Avast Free Antivirus 19.4.2374 for PC Windows

This version contains mainly fixes under the hood for SMB customers.

- Grimefighter is now redone and called Cleanup
* runs without need of reboot
* much faster
* runs on more devices (better compatibility)
- Improved Windows 10 compatibility
- Ability to check compatibility issues with other antivirus software
- Host-based intrusion prevention system (HIPS): an installed software package which monitors a single host for suspicious activity by analyzing events occurring within that host
- StreamFilter with HTTPS scanning is now available also for Windows XP/Vista
- NG is no longer using Volume Shadow Copy Service

- Faster start after reboot - some components are loaded later
- File System Shield - solved incompatibility with TrueCrypt
- File System Shield - exclusions work again
- Added option to install Skype during Avast installation
- StreamFilter - Improved compatibility with other AV products

# Fixes:
- Unable to insert Avast SecureLine license
- Failed to load language dll [1033UILangRes.dll] error after update
- Mail Shield blocked Windows Live Mail connection
- BCU problems with removing addons in silent mode
- some minor internal fixes for BSODs

- 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

* 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

# HTTPS scanning
- Ability to detect and decrypt TLS/SSL protected traffic in the Web-content filtering component. This feature will protect you against viruses coming through HTTPs traffic as well as adding compatibility for SPDY+HTTPS/ HTTP 2.0 traffic. You can tune/disable this feature in the settings section.
# AVAST NG
- A hardware based virtualization solution capable of running each Windows process in standalone safe virtualized environment (VM) and fully integrated to your desktop. Each process is executed in its own instance of VM, which means totally isolated from your other applications. This feature is now powering the Avast DeepScreen, resulting in better detection. Avast NG requires HW virtualization enabled.
# SecureDNS (this feature is active in the paid versions only)
- A new provider which guards against unprotected DNS/DNS hijack on a router/client (including unsecured networks, public ones, etc.).
# Home Network Security
- Scan your home network for vulnerabilities (wifi status, connected devices, router settings, factory passwords, etc.). It helps to discover potential problems not isolated on the particular device only, but in the entire network of devices you use or connect to the Internet from.
# Smart Scan
- Integrated all on demand scans into one (Antivirus, Software updates, Home Network, GrimeFighter). One scan, different results and recommendations.
# New Support System
- Easy contact for paid users to submit a ticket with all info included automatically. Improved knowledge base for free users. Help is completely online and is more up to date.
# General bugfixing
- This covers a lot of stability & performance changes in all components (but the main focus was traditionally on the network & engine components).

- Improved the security of the product
- Added "resume" support in the setup component
- New version of the antispam library
- Added warnings during the installation process for compatibility purposes
- Ability to disable promotion popups (paid versions only)
- General bugfixing

- FIXED: Uninstalling avast might hang at "stopping service: avast! antivirus"
- FIXED: Upload issues for Dropbox and Flickr
- Performance and stabilization fixes in Stream Filter - e.g blocking of ajax calls
- Several firewall fixes - e.g. blocking of Google Earth
- Stability improvements - several crashes fixed

# Core product changes
* Fully rewritten the WebShield so that it now doesn't work as a "transparent proxy" anymore. I.e. no more routing of all HTTP traffic through the AvastSvc.exe process - which should hopefully result in no more conflicts with various firewalls (especially older firewalls that can't handle transparent proxies) and overall improvement in stability and performance. Besides that (and this is really exciting) it allows us to see and detect more threats (the original webshield had some limitations).
* The Firewall component (in IS and Premier) has also changed dramatically. More compatible with other applications, such as Java and various VPN services.
* The installer/updater has been improved to allow more reliable installation in case of infected machines. The installer is now protected by the avast self-defense driver from the very beginning, making it harder for active malware to kill it (if you have problems starting the installer in the first place, it may be a good idea to try to rename the executable to a random name first)
* The changes in the File System Shield's driver should result in faster performance, especially in the copy files and install programs scenarios.
* The Browser Cleanup tool to be able to rip off even the more stubborn toolbars and other "PUBEs" (Pontentially Unwanted Browser Extensions :))
* Fixed a whole bunch of bugs reported in the last couple of months. Especially if you encountered a problem with R1, I suggest you try this new version, chances are that the problem is resolved there.
* For trialware users, added an interactive tutorial that explains all the features of the product in a straightforward, concise manner.
# In addition to the core, there's two more things included in this version:
* Connectivity to the new avast! GrimeFighter product. GrimeFighter is our take on PC Optimization / tuneup and is the result of the Jumpshot acquisition that we did earlier this year. This will be a standalone product (sold separately) but has some connections into Avast. It is really a cool product (and I encourage everyone to give it a try) - technically, it's Linux based, although you wouldn't be able to tell as it's perfectly skinned and does a good job at hiding all the complexities.
* SafePrice is a new, optional module of the Avast browser plugins. It's designed to combine security (hence the "safe" part) with best deals (hence the "price") into one, easy-to-use module. It's pretty silent (almost invisible) unless you search for a specific product -- in which case, it would pop up a price comparison and allow you to pick one of the deals in the trusted stores. The feature can be turned on or off through the browser plugin settings.

- Fixed issues with Metro apps (after update to Win 8.1)
- Fixed occassional problem with playing sounds on the VPS toasters
- Fixed issue with Outpost FW warning („unsinged“ driver)

* Fixed connection issues from Java applets
* Fixed issues with Security Center registration
* Fixed problems with non english languages in RescueDisk
* GUI fixes
* Fixed issues with WinDVD and SQL connectors

* New DeepScreen technology allows avast! to make more intelligent decisions about new/unknown files
* New Hardened mode for stricter lockdown scenarios
* Improved cloud scanning features and crowdsourced analysis of suspicious items
* Continuously streaming update (CSU) technology for up-to-minute detections
* Improved cleaning of malware
* 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
* All-new SafeZone for more secure online shopping and banking
* Rescue disk - allow users to create a bootable CD or flash disk with Avast on it
* A new, streamlined user interface for simplified navigation and more user comfort
* Control and manage all protected devices directly from the Avast console (through integrated the avast! Account)
* Dramatic reduction in product size and memory footprint
* Faster scanning thanks to optimized scanning engine
* 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
* Network protection component tuning & compatibility (WFP technology on Win8+)
* Various improvement in the Software Updater and Browser Cleanup tool
* Full Windows 8.1 compatibility
* Improved general AV performance and stability, including security fixes

- 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

- BSOD fix in aswTdi.sys
- Fixed WebRep crashes in IE
- Fixed WebRep FF issue with not saving the position
- SecureLine stability improvements