Software Update: Avast Antivirus 5.1,807 Beta

Alwil Software has released a new beta version of Avast with 5.1,807 as the version number. This antivirus program is available in the flavors Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Pro Antivirus. In addition, there is Avast Internet Security, which includes a firewall and anti-spam as extras. The corresponding announcement looks like this:

INTRODUCING: BETA VERSION OF AVAST 5.1

we’ll soon be releasing a new build of avast – version 5.1. This includes the three “consumer” editions of avast – ie avast! Free Antivirus, avast! Pro Antivirus and avast! Internet Security. The business products (avast! Business Protection and avast! Business Protection Plus) unfortunately aren’t ready for the prime time yet and will be released later. As usual, we’re making the new version available for public testing before it’s officially released.

how to install it

Just run the setup executable (above left). You can either install it from scratch, or on top of an existing avast installation (installing over both 5.0.xxx or 4.8.yyy should be fine). A reboot will be required to complete the installation. 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! ONION.

what’s new

Most notable improvements include:

• Boot-time scanner for 64-bit OSes (finally!)
• Behavior Shield improvements – now with more sensors and able to detect exact offenders*
• Improved cleaning of infected computers
• Improved anti-rootkit engine – now capable of dealing with the latest TDL variants, for example
• Web Shield improvements (both stability and performance related)
• Mail and Web Shields not hosted in separate NT services anymore, resulting in much faster starts
• IS: new version of anti-spam engine
• Sound packs (more info coming later)

*The Behavior Shield functionality is still incomplete in this build. And even in the final v5.1, it will work only in “passive mode”, which means that the new sensors will be active but won’t be stopping the attacks, just reporting them to our backend infrastructure (unless you have opted out from the avast! community membership). This is to allow us to collect enough data before enabling the real thing in Q1 2011.

New beta refresh 5.1.807

we have just released a new beta refresh, version number 5.1.807.

Things that should be fixed (compared to the last beta):

• 3rd party apps crashing on startup (eg 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 compatibility problems with a few apps
• the Secunia Psi thing discussed here (not really our fault)
• some performance related things

Download links:
Free AV: http://files.avast.com/files/beta/5.1.807/setup_av_free.exe
Pro AV: http://files.avast.com/files/beta/5.1.807/setup_av_pro.exe
IS: