32 replies to this topic

[Sockdown]

So, the AntiVir update changed:

(1)Raised scan speed
(2)Redesigned visual appearance

Seen the new look?

[Andavari]

A screenshot would be appreciated.

[Sockdown]

Basically, the banner and some buttons changed.

Attached Files

•  AntiVirGUI.PNG   41.09K   25 downloads

[hazelnut]

Still trying to get the update. Obviously it's a bit slow with the strain on the servers.

My last attempt failed at 51%

[Anthony A]

I like the clean look of the GUI. I also read good things about the detection rates with it. The only negative I read about is definition update problems. If AVG's update, when it comes for the free version, messes up I will be switching to Antvir.

[hazelnut]

Got the update installed now, as you say Anthony it's a slick clean looking gui.

Personally I have never had much of an avira update problem (cannot really count this one as it's an upgrade)


When I turn on my pc in the morning, I manually update, it's a habit now, and in the morning it's usually a quiet time for the servers.

[Andavari]

I'm trying it out at the moment and must say I like the new design.

Now if only they could get some more speedy update servers because waiting so long for it to even start downloading is ridiculous, although I've seen it take longer in the past 10, 12 minutes, etc.

[Anthony A]

Andavari, on Apr 15 2008, 02:41 PM, said:

I'm trying it out at the moment and must say I like the new design.

Now if only they could get some more speedy update servers because waiting so long for it to even start downloading is ridiculous, although I've seen it take longer in the past 10, 12 minutes, etc.

Are you referring to definition updates?

The app received a decent review here http://www.download....9919454-12.html

[Andavari]

Anthony A, on Apr 15 2008, 02:55 PM, said:

Are you referring to definition updates?

The app received a decent review here http://www.download....9919454-12.html

To clarify:
It takes several minutes before it even finds a server to check if the current defs installed. The actual downloading process isn't slow.

The AntiVir Notifier ad can't be easily disabled in version 8 because blocking avnotify.exe in 'Administrative Tools->Local Security Policy' doesn't work, so I'm going to try some other things the next few days to see if I can block it. If I can't block it I'll be removing AntiVir.

[Anthony A]

Andavari, on Apr 16 2008, 09:49 AM, said:

To clarify:
It takes several minutes before it even finds a server to check if the current defs installed. The actual downloading process isn't slow.

The AntiVir Notifier ad can't be easily disabled in version 8 because blocking avnotify.exe in 'Administrative Tools->Local Security Policy' doesn't work, so I'm going to try some other things the next few days to see if I can block it. If I can't block it I'll be removing AntiVir.

Is the Notifier ad a pop up or just a banner or what is it? Never used Avira Antvir before.

[hazelnut]

Andavari, on Apr 16 2008, 01:49 PM, said:

To clarify:
It takes several minutes before it even finds a server to check if the current defs installed. The actual downloading process isn't slow.

The AntiVir Notifier ad can't be easily disabled in version 8 because blocking avnotify.exe in 'Administrative Tools->Local Security Policy' doesn't work, so I'm going to try some other things the next few days to see if I can block it. If I can't block it I'll be removing AntiVir.

I updated through the program itself to the new version. I had the notifier blocked for version 7 and it must still be blocked as I haven't seen it.

[Sockdown]

hazelnut, on Apr 17 2008, 05:43 AM, said:

I updated through the program itself to the new version. I had the notifier blocked for version 7 and it must still be blocked as I haven't seen it.

I also updated through the program which was a very nice thing. As for the pop up, since I did a full scan a few hours ago, having more files than last week(Installed a few applications), even with that, the scan was like 8-10% faster than last version, so I don't mind it at all. It makes me want the umbrella lol! hahaha. Kidding. But, being free, to promote the premium version would be the logical thing since, to build an application, takes a lot of time and money. And well, it's just during the updates. Also, I think that you can block avnotify.exe with your firewall or do a manual update and download the files on the website to avoid the notify. Never done either of them, but I might try the firewall one next time to see if it works. I use Online Armor. Just, ignore the thing, close it as soon as it comes on or, think it's the first time you seen it and say: "Wow, there's a premium version too!". lol. Kidding.

[Andavari]

Sockdown, on Apr 17 2008, 03:09 AM, said:

But, being free, to promote the premium version would be the logical thing since, to build an application, takes a lot of time and money. And well, it's just during the updates.

I don't mind people promoting their commercial software in their freeware, such as how DeepBurner Free and AVG Free do with a simple picture to upgrade because that isn't popping open s**t all on its own. Instead with AntiVir you have to interact with the ad by manually closing the window - I guess I'm just spoiled by open source and freeware that isn't trying to sell me something every damn day.

Just being during updates is a yes, but what if it won't update at all because it can't find an update server and just keeps jumping from one server to another, then what? I've personally never seen a software title open source, free, or paid that had such a difficult time contacting it's own servers. If it won't update it's needlessly consuming disk space and needs to be replaced with a competent rival.

Anyways it really doesn't matter to me at this point because I'm using Avast again.

[Sockdown]

Andavari, on Apr 17 2008, 07:05 PM, said:

I don't mind people promoting their commercial software in their freeware, such as how DeepBurner Free and AVG Free do with a simple picture to upgrade because that isn't popping open s**t all on its own. Instead with AntiVir you have to interact with the ad by manually closing the window - I guess I'm just spoiled by open source and freeware that isn't trying to sell me something every damn day.

Just being during updates is a yes, but what if it won't update at all because it can't find an update server and just keeps jumping from one server to another, then what? I've personally never seen a software title open source, free, or paid that had such a difficult time contacting it's own servers. If it won't update it's needlessly consuming disk space and needs to be replaced with a competent rival.

Anyways it really doesn't matter to me at this point because I'm using Avast again.

No disrespect intended Andavari. I was just saying it in a kind of funny way. I have used AVG, Avast! and AntiVir too. Yes, the updates are kind of slow sometimes, but, well, they use the better servers for the premium version which make a lot of sense. In the software business, if you have a company, to survive, you need to generate money. So’, in order for them to do that, they have to limit the free version in some ways to make you buy the full version. Anyway, my bad, I wasn’t trying to make an argument or something. By the way Andavari, since you’re using Avast! now, did they change the ugly radio kind of like interface? And second, has the scan speed increased? When I used to have Avast!, the scan was out of this world slow. Just curious cause it’s been a while since that time.

[Andavari]

Sockdown, on Apr 17 2008, 02:15 PM, said:

By the way Andavari, since you’re using Avast! now, did they change the ugly radio kind of like interface? And second, has the scan speed increased? When I used to have Avast!, the scan was out of this world slow. Just curious cause it’s been a while since that time.

I wasn't arguing with you and I realize you weren't with me either.

The ugly radio interface that looks like a media player is still in there by default if you install the skins during setup. It can however be completely disabled either during setup, or after setup if it's installed in the settings. I prefer the simple user interface myself, which is why I disabled the installation of skins.

The scan speed has increased on my system. The last time I used Avast before it had anti-spyware, and anti-rootkit it would scan my system in 25 minutes - that's with exclusions to some 7z and CAB archives, FLAC, MP3, OGG, AVI, etc., that will never change on my system. With the newest version it takes 45 minutes to do a scan with the same exclusions, of course it would take significantly longer without those exclusions in place.

I don't mind the longer scan time though because it's checking for all sorts of baddies; viruses, spyware, and rootkits all-in-one scan. I do however think Avast spends way too long scanning media files like MP3, AVI, etc., but what do I know "maybe they have a reason for that where others are failing."

[Anthony A]

Andavari, on Apr 17 2008, 03:05 PM, said:

Just being during updates is a yes, but what if it won't update at all because it can't find an update server and just keeps jumping from one server to another, then what? I've personally never seen a software title open source, free, or paid that had such a difficult time contacting it's own servers. If it won't update it's needlessly consuming disk space and needs to be replaced with a competent rival.

These are the update problems I hear so much about with Antivir.

[Anthony A]

Andavari, on Apr 17 2008, 03:05 PM, said:

I don't mind people promoting their commercial software in their freeware, such as how DeepBurner Free and AVG Free do with a simple picture to upgrade because that isn't popping open s**t all on its own. Instead with AntiVir you have to interact with the ad by manually closing the window - I guess I'm just spoiled by open source and freeware that isn't trying to sell me something every damn day.

Well AVG is getting into the act of pop up windows. Just got another one from them. This time it was not a browser window like last time. This time it's a pop up window from AVG.

[Andavari]

Anthony A, on Apr 17 2008, 07:18 PM, said:

Well AVG is getting into the act of pop up windows. Just got another one from them. This time it was not a browser window like last time. This time it's a pop up window from AVG.

Maybe try this, I noticed it recommended in a post on Wilders Security and will be giving it a try with a few other Windows programs that annoy the hell out of me:
NagScreenKiller (Freeware):
close up-popping windows automatically.

[davey]

Andavari, on Apr 18 2008, 11:16 PM, said:

Maybe try this, I noticed it recommended in a post on Wilders Security and will be giving it a try with a few other Windows programs that annoy the hell out of me:
NagScreenKiller (Freeware):
close up-popping windows automatically.

Yes,that last "update" was more of a Re-install than an update.
First pop-up I ever got from them in months.Click on the little red-x it's gone.
Thanks for the nagkiller.Just in case.
davey
P.S. Oh,no!!! What if it's a pop-up I want to review for specific explicit content like porn ?

[CeeCee]

Avast is all i need.