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Thread: Avast Melts Down
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12-05-09, 09:56 AM #1
Avast Melts Down
Any Avast users have the false positives issue this week? A definition update flagged multiple legitimate files as threats and moved or deleted them, crippling hundreds (if not thousands) of users' PC's in the process:
http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch...bels_files.php
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10408645-83.html
http://blog.avast.com/2009/12/04/apo...nition-update/
Very disappointing performance from my favorite free AV. Luckily, I dodged this mess, but it's made me switch to Avira AntiVir Free, at least for the time being.
I had just installed Avast 5 Beta3, which has a great GUI and looks like a really promising upgrade, but it flagged two legitimate files as malware and moved them to the Virus Chest (quarantine), even after the corrected definition update. And it did so with no notification that I could see. It appears Avast 5 also does not give you the ability (that I can find) to ignore potential malware, so any file it flags as malicious is going to be moved automatically, requiring you to restore it.
Teaching points: don't blindly trust your antivirus software. Check the settings and be sure you retain some measure of control over file deletions in the event of a false positive. More importantly, backup, backup, backup! Find and regularly use a good backup or imaging program (I like Macrium Reflect Free). Imaging software has saved my butt many, many times over the years.
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed."
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
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12-05-09, 01:42 PM #4
Re: Avast Melts Down
Originally Posted by RuddlesPub
You might try a file recovery program such as Recuva (http://www.piriform.com/recuva). I've never had to use one of these, myself, but it might be worth a try."A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed."
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
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12-05-09, 07:20 PM #5Re: Avast Melts Down
That sucks... I really liked Avast. Oh well, I won't install that again.
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12-05-09, 10:13 PM #7
Re: Avast Melts Down
Somewhere in windows is a small thing that lists what files your computer tries to open on startup. Many Trojans install .dll's and makes the computer think they are legitmate and once removed you get the error box. Found out a few weeks ago (after 2 years of bootup error boxes) that useing this startup thing you can uncheck the .dlls and the boxes wont pop up anymore.
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12-06-09, 07:54 AM #9
Re: Avast Melts Down
Originally Posted by Too Much Damage
Just a totally fubar'ed update file, apparently.
I might give Avast 5 another look in 6 months or so, after they've had time to get the bugs out. I suspect that after this mess, they'll be even more diligent in assuring that nothing similar happens again."A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed."
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
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12-06-09, 10:00 PM #10
Re: Avast Melts Down
I changed from Avast! to MSE a few days ago. Good timing...
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