First thing that users notice is the new installer. Avast notes that the beta versions can be installed over existing Avast 6 installations, or separately on the system. The custom installation provides options to install a typical, minimal or custom version of the security software on the system. Especially the latter option should appeal to security interested computer users, as it allows them to block modules from being installed on their computer. Here it is possible to disable any module that you do not want to use, and not only some which seems to be more common in custom installers. This can for instance be useful if those modules are not needed or interfering with other security software installed on the system.

Avast 7 Beta is compatible with all recent 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the windows operating system and the Windows 8 Developer Preview version released last year. The program interface has received a facelift as well. Core program features are available in the side bar menu.

The Real-Time Shields display for instance displays visual information about each security module installed on the system.

One of the new features that Avast has integrated into the beta versions is a cloud based reputation service which improves the decision making process of the program.

Here is the full list of 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

It is recommended to check the known issues before installing the beta software on a system.

- 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

Avast’s Auto Sandbox feature sounds like a real winner, if Avast gets the detection right. It puts suspicious processes automatically in a sandbox to prevent them from damaging the underlying operating system, other programs and files.

I would not recommend running the beta version in a productive environment though. It is likely that Avast will release the final version of the program in the coming months. (via Vishal)

The German computer magazine COM is currently running a giveaway of avast! Internet Security. The promotional web page is accessible by anyone. While only in German, it provides a license that works with English versions of Avast Internet Security as well.

Here is how you can get your free license of Avast Internet Security. Start by downloading the latest version of the security program from the official website. The link points to the English version of the software. I have not tested other language versions, they may work as well.

Go to the promo page and fill in your first name, last name and email address. You will receive a license download link in an email once you click on the send (Absenden) button.

The license file is zipped which means you need to unzip it first. Make sure you have Avast installed before you click on the License com! so geht´s.avastlic file. A click on the file registers the program. You can alternatively open Avast Internet Security and load the license under Registration Options from within the program interface.

The license itself expires April 2012, which means you get about nine months of free use from this marketing opportunity.

I have reviewed Avast 6 Antivirus Software back in February. I suggest you read that article as it covers the basic modules offered by Avast Internet Security. You can read up on the antivirus protection, sandbox or web reputation engine.

Avast Internet Security benefits from features that are not available in the free antivirus version. This includes more settings, faster program updates, boot-time scanning, game mode, firewall or keylogger protection. Plus it can be used commercially.

Interested users can read up on Avast Internet Security here on the Avast homepage. The program is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system. (via)

The company stayed deathly silent for eighteen months but have now finally announced that there have been 774,651 activations using the pirated key for their Avast Pro suite.

The key was originally issued to a small business in Arizona but has since been used right around the world including, according to an Avast spokesperson, “on two computers in Vatican City”.

The spokesperson went on to say “There is a paradox in computer users looking for ‘free’ antivirus programs at locations with a known reputation for spreading malware.”

Now the dodgy code is being used in over 200 countries and Avast have issued a pop-up warning on the relevant computers informing the user, who may be completely unsuspecting, of the situation and offering them the option to switch to a legitimate copy of either their free or paid-for anti-virus suites.

There’s no data yet on how many pirates have decided to go legit, but according to Avast “it’s going according to plan”.

If you are running last year’s version, say Kaspersky Internet Security 2010, you are bound to use it even after the 2011 product has been released by Kaspersky. At least that’s what many users believe. The update in the software confirms their views, as it will only update the 2010 version of the product, and not the update to the 2011 version.

What many users don’t know is that it is quite possible to update from last year’s security software to this year’s release, without additional costs. The only requirement is a valid license of the security software.

Lets exemplify the process: To update Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 to Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 a user would do the following.

• Download the latest product version of the security software from the Kaspersky website
• Install the product after the download, without uninstalling Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 first.
• Reboot the PC to complete the installation.

Kaspersky automatically detects that last year’s version was installed, and will take over the license. Licenses usually run for 365 days, and the user can use the new version of the software for the remaining period without additional costs.

The same updating option is provided by software from other security software companies. It is for instance possible to update Norton Antivirus 2010 to 2011 this way, or Bitdefender 2010 to 2011.

Below are download links of the latest versions of popular security suites and programs:

• Bitdefender: Antivirus Pro 2011, Internet Security 2011, TOTAL Security 2011
• Kaspersky: Kaspersky PURE, Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky Anti-Virus
• Symantec: # Norton 360, Norton Internet Security 2011, Norton AntiVirus 2011
• Eset: ESET Smart Security 4, ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4
• Avast: avast! Pro Antivirus 5.0, avast! Internet Security 5.0
• AVG: AVG Internet Security 2011, AVG Anti-Virus 2011
• Avira: Avira AntiVir Premium, Avira Premium Security Suite, Avira AntiVir Professional
• Panda: Panda Global Protection 2011, Panda Internet Security 2011, Panda Antivirus Pro 2011

Please note that we have not tested updating all software programs listed above. It is however very likely that updates to newer versions are supported by all of them, considering that this increases the likelihood of the customer staying with the company for another year, once the license runs out. If you are not sure, contact your company to get an official response before updating the software.

Update: Users who want to be on the safe side need to uninstall the installed product first, reboot the PC and install the new version on the next startup.

Google agreed to distribute Avast antivirus in their Google Pack application’s package. Currently Avast is only available for selected languages including German but not English. Avast did replace Norton Security Scan in the language versions of Google Pack it was included. Currently Avast 5.0 Beta is included in those Google Pack downloads.

Avast on the other hand agreed to distribute Google Chrome, the web browser that is developed by Google, with its software.

Avast 5.0 can be downloaded as a free version which does not offer all the options that Avast 5.0 Professional offers like a new sandboxing option, command line controls or push updates.

One of the biggest changes in Avast 5.0 is the new interface plus improvements to the antivirus scanning engine, performance and memory, disk and cpu usage.

The latest beta of Avast 5 can be downloaded from the Avast website. The final version of Avast Antivirus 5.0 is reported to be released very soon and will then be available for download at the official Avast website.

Update:

Avast 5 has been released and is now officially available for download at the Avast website and popular download sites. Google Pack will also be updated shortly with the final version of Avast Antivirus 5.

So called anti virus removal tools have been created to effectively remove traces of anti virus software from the computer system. They usually run a series of processes that delete files, Registry settings and other parameters or options that have been installed by the antivirus software during installation.

Below is a collection of anti virus software removal tools that have been created by the developers of the programs to aid their users if they encounter difficulties uninstalling it.

• AntiVir Registry Cleaner
• Avast Removal Tool
• AVG Remover
• Bitdefender Uninstallation Tool
• F-Secure Uninstallation Tool
• Kaspersky Removal Tool
• McAfee Consumer Products Removal
• Microsoft One Care Uninstall Cleanup Tool
• Norton Removal Tool
• Panda Anti Virus 2008 Uninstaller
• Symantec Corporate Products Clean Up Tool

Did we miss antivirus software uninstallation tools in the list? Let us know in the comments.