Latest version of Avast Antivirus

we have just released a new pre-released build of avast, version number 5.1.884. This build is supposed to solve the remaining issues that were not fixed by the previous pre-release version 5.1.874.

We expect this to be a very short beta test before the update is finally pushed out to everyone (maybe less than 24 hours).

So, if you're having any kind of issues with the current release build 5.1.864 or 5.1.874, we recommend trying this one -- hopefully, it will solve your problem.

Fixes, compared to the previous pre-release build 5.1.874, include:
- solved a compatibility problem with CorelDraw X5
- solved a problem inserting a license file in the installation wizard

Your feedback is appreciated.

I'm glad to announce the general availability of a new avast program update, version number 5.1.889.

Compared to the previous version, the most notable improvements are:
- solved a compatibility problem with CorelDraw X5
- solved a compatibility problem with Acer control software
- solved a problem inserting a license file via the installation wizard
- solved a compatibility problem with some Dell wireless network adapter drivers
- solved a compatibility problem with Game Guard (used by a number of games)
- solved a compatibility problem with Sibelius
- solved various 0xC0000005 and 0xC000007B errors (e.g. with some .NET applications)
- issues related to upgrades from v5.0 (inactive shields, missing right-click associations, missing 64-bit boot-time scanner etc)
- solved some possible deadlock conditions (relatively rare but possible)
- performance related improvements
- various UI related improvements

As usual, I'd also like to take this opportunity and thank all our beta-testers.


BTW it takes up to a few days for download.com (and other local download servers) to update their bits. If you want to download the full installer now, use the following direct links:

we'll soon be releasing a new version of avast - the long-awaited version 6.0. As usual, we're making the new version available for public testing before it's officially released.

This is the first beta build of v6 - please treat it as such.


How to install it
Just run the setup executable (links above). This version needs to be installed from scratch, i.e. updating from a previous version of avast won't work. This will be fixed relatively soon - however, for now, the only option is to really uninstall the version you're using (if any), reboot, and install this beta.

Also, if you have already used a previous beta of the standalone WebRep, it's better to uninstall it before installing avast 6.

What's new
Main changes/improvements:
- AutoSandbox – suspicious programs will be optionally run sandboxed
- avast! WebRep – browser plugin for website reputation rating; a combination of data from our virus lab and community voting
- Script Shield now even in the Free AV
- Site Blocking now even in the Free AV
- SafeZone – a special virtualized area for sensitive transactions (e.g. secure online banking) (paid products only)
- Restore factory settings command (Settings -> Troubleshooting)
- Automatic actions in the boot-time scan
- New compression method in the installer makes the setup packages about 20% smaller.
- Script Shield now functional even with IE8/IE9 Protected Mode
- Sidebar gadget
- Improved stability/compatibility of the Behavior Shield
- Improvements in the avast! sandbox

Known issues
- Help files not updated yet
- Localizations incomplete yet
- SafeZone not yet accessible (Pro AV / IS only)
- WebRep only available for IE and Firefox (Chrome is coming soon)
- Firewall: per-application packet rules not yet accessible
- Firewall: uTorrent conflict not yet resolved

The beta has now been updated to build 6.0.945.

How to install it
Just run the setup executable (links above). This version needs to be installed from scratch, i.e. updating from a previous version of avast won't work. This will be fixed relatively soon - however, for now, the only option is to really uninstall the version you're using (if any), reboot, and install this beta.

The only exception is if are already running a previous build of avast 6, you can use the built-in program updater then.

What's new
Main changes/improvements:
- AutoSandbox – suspicious programs will be optionally run sandboxed
- avast! WebRep – browser plugin for website reputation rating; a combination of data from our virus lab and community voting
- Script Shield now even in the Free AV
- Site Blocking now even in the Free AV
- SafeZone – a special virtualized area for sensitive transactions (e.g. secure online banking) (paid products only)
- Restore factory settings command (Settings -> Troubleshooting)
- Automatic actions in the boot-time scan
- New compression method in the installer makes the setup packages about 20% smaller.
- Script Shield now functional even with IE8/IE9 Protected Mode
- Sidebar gadget
- Improved stability/compatibility of the Behavior Shield
- Improvements in the avast! sandbox

Known issues
- Help files not updated yet
- Localizations incomplete yet
- SafeZone not yet accessible (Pro AV / IS only)
- WebRep only available for IE and Firefox (Chrome is coming soon)
- Firewall: per-application packet rules not yet accessible
- Firewall: uTorrent conflict not yet resolved



And new in v6.0.945
- fixed a bug in the AutoSandbox decision logic
- improved installation of the Firefox WebRep plugin
- fixed the transient cache in File System Shield
- improved installation of the VC redistributable packages
- some improvements in the Sidebar gadget (cosmetic issues still to be solved)
- fixed a bug in the Autosandbox/FS Shield settings
- more stability improvements in the sandbox and behavior shield

How to install it
Just run the setup executable (links above). This version can be installed on top of your existing avast installation (4.x/5.x/6.x). Also if you are already running a previous build of avast 6, you can use the built-in program updater.

What's new in avast 6
Main changes/improvements:
- AutoSandbox – suspicious programs will be optionally run sandboxed
- avast! WebRep – browser plugin for website reputation rating; a combination of data from our virus lab and community voting
- Script Shield now even in the Free AV
- Site Blocking now even in the Free AV
- SafeZone – a special virtualized area for sensitive transactions (e.g. secure online banking) (paid products only)
- Restore factory settings command (Settings -> Troubleshooting)
- Automatic actions in the boot-time scan
- New compression method in the installer makes the setup packages about 20% smaller.
- Script Shield now functional even with IE8/IE9 Protected Mode
- Sidebar gadget
- Improved stability/compatibility of the Behavior Shield
- Improvements in the avast! sandbox

What's new in this beta:
pretty much all the bugs from the previous beta builds should be solved now, with the following exceptions:
- Firewall: uTorrent conflict not yet fully resolved
- Firewall: packet rules for applications still don't support ASK and AUTO-DECIDE actions properly.
- Incorrect context-menu handling in SafeZone
- Other small visual issues in SafeZone


Note: WebRep is currently available only for IE and Firefox (Chrome is coming soon).