Avast "Stealth" configuration

[Diggs]

I'm not here to get into the whole good/bad Avast discussion that has been had before. Needless to say I have used it for years with excellent results until the Win10 debacle. Although it has slipped a few notches in the detection charts, it is still my preferred choice when a customer or client asks for free anti-virus suggestions and I have never had a virus from a client running Avast (knock-on-wood). As I have previously stated it can be configured to run lean, mean and quiet with no pop-ups which so annoying and confusing to some clients.

The "Custom" install screen (can be chosen at the beginning of Install) shows all the crap that is in a standard install. I only use the first three (which actually are the original three modules). Depending on client and situation I may turn on another module or two.

The setup screen shows the configuration I use plus I uncheck the sounds checkbox further down the page. In this configuration Avast runs only 2 modules/apps, not the dozen or so that other AVs run. It is the leanest, meanest and fastest AV I have used. This isn't a recommendation as each has their own experiences and income to be made influencing their choice. I just thought I'd lay out the details that I've discussed before. ....and yes, I'm installing it on Win10 again with no issues.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Web shield and mail shield, so over rated. Anyway I was wondering because I havent used avast in a while how does silent mode effect the sandbox feature (i mean assuming they still have that) where it launches a program and if you see it doing some funky stuff you can stop it.

 

[Diggs]

I'm not sure what the sandbox feature is/was but I think that may be the "Hardened mode" which is pretty resource intensive. In "Gaming Mode/Silent Mode" Avast will pop up extremely noticeable warning boxes when it sees something. The Gaming Mode just suppresses all the superfluous stuff/adware.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

they may have removed it from the free version

 

[TechLady]

Those are pretty much the settings I use.

 

[cypress]

Those are pretty much the settings I use.

Same here, although I don't use the Mail Shield.

 

[GTP]

Even though it's "resource intensive", I would enable "Hardened Mode" to get the Sandboxing feature. My .02
Most new PC's have got enough "gumbo" to run something like that.
BTW, what is "CyberCapture?"

 

[cypress]

Even though it's "resource intensive", I would enable "Hardened Mode" to get the Sandboxing feature. My .02
Most new PC's have got enough "gumbo" to run something like that.
BTW, what is "CyberCapture?"

Cyber Capture is a new feature that they introduced. Basically it automatically flags and blocks any suspicious files. I been messing with the latest version the past couple days but by default I uncheck that box.

 

[KrustyTech]

Hi Diggs,

Pretty much the same config I have been using for all my customers for many,many years. They appreciate the advice , I am not trying to sell them something, builds trust (very important!!) and I honestly think that they are no worse off than , Norton,Mcafee,Trend,Kaspersky etc. Basically if they are going to click on something they shouldn't then nothing is going to stop them!!

 

[Diggs]

Same here, although I don't use the Mail Shield.

I'm curious why you don't use mail shield. That is a primary module I'm interested in as so many users will click on any attachment that comes into their Inbox.

 

[cypress]

I'm curious why you don't use mail shield. That is a primary module I'm interested in as so many users will click on any attachment that comes into their Inbox.

I don't like the advertisement it includes. Feels like SPAM to me.

 

[Diggs]

I don't like the advertisement it includes. Feels like SPAM to me.

Which is why I uncheck Enable email signature (as shown above).

 

[Your PCMD]

I don't install FREE versions of AV, period. If they want free, they get Windows Defender. Now not to sound mean, but I am in the business of making money, not installing free software. Sure, you can charge to "install" it, but cannot make money off of it because of EULA, TOS, etc.

That being said, I will recommend a free AV explaining to my customer that if they install it, I cannot and will not be responsible for support of the software nor if they get malware while using it. And I do not give free malware removal in my MSP plans unless your AV is they one I supply.

You have to draw the line somewhere. I have several clients who use Avast and wonder why they still get a virus. I explain that it is not necessarily Avast's fault but their internet habits and that no AV (even the one I sell and supply with my MSP) is 100%. I have customers who swear by Avast, but still call me to remove their virus. Go figure!

 

[NviGate Systems]

Windows Defender is useless and offers really zero protection if you think about it. It can't protect web, email etc. It can only react once a threat is written to disk or active in memory, by then it's too late.

I would rather adjust pricing so every client walks out with licensed AV. My .02.