avast  is a package of applications that aim to protect your computer from a possible virus
infection or other malware threat. If you use it correctly, and in combination with other programs
such as data backup utilities, it will significantly reduce the risk of your computer being
attacked
or infected by a virus, and thus the risk of losing important or private data.
These help files have been created to help you understand how the program works as a whole, as well
as describing the properties and functions of its component parts. We assume the user has knowledge
of basic terms and the basic skills needed to use the Windows operating system. If you are not
familiar with terms such as  folder ,  file , or  window , or what it means to  activate a window 
or  click a button , we recommend that you consult the appropriate user manual before proceeding.
Based on the award-winning avast  antivirus engine, avast  antivirus 5.0 contains all of the
features you would expect in a modern antivirus program. It incorporates anti-spyware technology
certified by West Coast Labs  Checkmark process, as well as anti-rootkit and strong self-protection
capabilities, but now provides even faster scanning with improved detection ability. It contains
several real-time  Shields  which continuously monitor your email and internet connections and
check
the files on your computer whenever they are opened or closed.
- Continuous protection against viruses and spyware
- Ensures all mails sent and received are clean
- Keeps you protected from  chat  infections
- Stops attacks from hijacked websites
- Lets you safely browse suspicious websites or run unknown applications
- Allows safe and uninterrupted gaming
Here are some key features of  Avast  Pro Antivirus :
   Core and detection
   Antivirus and anti-spyware engine
   State of the art scanning engine provides reliable protection against viruses, spyware and other
forms of malicious software.
   Real time anti-rootkit protection
   Unique  on access  technology checks all kernel-mode drivers that the operating system is
loading for signs of rootkit behavior. This enables even unknown rootkits to be detected and
stopped
before they can do any damage.
   avast  Sandbox
   Enables potentially exploitable programs  such as web browsers  and/or suspicious executables to
be run in a safe, virtual environment. The avast  Sandbox is unique as it runs on both 32 and 64bit
platforms.
   avast  Community IQ
   Most samples we process come from sensors deployed throughout the avast  community in the
Behavior shield and anti-rootkit modules. This is a unique source of data made possible only thanks
to our huge user base. Most of the collected samples are analysed by a number of automated
processes
and only a small fraction of the samples need to be processed manually by our virus analysts.
   Code emulator
   When a suspicious executable is encountered  during both on-demand and on-access scanning ,
avast  is able to emulate the program   s code in an isolated environment. The code emulator is
used
for two purposes. First, it is used for generic unpacking. Secondly, it is used in the heuristics
engine. Technically, this is done using dynamic translation, a method much faster than traditional
emulation techniques.
   Heuristics engine
   Starting with version 5.0, avast  features a new heuristics engine designed to proactively
detect malware undetectable with normal definitions. The heuristics engine is able to cover both
binary  executable  and script malware.
   Potentially unwanted programs detection
   New in version 5.0, avast  now detects potentially unwanted programs, such as remote admin tools
and commercial key loggers. Custom rules can be set for dealing with these types of programs.
   Scanning
   Boot-time scanner
   Allows you to scan your computer for infections before the operating system has started and
before a virus can be activated  32-bit operating systems only .
   Command-line scanner
   Enables you to run a scan directly from the command line.
   Wake-up for scan
   Microsoft Windows is woken from sleep or hibernation mode, performs a scheduled scan, then
returns back to sleep mode.
   Scheduled scanning
   Allows users to define the scan time and files to be scanned.
   avast  Intelligent Scanner
   Can reduce the number of required file scans by up to 80  through a white list of proven safe
applications. Files identified as safe are not rescanned unless they change.
   Shields
   Behavior Shield
   Monitors activity on your computer using a number of sensors  file system, registry and network
based  and reports/blocks any suspicious behavior.
   Behavioral Honeypots
   avast  sensors identify and monitor suspicious file activity on selected computers,
automatically submitting files to the Virus Lab for additional analysis.
   File System Shield
   Real-time scanning of opened/executed files.
   Mail Shield
   Scans all incoming/outgoing e-mails for malware. For MS Outlook, a special plug-in is used.
Other email clients are protected by a generic POP3/IMAP4/SMTP proxy. New in version 5, the proxy
also supports scanning of SSL communication  gmail.com, sympatico.ca,    . 
   Web Shield
   Scans all visited web pages and checks all files, pages and java scripts downloaded from the
internet. Thanks to the Intelligent Stream Scan feature, the Web shield doesn t slow down your web
browsing.
   P2P Shield
   Checks files downloaded using P2P programs. - ABC, Ares, Azureus, BearShare, Bit Torrent,
BitComet, BitLord, BitPump, CZDC  , Direct Connect, eDonkey, eMule, iDC  , iMesh, Kazaa, Kceasy,
LimeWire, Morpheus, Opera s DC  , Overnet, Qtrax, Shareaza, SoulSeek, StrongDC  , uTorrent, Vuze,
WinMX, Winny2, Zultrax.
   IM Shield
   Checks files downloaded while using instant messaging or    chat    programs. - AIM  AOL Instant
Messenger , Gadu-Gadu, gaim/Pidgin, Google Talk, ICQ, IM2 Messenger, Infium, Miranda, mIRC,
MSN/Windows Messenger, Odigo, PalTalk Messenger, Psi Jabber Client, QIP, QQ, SIM, Skype, Tlen,
Trillian, WengoPhone, XFire, Yahoo  Messenger.
   Network Shield
   Provides protection against network-based viruses. The module has two main components: a URL
blocker, designed to block malicious URLs  as defined by the Virus Lab , and a lightweight
intrusion-detection system.
   Script Shield
   Detects malicious scripts hidden in internet web pages and prevents them from running and
hijacking or potentially causing damage to your computer  Internet Explorer only, 32-bit only .
   Updates
   Smart virus definition updates
   Incremental updating system minimizes the size of regular update files.
   Fast application of updates
   New format for the virus definition file speeds up application of updates into avast  5.0 and
reduces demand on CPU/memory, resulting in uninterrupted computer use.
   New format for the virus definition file means faster updates and reduces demand on CPU/memory,
resulting in uninterrupted computer use.
   Gaming
   Silent/Gaming Mode
   New Silent/Gaming Mode automatically detects full-screen applications and disables pop-ups and
other on-screen notifications without degrading security.
   Optimized for latest Intel Core i7 CPUs
   Critical sections of the avast  scanning engine code have been optimized to deliver unrivaled
performance on the latest Intel chips.
   CPU optimization
   Multi-threaded scanning optimization
   avast  runs faster on new multi-core CPUs. A new avast  feature allows the splitting of large
individual files between cores, accelerating the scanning process.
   Green computing
   Reduced demands on the disk drive result in lower energy consumption.
   Miscellaneous
   avast  iTrack
   Real-time graphic scanning reports.
   Graphical user interface
   Easy to navigate graphical interface.
   Automatic processing
   Infected files are processed automatically without requiring user instructions.
Requirements:
   Processor Pentium 3,
   128 MB RAM,
   100 MB of free hard disk space
install
use license file to register