{00A6FAF1-072E-44CF-8957-5838F569A31D}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{00A6FAF6-072E-44CF-8957-5838F569A31D}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{07B18EA1-A523-4961-B6BB-170DE4475CCA}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{07B18EA9-A523-4961-B6BB-170DE4475CCA}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{1881A451-F7FB-44BC-85B2-FCEA4B1403E3}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{21608B66-026F-4DCB-9244-0DACA328DCED}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{336D0C35-8A85-403A-B9D2-65C292C39087}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{74CC49F7-EB32-4A08-B204-948962A6E3DB}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{98279C38-DE4B-4BCF-93C9-8EC26069D6F4}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{9D425283-D487-4337-BAB6-AB8354A81457}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{A7A6995D-6EE1-4FD1-A258-49395D5BF99C}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{D8278076-BC68-4484-9233-6E7F1628B56C}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{DEDAF650-12B8-48F5-A843-BBA100716106}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{E8DAAA30-6CAA-4B58-9603-8E54238219E2}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{EBD24BD3-E272-4FA3-A8BA-C5D709757CAB}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Ext\\Stats\\{EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88}
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\MyWebSearch
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\ParetoLogic
\nKey Found : HKCU\\Software\\PriceGong
\nKey Found : HKCU\\<\/p>\n
We are not picking on Avast, but we are certainly going to make sure you know the truth. We have found computers running McAfee, Norton, Trend Micro and other suites loaded with malware too.<\/p>\n
If Avast is going to make claims about protect users from malware, then they better stand ready to prove it – not in some arcane antivirus tests proving that it can protect computers from viruses — even the worst of the antiviruses can do that. We’d like to have Avast prove its claim that it protects its users from malware — the kind almost all computer users are exposed to everyday — like Conduit, Price Gong, SearchProtect, MyWebSearch, Tidy Network, Freeze, and the others we found on a computer protected by Avast.<\/p>\n
Malware is the scourge of the Internet – and your 100 times more likely to encounter malware than you are a virus. Malware can and does slow computers down. ruin Web browsers, and cause damage to Windows computers.<\/p>\n
If you’re using Avast you should be aware of the fact that despite its claims to the contrary, Avast provides little or no protection from the kinds of malware you’re most likely to be exposed to, every single day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Avast doesn’t even come close to living up to its promise of protecting its users from malware. At one time we recommended Avast, but we stopped recommending them two years ago when Avast decided to become a one-size-fits-all security solution \u00a0– a little Norton. The truth is that even the worst of the anti-virus bunch does a decent\u2026 Read More »<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1433,1669,1670,1656,1654],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7672"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7672"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7672\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7675,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7672\/revisions\/7675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}