UltraAV Archives

Tech Optimizer

December 24, 2024

TotalAV Antivirus Pro

TotalAV Antivirus Pro is designed to examine computers for malware and protect against future threats, offering additional features like backup, system tune-up, and ad-blocking. It is priced at .00 per year for protection across five PCs, which is higher than competitors like Norton (.99), Malwarebytes Premium Security (.99), and ESET (.99). TotalAV does not offer various pricing tiers; additional licenses require purchasing a more advanced application. The TotalAV Internet Security package costs .00 per year for six licenses with VPN protection, while the Total Security version costs .00 per year for eight licenses with a password manager. Installation can begin with a free trial or by registering online, and the process is lengthy. The interface features a dark mode option and a streamlined menu. TotalAV scored 17.5 points in independent lab testing by AV-Test Institute, earning it the Top Product designation, and received Advanced certification from AV-Comparatives. In practical tests, it neutralized 72% of malware samples immediately and achieved an overall detection rate of 88%. TotalAV's WebShield detected 96% of phishing sites, outperforming built-in browser protections. Users can choose from quick, full, or custom scans, with the initial full scan taking 53 minutes. Scheduled scans occur weekly, but quick or custom scans cannot be scheduled. Most privacy features require an upgrade, while the free edition includes Total Adblock. TotalAV features a Clean-up Scan for junk files and an Application Uninstaller for removing multiple applications simultaneously. The Total Security page offers features and add-ons, including a basic online backup solution with 2GB of storage.

Tech Optimizer

November 26, 2024

Readers’ Choice 2024: The PC Security and Online Privacy Brands You Trust Most

PCMag has reviewed antivirus software since 1988 and evaluated over 150 security applications last year. A recent survey revealed consumer preferences for antivirus software and VPNs. For 2024, Proton emerged as the top VPN brand with a score of 9.0 out of 10, while Bitdefender was rated the most trusted antivirus brand, receiving a perfect five-star rating. Trend Micro won the Reader's Choice Award for security suites, surpassing Bitdefender. In mobile antivirus, Bitdefender was the preferred choice, excelling in most categories. The survey for Antivirus and Security Suites was conducted from September 10 to November 4, 2024.

Tech Optimizer

October 26, 2024

Avira Internet Security

Offering antivirus or security suite protection for free can enhance brand awareness and goodwill among consumers, but financial sustainability is at risk without a significant number of users upgrading to paid versions. Avira Internet Security's annual fee for a single installation is .99, with a three-license subscription costing .99, and a five-license option priced at .99, making it the highest rate for an entry-level security suite. The interface of Avira Internet Security is similar to Avira Free Security, and both versions provide basic features, including real-time protection and a file shredder. Avira achieved an aggregate score of 9.7 in antivirus testing but detected 97% of malware samples. Its Browser Safety extension blocked 98% of harmful URLs, while Web protection achieved 97% effectiveness. Avira's ransomware protection likely functions well, but its efficacy could not be definitively proven. The Software Updater Pro feature allows users to manage application updates, but it requires manual intervention. Avira Password Manager offers unlimited password syncing across devices in its free version, while the Pro edition provides a security status report. The simple firewall included in Avira Internet Security offers basic network protection and is easy to configure. Overall, most valuable features are available in the free edition, and Bitdefender Internet Security is recommended as a superior alternative.

Tech Optimizer

October 22, 2024

Avira Free Security

Antivirus protection for personal computers is crucial, and free tools like Avira Free Security offer antivirus capabilities along with features such as a VPN, password management, and ad blocking. However, it lacks a typical security suite experience, missing components like firewall protection, backup, and spam filtering, with many features reserved for paying customers. Alternatives include Avast One Essential for a more streamlined free suite and AVG AntiVirus Free for basic protection, both recognized as Editors' Choice winners. Avira operates under Gen Digital, which includes brands like Avast, AVG, LifeLock, and Norton. The company has undergone several acquisitions since 2016, culminating in Norton acquiring Avast/AVG in 2021. These brands utilize four distinct antivirus engines, with efforts underway to develop a unified engine. Avira's installation process is user-friendly, prompting users to run a Smart Scan after installation. The Smart Scan checks for malware, evaluates privacy settings, identifies performance enhancements, flags apps needing updates, and scans for network threats. In independent lab tests, Avira received perfect or near-perfect scores from three labs, achieving a perfect score of 18 points from AV-Test Institute. It secured Advanced+ ratings from AV-Comparatives and passed tests for banking Trojans and general malware defense from MRG-Effitas. In personal testing, Avira quarantined 73% of curated malware samples, detecting 97% overall, earning a score of 9.3 out of 10. It successfully eradicated all ransomware samples but fell short compared to competitors in overall malware detection. Avira achieved a perfect score of 100% in phishing URL detection, ranking it among the top contenders in phishing protection. Its security features include virus scans, quarantine management, and software updates, though some features require an upgrade to Avira Prime. The privacy suite includes a browser safety extension, VPN with limited functionality, password manager, and file shredder. The performance features aim to optimize system efficiency but are often tied to the separate Avira System Speedup application, which promotes premium features.

Tech Optimizer

October 8, 2024

“Kaspersky Lab” lost access to Google Play due to US restrictions

Google has removed Kaspersky Lab's antivirus software from its Google Play store and closed the company's developer account, following U.S. restrictions imposed on September 29. Kaspersky Lab has criticized this decision as an "over-interpretation" of the restrictions, asserting that the regulations do not ban the sale and distribution of its products outside the U.S. Users who previously installed the app can still use it but will not receive updates or be able to reinstall it. The removal was first noted by users on September 27, with Kaspersky confirming it two days later. Google cited the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security sanctions as the reason for the removal. These sanctions led Kaspersky Lab to stop operations in the U.S. market and switch to alternative antivirus solutions from UltraAV without notifying users.

AppWizard

October 7, 2024

Google officially kicks Kaspersky antivirus software app off the Play Store

Kaspersky's official Android app was removed from the Google Play Store, and its developer accounts were disabled, following sanctions imposed by the US government. Kaspersky is investigating the unavailability of its software and has provided alternative download options through other app stores and its official website. The US government has raised concerns about Kaspersky's software potentially being exploited by the Russian government, leading to a ban on the sale of its products effective July 20, 2024. Kaspersky was placed on the US Entity List, and updates to its software were halted as of September 29. The company is offering free security products and safety tips for six months to mitigate customer impact. In September 2024, US customers reported that their antivirus software was replaced with a new solution named UltraAV.

Tech Optimizer

October 1, 2024

Antivirus Software Kaspersky Automatically Switching to UltraAV – CIO News

Kaspersky antivirus software users in the United States will transition to UltraAV due to Kaspersky's exit from the US market following Department of Commerce sanctions. Kaspersky has communicated this change via email, ensuring a seamless transition for eligible users. The transition will occur in phases to maintain protection, and UltraAV's software includes features like a password manager, VPN, and identity theft protection for up to 20 devices (excluding iOS). Users will receive instructions for account activation, with no changes to invoicing or pricing. Notifications about the transition began on September 5, and Kaspersky support will end after September 30.

Tech Optimizer

September 29, 2024

Kaspersky Antivirus Software Is Automatically Transitioning to UltraAV

Kaspersky antivirus software users in the United States will transition to UltraAV's antivirus protection due to Kaspersky's exit from the US market following sanctions imposed by the Department of Commerce. Kaspersky has partnered with UltraAV, a subsidiary of the Pango Group, to provide continued cybersecurity protection. The transition will occur in phases to ensure a seamless experience for users, and information has been communicated through emails and a dedicated webpage. UltraAV's software includes features such as a password manager, VPN services, and identity theft protection, but lacks some features of Kaspersky's software. Billing and fees will remain unchanged, and users will receive instructions for activating their new accounts. Notifications about the transition started on September 5, and Kaspersky support and updates will end on September 30.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2024

Kaspersky’s US customers receive ‘UltraAV’ swap, raising red flags

The product was installed without user consent, raising concerns among users about potential risks. Prabhu urged individuals to consider alternative solutions after thorough comparisons. For enterprises, independent testing and third-party assurances are crucial in decision-making. The shift from Kaspersky to UltraAV presents challenges, as large enterprises typically govern permissions for changes and upgrades tightly, often relying on multiple vendors and considering the country of origin in their decisions.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2024

US-based Kaspersky users startled by unexpected UltraAV installation – Help Net Security

US-based Kaspersky customers have expressed concern after UltraAV software unexpectedly appeared on their devices due to a poorly managed transition process following a nationwide ban on Kaspersky antivirus solutions by the US Department of Commerce, effective in late September 2024. Kaspersky announced a partnership with UltraAV and a transition plan, but communication was unclear, leading to confusion among users. Some received emails about activating new accounts, while others did not. A software update rolled out on September 19 resulted in UltraAV being installed without user consent, causing suspicions of malware. UltraAV's FAQ indicated that the software is activated on Windows systems, while Mac, Android, and iOS users must download it manually. Users are considering canceling subscriptions and uninstalling UltraAV and UltraVPN due to trust issues. Rob Joyce, former NSA Director of Cybersecurity, warned about the risks of granting root-level access to software, emphasizing the need for caution in trusting such solutions.