Version history for Avast Free Antivirus
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Changes for v12.2.2276 - v12.3.2279
- New:
- Passive mode - new compatibility mode, which should solve compatibility issues, when Avast is being installed on a pc, where other AV is installed (and registred to WSC), Most of the shields are turned off, Avast should be updatable.
- Added SafeZone browser, Security browser extension and SafePrice extension to Settings->Components for better management
- Fixed:
- + BSOD for Skylake processor running Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- + Randomly opening Avast UI bug
- + SafePrice browser extension component is not installed during update when Browser extension was not installed in the previous version
- + Compatibility problems with PICO(Bash) processes on Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- + Incorrectly displaying firewall network profile notification
- + Avast is correctly recognized in Windows Security Center after upgrade to Windows Anniversary Update
- + Showing all passwords as reused in passwords list
Changes for 2015 (10.0.2208) - 2015 R2 (10.2.2214)
- Improved Windows 10 Compatibility
- Browser Cleanup integrated to Avast UI and added to Smart Scan
- WebShield improvements for faster browsing and fixed issues with expired certificates
- Avast NG virtualization – performance and stability fixes
- AccessAnywhere feature is removed and replaced with remote connection feature available through Account screen in all editions (not limited to Premier)
- New design of Chrome plugin
- Better license activation during setup
Changes for 2015 (10.0.2206) - 2015 (10.0.2208)
- * Fixed problem with missing NG component under certain circumstances
- * Fixed a bug in the keyboard driver causing problems with keyboards
- * Better compatibility of the WebShield with some https pages (e.g. spotify, waze, etc.)
- * SecureDNS - better logic of server selection resulting in performance improvements
- * Fixed reported crashes
Changes for 2014.9.0.2016 - v9.0.2018
- Stream Filtering -- fixed stability and compatibility issues, it's running smooth and fast now, so no more browsing problems :-)
- Firewall -- the firewall should be more stable and with better compatibility with other network applications. we spent a lot time analyzing various dumps you provided to us to increase
- your confidence level
- Android protection - we can protect (if you wish) your Android phones and tablets with avast! Free Mobile Security (through your active Google Account) automatically (during the installation or update)
- A lot of fixed issues
Changes for 2014 RC2 - 2014 RC3
- IE browser plugin is now fully working
- Fixed BSOD in FW module
- Fixed GUI crashes
- GUI tuning (other languages, visual glitches)
Changes for 2014 Beta 2 (build 9.0.2001) - 2014 RC1
- FW sometimes blocked downloading of files
- WebShield is now fully IPv6 compatible
- ARA was not fully compatible with previous versions of avast
- UI statistics page was redesigned
- Disabling of the Web Shield is now working fine
- RescueDisk tuning (GUI & usability)
Changes for 2014 BETA1 (build 9.0.2000) - 2014 Beta 2 (build 9.0.2001)
- Fixed issues:
- •problems with sandboxing on win XP
- •boottime scan schedulling problems
- •sometimes after sfx upgrade product requires manual license activation
- •FW random BSODes
- •minor issues with account registration
- •GUI glitches
- •FW stability
- •Network protection component tuning and compatibility (Win8 ) - no more Tdi technology
- •Windows 8.1 compatibility
- •Smooth updates of VPS + program
- •Updated the SafeZone browser
Changes for v8.0.1489.300 - 2014 Beta 1 (build 9.0.2000)
- Protection-related features and improvements
- New DeepScreen technology allows avast! to make more intelligent decisions about new/unknown files. DeepScreen is a successor of AutoSandbox, now upgraded with some additional new technologies such as dynamic binary translation and dyna-gen announced earlier.
- New Hardened mode for stricter lockdown scenarios. This is a new mode that is recommended especially for novice users (such as your grandmas): it automatically blocks execution of binaries that would normally be deepscreened (Moderate level) or even allows only execution of programs that are well-known to FileRep (Aggressive level). In a way, it brings the whitelisting concept to the consumer AV space.
- Improved cloud scanning features and crowdsourced analysis of suspicious items. This includes new, optimized mechanism for collecting data from our sensors.
- Continuously streaming update (CSU) technology for up-to-minute detections. This is not entirely new for v2014, but we now have really buttoned up the whole streaming update infrastructure to allow for reliable, uninterrupted service. We’re currently doing 350-400 updates a day, which equals to one update in roughly every 3.75 minutes, 24x7, 365 days a year. Streaming updates can now also carry more types of definitions than before.
- Improved cleaning of malware. This applies to standard malware as well as rootkits and file infectors.
- Other new features
- All-new web browser plugins featuring comprehensive security ratings, protection against malware, phishing and typosquatting sites and Do-Not-Track (DNT) functionality for improved anonymity on the Internet. The DNT functionality doesn’t rely on the DNT HTTP headers; instead, it uses a proprietary technology that cannot be overridden by the servers.
- All-new SafeZone for more secure online shopping and banking. Users can now switch back and forth between SafeZone and the regular browser with a single click. Also, online banking sites can be automatically opened in the SafeZone.
- Rescue disk - allow users to create a bootable CD or flash disk with Avast on it. Great for cleaning.
- Other improvements
- A new, streamlined user interface for simplified navigation and more user comfort. The new UI is actually much simplified, and it’s probably the biggest change since version 5.0. We have also redefined the shields to the total number of three (File Shield, Web Shield, Mail Shield) and tweaked the action buttons (tiles) on the home page so that they’re now fully configurable.
- Control and manage all protected devices directly from the Avast console. That is, the my.avast.com account is perfectly integrated in the UI to allow for management of all your devices running Avast.
- Dramatic reduction in product size (full installer < 60MB, compared to today’s 120MB) and memory footprint. By default, install is done through a new stub installer though (which has the advantage of always installing the most up-to-date version).
- Faster scanning thanks to optimized scanning engine (raw [in-memory] scans of EXE files are about 2x faster, while scans of text contents (e.g. web pages and scripts) are up to 10x faster).
- Completely rewritten setup/updater that makes the installation and upgrade process faster, easier and more reliable
- Firewall has been redesigned from scratch to allow for better compatibility with latest Windows, better performance and full support for IPv6 (although its UI hasn’t really changed).
- New licensing system allows for much easier management of product licenses. The system relies on activation codes, and these can be added seamlessly by simply clicking a link.
- Various improvement in the Software Updater and Browser Cleanup tool.
Changes for v8.0.1489.300 - v8.0.1497
- Fixed issues related to Win 8 & Win 8.1 (avast! is now fully compatible with these operating systems)
- Fixed issues in virtualization module (including other x64 platform fixes)
- Fixed issues in Script shield
- Outlook plugin fixes
Changes for v8.0.1484 R2 beta - v8.0.1496 R3 beta
- * make Script Shield compatible with the latest browser updates
- * several improvements in approach to virtualization - aswVmm
- * fixes for BSODs on Win 8.1
Changes for v8.0.1483 - v8.0.1484 R2 beta
- SecureLine - is a paid VPN service that both secures and anonymizes your internet connection on public or "open" (unsecured) Wi-Fi. Nobody can see who you are or what you are doing on the internet. Please be patient, this feature will be unblock for your test soon :-)
- Screen readers compatibility
- Software Updater improvements (including a way to turn off Software Update persistently)
- Shredder tool is showing a progress now
- Improved stability & performance
- Fixed glitches in UI
Changes for v8.0.1482 - v8.0.1483
- • Fixed issue with ZoneAlarm
- • Fixed issue with constant CPU frequency
- • Fixed issue with video players
- • Fixed issue with Virtual PC
- • Added some localizations
Changes for v7.0.1456 - v8.0.1482
- * New edition - avast! Premier
- * Software Health module
- * Browser Cleanup tool
- * New User Interface
- * Data Shredder (Premier only)
- * AccessAnywhere (Premier only)
- * Improved Autosandbox/Sandbox technlogy
- * Improved General AV performance and stability
Changes for v8.0 RC 2 - v8.0.1481 RTM
- Fixed issues from previous betas
- - Some online content does not fit or is not translated yet
- - IE WebRep plugin doesn't work
- - AccessAnywhere computer list isn't sometimes refreshed
- - avast! v8 now runs on Win8 too
- - Problems with upgrading v7 to v8 on Win8 related to the network
- - XP performance problem solved
- - Automatic Profile detection in the firewall on Win7 solved
- - No information popup on controlled PC when client is connected via avast! AccessAnywhere
- - List of computers shows offline PCs and also those that don’t have AccessAnywhere activated
- - BSODs & Webshield crashes fixed
- - Problems with Security Center fixed
- - Ad Blocker has now final facelift
- - Stability issues with Outlook plugin solved
- - UI might hang sometimes during connecting to avast! account
- - Problems in data shredder solved
- - After facebook registration setup might crash so reboot is required to start avast! service
- - During softrial gui is not correctly updated
- - Trial period could not be activated (update from v7 to v8)
- - Missing pre-defined scan jobs (update from v7 to v8)
- - Fixed FW installation issues on Win8 (upgrade from v7)
- - New graphics placed
- - Fixed problem with "disappearing GUI" - CreditAlert component
- - Fixed issue with Chrome 25
- - Fixed IE plugin hangs
- - Fixed DHCP issues (unable to obtain IP address)
Changes for v8.0 RC 1 - v8.0 RC 2
- - Some online content does not fit or is not translated yet
- - IE WebRep plugin doesn't work
- - AccessAnywhere computer list isn't sometimes refreshed
- - avast! v8 now runs on Win8 too
- - Problems with upgrading v7 to v8 on Win8 related to the network
- - XP performance problem solved
- - Automatic Profile detection in the firewall on Win7 solved
- - No information popup on controlled PC when client is connected via avast! AccessAnywhere
- - List of computers shows offline PCs and also those that don’t have AccessAnywhere activated
- - BSODs & Webshield crashes fixed
- - Problems with Security Center fixed
- - Ad Blocker has now final facelift
- - Stability issues with Outlook plugin solved
- - UI might hang sometimes during connecting to avast! account
- - Problems in data shredder solved
- - After facebook registration setup might crash so reboot is required to start avast! service
- - During softrial gui is not correctly updated
- - Trial period could not be activated (update from v7 to v8)
- - Missing pre-defined scan jobs (update from v7 to v8)
- - Fixed FW installation issues on Win8 (upgrade from v7)
- - New graphics placed
- Known issues in this version
- - Not yet translated into all languages (please wait for the final release which is coming
Changes for v8.0.1478 Beta - v8.0 RC 1
- - Some online content does not fit or is not translated yet
- - IE WebRep plugin doesn't work
- - AccessAnywhere computer list isn't sometimes refreshed
- - avast! v8 now runs on Win8 too
- - Problems with upgrading v7 to v8 on Win8 related to the network
- - XP performance problem solved
- - Automatic Profile detection in the firewall on Win7 solved
- - No information popup on controlled PC when client is connected via avast! AccessAnywhere
- - List of computers shows offline PCs and also those that don’t have AccessAnywhere activated
- - BSODs & Webshield crashes fixed
- - Problems with Security Center fixed
- - Ad Blocker has now final facelift
- - Stability issues with Outlook plugin solved
- - UI might hang sometimes during connecting to avast! account
- - Problems in data shredder solved
- - After facebook registration setup might crash so reboot is required to start avast! service
- - During softrial gui is not correctly updated
- - Trial period could not be activated (update from v7 to v8)
- - Missing pre-defined scan jobs (update from v7 to v8)
- Known issues in this version
- - Not yet translated into all languages
- - the Ad Blocker installation still need some tune up
Changes for v8.0.1477 Beta - v8.0.1478 Beta
- Fixed issues from previous betas
- - avast! v8 now runs on Win8 too
- - Problems with upgrading v7 to v8 on Win8 related to the network
- - XP performance problem solved
- - Automatic Profile detection in the firewall on Win7 solved
- - No information popup on controlled PC when client is connected via avast! AccessAnywhere
- - List of computers shows offline PCs and also those that don’t have AccessAnywhere activated
- - BSODs & Webshield crashes fixed
- - Problems with Security Center fixed
- - Ad Blocker has now final facelift
- - Stability issues with Outlook plugin solved
- - UI might hang sometimes during connecting to avast! account
- - Problems in data shredder solved
- - After facebook registration setup might crash so reboot is required to start avast! service
- - During softrial gui is not correctly updated
- - Trial period could not be activated (update from v7 to v8)
- - Missing pre-defined scan jobs (update from v7 to v8)
- Known issues in this version
- - avast service does not start on Win 2000
- - Translation to other languages is still not 100%
- - Some online content does not fit or is not translated yet
- - IE WebRep plugin doesn't work
- - AccessAnywhere computer list isn't sometimes refreshed
- - Self defence dialog appears when reinstalling over older builds
Changes for v7.0.1407 - v7.0.1426
- Improved File system speed
- Improved AutoSandbox stability
- Improved AutoSandbox controls
- Improved gadgets
- Compatibility with Win 8 Consumer Preview
- Greater stability of Outlook plugins
- Other security and stability-related improvements
Changes for v7.0.1407 - v7.0.1414 R2 Beta
- Autosandbox BSODs
- - Too much activity of File System Shield
- - UI crashes
- - Show Installation Completed window just once
- - Problem with not running Mail shield
- - Incorrect marking emails as a SPAM
- - Slowdown of system after fresh installation
- - UPDATE: Improved stability of Outlook plugins
- - UPDATE: Improved localizations
- - And some security & user improvements
Changes for v7.0.1407 - v7.0.1412 R2 Beta
- - Autosandbox BSODs
- - Too much activity of File System Shield
- - UI crashes
- - Show Installation Completed window just once
- - Problem with not running Mail shield
- - Incorrect marking emails as a SPAM
- - Slowdown of system after fresh installation
- - And some security & user improvements
Changes for v6.0.1367 - v7.0.1407
- Reputation scanning via FileRep (cloud-based)
- Streaming updates
- Sandbox & Autosandbox improvements
- Remote assistance
- Browser protection improvements (including antiphishing)
- New installer
- Export/Import settings
- UI facelift
- Screensaver facelift
- Runs on Win8 Developer Preview
- Many other security and stability related fixes
Changes for v7.0.1399 Beta 2 - v7.0.1401 Beta 3
- * New avast! Gadget
- * Fixed avast! Remote Assistance
- * Improved Helps & Localizations
- * Registration is working again
- * Account Settings page is functional
Changes for v6.0.1367 - v7 Public Beta
- New features
- - New installer
- - UI facelift
- - FileRep service (cloud based)
- - Streaming updates
- - Sandbox & Autosandbox improvements
- - Browser protection improvements
- - Remote assistance feature to help your friends with computer troubles
- - Support tool
- - Export/Import settings
- - Screensaver facelift
- - runs on Win8 Developer Preview
- - and many, many security improvements
- Known issues
- - In some cases, WebRep Chrome plugin is not installed correctly
- - The Safezone browser is opening each time when you switch back and to the Safezone
- - Plugins for Outlook 2k3 and 2k7 show "runtime error" message
- - Sometimes autosandbox toaster does not close correctly
- - Problems with avast sounds on Win 7 and Win Vista
- - Remote assistance feature sometimes crashes on Win 7 32b, Win Vista 64b
- - avast! account functionality is disabled
- - the help hasn't been updated yet, it's still from v6
- - many of the translations haven't been updated yet, so you'll see new items in English
Changes for v6.0.1289 - v6.0.1367
- Script Shield now works with Google Chrome, all versions of Firefox and Acrobat Reader
- Improvements in WebRep plugins (especially IE)
- Stability improvements in aswSP.sys and the avast! sandbox
- File system shield: improved on-close scanning
- avast! Internet Security: new antispam engine
- Web Shield and Script Shield: more options in the UI
- Added in-product avast! Market
- Various other security and stability related fixes
Changes for v6.0.1203 - v6.0.1289
- New Script Shield - now scanning deeper and supporting more host processes
- Web Shield now scanning all processes by default
- Stability improvements in aswSP.sys
- Better tracking of file sources
- WebRep now working in new versions of Firefox
- Under-the-hood improvements in the Behavior Shield and Sandbox modules
- Solved a compatibility problem with certain Steam-based games
- Minor improvements in the product UI
Changes for v6.0.1091 - v6.0.1203
- improved compatibility with Windows Vista SP0/SP1 (activation issues)
- attempt to solve the "Windows Media Player using a red skin" problem
- Firewall: solved the compatibility problem with uTorrent
- improved load time of WebRep IE plugin
- fixed a bug in Google Chrome WebRep plugin causing excessive CPU usage
- improvements in the silent installer
- improved the CommunityIQ sample submission process
- improved detection/removal of the most stubborn rootkits (TDL family)
- various stability and compatibility improvements in the sandbox module
- added new CreditAlert feature (US customers only)
- added Thai and Serbian language packs
Changes for v6.0 - v6.0.1091
- solved a compatibility problem with ZoneAlarm (WinXP)
- added WebRep Chrome extension
- improved installation of the WebRep plugins (especially Firefox)
- various fixes and improvements in the avast sandbox
- setup programs now smaller by ~20%
- Community features and the Welcome screen can now be turned on/off directly from program settings
- solved a compatibility problem with Outpost firewall
- solved a bug related to the AutoSandbox offer (WinXP)
- gadget can now be removed by simply closing it
- solved a compatibility problem with GameGuard and sXe
- SafeZone improvements
- improved sandbox logging
- SafeZone is now a standalone setup package (can be installed/uninstalled separately)
- improvements in password processing
- improvements in the program uninstaller
- solved a memory leak in the avast gadget
- fixes in the File System Shield transient cache
- various stability/compatibility improvements
Changes for v5.1.889 - v6.0.986 Beta
- 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
- 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
Changes for v5.0.677 - v5.1.889
- 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 (Internet Security only)
Changes for v5.0.594 - v5.0.677
- solved a problem that could lead to disappearing of the avast service
- Behavior Shield: solved a minor stability issue (aswSP.sys) + solved a Win7 issue
- performance and stability improvements in the avast! sandbox
- changes in the engine allowing us to generically detect/block some new types of exploits
- speed improvements in the updater
- IS: fixed a vulnerability in aswFw.sys (Secunia Advisory SA40868)
- solved a vulnerability related to license files (Secunia Advisory SA41109)
- solved a problem with scanning of files with very long path names
- fixed the updater in East-Asian versions of avast running with Windows set to a different locale
- IS: improvements in the Outlook antispam plugin
- IS firewall: improvement in the path name matching
- IS: upgraded to the new version of antispam engine
- minor changes and fixes in the GUI
- fixes in the screen reader support
- fixed a bug where the File System Shield was scanning some files even after being disabled
- added trimming of setup.log
- added Danish, Hebrew and Urdu language packs
Changes for v5.0.545 - v5.0.594
- improved interaction with Windows System Restore; namely, avast now auto-repairs itself when it detects a corrupted VPS due to a System Restore (or other reasons)
- aswSP.sys: solved a minor stability issue
- solved a problem related to inserting of the license files
- added the activation code feature
- solved a problem when avast was progressively slowing down (especially in conjunction with the screensaver)
- performance improvements in the Behavior Shield
- avast Screen saver now accessible even in 64-bit Windows Vista
- stability improvement in aswTdi.sys (solved a compatibility problem with AVG)
- IS firewall: solved a potential BSOD condition
- various improvements in the avast! sandbox module
- minor fixes in the GUI
- added Catalan and Belarusian language packs
Changes for v5.0.507 - v5.0.545
- Most notable improvements include:
- Solved a bug related to submission of false positives
- Improvements in the Behavior Shield (realtime antirootkit part)
- Sandbox: many functional, stability and performance improvements
- Firewall: VPN compatibility fixes (should now work even in Public zone etc)
- Firewall: solved an issue related to hang and/or crash of the afwServ.exe process
- Finally works with major screen readers (avast is now blind-friendly)
- Compatibility improvements in the Web Shield
- Various fixes in the Outlook antispam add-in
- Improved detection of droppers
- Setup program of the Pro AV now also accepts v4.x license keys
- Right-to-left support
- Added Croatian and Arabic language packs
Changes for v5.0.418 - v5.0.462
- important fixes related to the installation of the firewall under 64-bit Windows
- fixed a potential memory leak in the firewall
- Vista/W7: solved a compatibility problem with System Restore
- added access keys – the program can be easily now controlled via keyboard
- solved a problem with the “I only connect to the Internet using a dial up modem” update setting
- fixed multiple issues in the sandbox (plus a few performance improvements)
- this new version is now able to communicate with avast! WHS Edition
- fixed a bug related to the inserting of license files into the program
- fixed a problem in the Outlook plugin related to inserting of notes into HTML emails
- solved a compatibility problem with SmithMicro Poser 8 and similar applications
- improvements in the submission system
- improvements in the Free AV registration system
- better handling of errors in case of real-time shield actions
- improved compatibility with Apple BootCamp
- improved default firewall rules
- low priority scans now use much less CPU (but run accordingly longer)
- components of the avast setup/update process are now digitally signed
- minor improvements in the GUI
- new language packs: Greek, Slovak and Ukrainian. This makes the current number of supported languages 19.
Changes for v5.0.396 - v5.0.418
- stability improvements in the Behavior Shield
- improved compatibility with MBAM Pro (Windows XP)
- improvements in the rootkit scanner
- solved a vulnerability in AavmKer4.sys (Windows 2000/XP only) - special thanks to Tobias Klein
- ProAV + IS: solved a problem with Acrobat hanging when opening pdf files directly from IE
- firewall: low-level packet rules are back in the Expert settings
- improvements in the licensing engine
- new languages: Traditional Chinese, Swedish, Korean, Bulgarian, Hungarian. This makes the current number of supported languages 16
Changes for v5.0.363 Beta - v5.0.366 Beta
- Flaky browsing (in IE)
- High CPU usage in the System process
- General stability issues
- BSODs caused by the sandbox
Changes for v5.0.239 Beta - v5.0.259 Beta
- Both Free AV and IS:
- solved the pesky updater issue (AvastUI.exe error 0xC0000022)
- solved a rare BSOD issue in aswSP.sys
- IS only:
- dial-up network should now work as expected (and be firewalled)
- fixed a few bugs (crashes and issues) in the Virtualization component
- fixed a crash issue in the Outlook antispam plugin
Changes for v4.8.1367 - v4.8.1368
- now compatible with Windows 95/98 again
Changes for v4.8.1356 - v4.8.1367
- improvements in the malware URL blockers
- solved a vulnerability in aswRdr.sys (CVE-2009-4049) (special thanks to Giuseppe Bonfa)
Changes for v4.8.1351 - v4.8.1356
- solved a memory leak in the GZIP unpacker
- solved vulnerabilities in AavmKer4.sys, aswMon2.sys and ashWsFtr.dll (special thanks to Giuseppe Bonfa, Alex and Maxim A. Kulakov)
Changes for v4.8.1335.90415 - v4.8.1351
- improvements in some unpackers (WinExec, Installers, Droppers)
- various fixes and improvements in the scanning engine
- Standard Shield: stability improvements in the kernel-mode drivers
- preparations for smoother migration to v5 (when it's released)
Changes for v4.8.1296 - v4.8.1335
- improvements in some unpackers (WinExec, Installer, ZIP)
- improved memory scan, especially under 64-bit operating systems
- fixed a possible deadlock condition when copying system files from some removable media
- fixed a possible problem with access rights when deleting infected files on reboot
- Web Shield: minor stability fixes
- Internet Mail: smtp.gmail.com and smtp.live.com now ignored on port 25 (as these are SSL only)
- improved healing of some infected files
- various fixes and improvements in the scanning engine
- Web Shield now scans pages compressed with the "deflate" algorithm
- performance optimization of Standard Shield under Windows Vista
- improvements in the automatic sample submission system
- improvements in the URL blocker
Changes for v4.8.1290 - v4.8.1296
- minor improvements in some unpackers
- improvements in the false positive submission system
- speed optimization in kernel-mode components
- XML scan reports now generated in UTF-8 format (allow for non-Latin characters)
Changes for v4.8.1282 - v4.8.1290
- improvements in the malware submission system
- minor improvements in some unpackers
- improvements in the rootkit scanner
- Network Shield: solved a problem occurring on systems with missing TCP stack
Changes for v4.8.1229 - v4.8.1282
- improvements in some unpackers (Zip, 7-Zip, WinExec, Installer)
- fixed incompatibility with ext2fsd driver
- fixed a problem in The Bat! plugin (causing orphaned thebat.exe processes after the program was closed)
- added new unpacker "droppers" (by default turned on in all tasks including the real time scanner)
- fixed a problem with actions on infected files with special names
- Network Shield: added a component for blocking of malware URLs
- added the possibility of sending of statistical information about detected viruses
- added a new option of reporting of false positives
- improved the submission from the Virus Chest (now based on HTTP protocol)
- added a component for gathering of new samples from exploited pages
- implemented a limit of the maximum size of the selfdef.log file
- speed optimizations in the updater
- speed optimizations in the scanning engine
- solved a minor conflict with McAfee SiteAdvisor
- added support for the Windows Security Center in Vista SP1 (new API)
- minor fixes in the Web Shield
- removed support for ICQ a MSN Messenger alerts
Changes for v4.8.1201 - v4.8.1229
- Web Shield: solved compatibility problems with Opera browser
- Web Shield: solved problems with some D-Link router devices
Changes for v4.8.1195 - v4.8.1201
- Solved incompatibility with System Safety Monitor
- Improved compatibility of the self defense module with XP SP3 (and its installation)
- Minor enhancements in the Web Shield (detection of streaming content)
- Minor fixes in the updater
Changes for v4.7.986 - v4.7.1001
- Professional Edition: fixed installation of the ScriptBlocker module which could have previously caused various problems (e.g. in Internet Explorer)
- program installation now completes successfully even if Spyware Doctor is installed (the "OnGuard" module of Spyware Doctor contains a bug that was previously preventing the avast installation from working correctly)
- program installation now better handles the situation when repairing previous (corrupted) installs
- mail scanner: fix for marking of new emails as "read" (the problem was taking place in Thunderbird 2.0 in conjunction with some IMAP servers)
- fix for scanning of areas with East Asian names (Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista)
- added Armadillo unpacker
Changes for v4.7.892 - v4.7.981
- Fixed extra-long duration of the boot-time scan under Windows Vista
- WebShield: improved compatibility with Windows Vista
- WebShield: better support for HTTP method CONNECT in upstream proxy scenarios
- Fixed a minor memory leak in aswrdr.sys
- Auto-updates now use much less CPU resources (should not interfere with other CPU-intensive programs running on the computer, e.g. games)
- Added a new unpacker: "installers"; useful especially for detection of malware droppers
- Outlook/Exchange provider: improved compatibility with Outlook 2007
- Boot-time scanner: fix for the case when there's the /NOGUIBOOT option in boot.ini (or BCD on Windows Vista)
- Fixed a problem in Standard Shield under Windows Vista related to saving of Word 2007 documents on FAT partitions
- Email alerts now use correct formatting even for non-Latin characters
- Fixed a rare problem in Standard Shield related to handling of disk volumes mounted to NTFS directories
- Further enhancements in executable unpackers
- Fixed a bug in ZOO unpacker (special thanks to Jean-Sébastien Guay-Leroux)
- Task scheduler: it's now possible to specify which days of week the task should run
- Command-line scanner (ashCmd.exe) now supports a couple of more command-line options, mostly related to handling of infected files
- Mail scanner: improved deleting of entire emails (virus embedded in email body)
- Fixed opening of the sounds settings dialog under certain operating systems
- Avast! screensaver now available even under Windows Vista 64-bit
- Better detection of corrupted/modified VPS file
- WebShield: other minor fixes
- Added Macedonian, Croatian and Portuguese (not Brazilian) language packs
