Latest version of Avast Antivirus

[Brink]

Thank you Aaron. First post updated.

 

[mitchell64]

BETA 5.1.803 is available (i had problems with de selecting additional languages and shields i did not want with custom install, but got there in the end.)

If you're already running a previous v5.1 beta, you can go to this build by simply invoking the Program Update feature from within the avast! UI.

** INTRODUCING: BETA VERSION OF AVAST 5.1 [NOW 5.1.803] **

 

[Brink]

Thank you Darryl. First post updated.

 

[Airbot]

December 10, 2010

5.1.807 Beta refresh.

   Information

Things that should be fixed (compared to the last beta):
- 3rd party apps crashing on startup (e.g. OA, ATI Catalyst etc)
- broken sandbox
- other Behavior Shield related issues
- broken Firewall Ask dialog
- messed up screen-saver settings
- high CPU usage of AvastSvc.exe during download of large EXE files
- report file of the Behavior Shield
- slow start of the avast service on _most_ computers
- Network Shield sometimes not starting (and staying with Protection Status: Unknown)
- Network Lock UI problem

Still not fixed:
- Repair command (in Add/Remove Programs)
- still known compatiblity problems with a few apps
- the Secunia Psi thing discussed here (not really our fault)
- some performance related things

If you're using 5.1.803, I'd recommend updating to 5.1.807 because 5.1.803 was pretty messed up.

 

[Brink]

Thank you Aaron. First post updated.

 

[Airbot]

5.1.822 Beta available.

New beta refresh 5.1.822

 

[Brink]

Thank you Aaron. First post updated.

 

[Airbot]

December 20, 2010

5.1.835 Beta available.

   Information

we have just released another avast beta refresh (build number 5.1.835). Hopefully, it will be the last one before the official release (so it's sort of a "release candidate").

We tried to solve all known issues there (including the AIS BSOD when uninstalling Opera 11 and other new problems introduced in the previous beta builds).

New beta refresh 5.1.835

 

[Brink]

Thank you Aaron. First post updated.

 

[Airbot]

December 26, 2010

Beta 5.1.849 available.

we have just released another avast beta refresh (build number 5.1.849). Compared to the previous beta build (5.1.845), it's supposed to fix two or three major issues:

- the 0xC0000005 (or even 0xC000007B) error while trying to execute certain applications (e.g. those compiled with some versions of Borland C++)

- the looping registration screen

- and hopefully, also the hard OS freezes some people were experiencing during scans (this was related to MBR rootkit scanning) -- it is still unclear whether this problem is now solved or not as we can't simulate it here; anyone who was experiencing this issue with the previous beta is kindly asked to try this new version and report back if it made any difference.

ANOTHER ONE! Beta refresh 5.1.849

 

[Brink]

Thank you Aaron. First post updated.

 

[Airbot]

Beta 5.1.857 available.

   Information

we have just released another avast beta refresh (build number 5.1.857). Compared to the previous beta build (5.1.849), it's supposed to solve these issues:

- system lockups, especially after the avast service crashes
- intermittent boots in Windows Classic theme, with some servicing failing to start
- crashing of the registration screen
- other stability issues related to the Behavior Shield
- high CPU usage e.g. when disconnecting a network

Furthermore, this version contains extensive logging inside the webshield module which was designed to help us track down the remaining crash conditions of the AvastSvc.exe process. This can cause some extra slowdowns while browsing (hopefully not too noticeable though). We are explicitly looking for people for whom this new build crashes (i.e. AvastSvc.exe crashes/disappears) -- sending us the contents of the avast log folder would then be very helpful.

One thing that is probably not fixed is the issue described by Sparxx here -- Multiple problems with build 5.1.849 -- this is most likely related to the antirootkit scan (possibly a conflict between our new MBR rootkit detection algorithm and the Windows 7 BitLocker feature).


As always, your feedback is very appreciated.

YET ANOTHER Beta refresh [5.1.857]

 

[Brink]

Thank you Aaron. First post updated.

 

[Airbot]

5.1.861 Beta available.

   Information

Hi again,

we have just released yet another avast beta refresh (build number 5.1.861). Compared to the previous beta build (5.1.857), it's supposed to solve these issues:

- the Behavior Shield related issues (typically on 64-bit OSes)
- HTTP pipelining support in Web Shield (Opera users will appreciate this)
- a possible race condition in aswSP.sys that could lead to a system hang
- an Outlook antispam plugin problem
- removed limit on the number sites in the Site Blocking feature (AIS)

To me, this build feels like it's in a really good shape and I wouldn't hesitate calling it a "release candidate". Our plan was to release v5.1 before the end of the year, so we still have some 27 hours to make this happen...

hopefully, if you guys confirm that this beta works OK, it will go live tomorrow as an official update.

The only thing that we know is not fixed is the issue described by Sparxx here -- Multiple problems with build 5.1.861 -- this is most likely related to the antirootkit scan. But this can be solved by a subsequent VPS update (as the antirootkit engine is located in the VPS).

** NEW (FINAL?) BETA REFRESH 5.1.861 IS HERE **

 

[Brink]

Thank you Aaron. First post updated.

 

[Airbot]

December 31, 2010


5.1.864 Released. Final (non beta) version.

   Information

I'm glad to announce the general availability of avast 5.1. After almost a month-long beta testing marathon (and 3 beta refreshes just in the last 24 hours), I sincerely hope this new version will serve you will. Even though avast 6.0, equipped with even more features, is coming relatively soon, still is a very important update for us. Most of the new stuff is hidden under the hood.

The most notable improvements are:
- boot-time scanner now available even in 64-bit Windows
- big improvements in the Behavior Shield
- improvements in the antirootkit engine
- improvements in the cleaning module
- stability/performance improvements in the Web Shield
- CommunityIQ improvements
- added support for sound packs
- minor improvements in the user interface
- minor fixes in the firewall

I'd also like to take this opportunity and thank all our beta-testers for a job well done. Without you, we couldn't make this happen.


BTW it takes 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:

INTRODUCING: New avast program update 5.1.864

 

[Brink]

Thank you Aaron. First post updated.

 

[Dave76]

Thanks for posting the new version

 

[mitchell64]

Thank you for keeping us posted Airbot, having suffered incident with this during beta testing there seems to be a lot of confusion about the introduction of Behavior Shield settings in the wider www communities.

I found a post by DavidR a senior member at Avast Forums that explains this introduction very well, but in keeping with our forum rules in regard to the posting of links to other tech sites i have posted a screenshot of his post.

I do hope it is readable if not maybe with the permission of Admin i can post a link to the thread at Avast Forums?

EDIT; if you click on the picture to enlarge it i can easily read it on my laptop so it should be OK

Link to thread added below

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=68568.0


View attachment 128326

 

[Airbot]

I can see the pic but there's no problem in posting the link.