FAQ: Free AOL/Kaspersky Active Virus Shield

[John]

Update: As of 8-1-2007 AOL dropped KAV and switched to McAfee. :thumbsdown:

Update: As of 8-3-2007 AOL has taken down the AVS offer. However bzo pointed out that you can use google cache to request codes, and I've uploaded AVS_v25 to my FTP so grab them while you still can.

Update: As of 8-5-2007 the google cache workaround is dead. The download for AVS_v25 is still active, and if you need a key send me a PM.




I decided to create a FAQ since AOL Active Virus Shield (AVS) is becoming extremely popular, and it will be easier to discuss issues related to this software in a single thread that's located in the proper forum.

Links:

• Active Virus Shield FAQs ~ it also runs on 64-bit version of XP & Vista
• Kaspersky FAQ on Active Virus Shield
• AnandTech Hot Deals thread discussing AOL AVS.

Info:

AOL has released a free anti-virus called AOL Active Virus Shield (AVS) that is based on Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6. In large part, AOL security solutions are intended to address a segment of the user community that does not currently have anti-virus defenses or do not necessarily keep up-to-date with their anti-virus protection. There are no banners or misc. AOL crapware other than the small AOL logo at the top and bottom of the program window. Although it's a slimmed down version of Kaspersky 6 it retains the most important features. This is a hot deal and without a doubt the best free AV available right now!

• Based on Kaspersky AV v6.0.2.621
• Real-time protection with identical file plus email scanning & detection capabilities as the pay version of Kaspersky AV 6.0
• Lacks proactive defense, web scan, exclusions, and rescue disk creation
• Low resource usage - only has 2 running processes that use between 8-20MB of memory
• The definition databases are identical to KAV and updated every couple of hours. To bypass the slow AOL update servers and use Kaspersky's you can edit your hosts file and add the following line: 127.0.0.1 download.newaol.com
• During the AVS installation uncheck the option to install the security toolbar :camera: since it's based on a product with a questionable reputation.

Reviews:

• Virus.gr August 2006 comparitive
  
  1. Kaspersky version 6.0.0.303 - 99.62%
  2. Active Virus Shield by AOL version 6.0.0.299 - 99.62%
  
• AV-Comparitives August 2006 on-demand comparitive ~ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Advanced+ w/ 99.06 detection rate. The March 2007 on-demand comparative showed a 96%+ detection rate and yet another Advanced+ rating. Zone Alarm AV 2007 (not listed), F-Secure, AVK, and eScan also use Kaspersky engines.
  
  A-V Comparitive proactive/retrospective report No.12
  The retrospective tests on their site are performed on-demand using a 3 month old virus definition database and compares the detection rate over the viruses that have appeared within the last 3 months.
  
  

  Users shouldn't be afraid if products have, in a retrospective test, low percentages. If the anti-virus software is always kept up-to-date it will be able to detect most of the samples. For understanding how the detection rates of the anti-virus products look with updated signatures and programs, have a look at our regular on-demand detection tests.

  
  
  If for one reason or another you don't trust AOL Active Virus Shield, or you would rather pay for an anti-virus, please consider purchasing the full version of Kaspersky AV Personal 6.0 or Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0. They offer industry-leading virus detection, rootkit detection, have small installers (<20MB), low resource usage, offer daily definition updates, and so much more. Honestly you can't go wrong with either one.

Tips and Troubleshooting:

• During installation you are asked to input the activation key. Some people have had success typing in the code manually instead of copy/paste. However after you input the product key, the Next button may refuse to light up and you cannot continue setup. This could happen if the Windows registered owner field is blank. In order to rectify the issue please do the following:
  
  • Start-> Run-> regedit -> Navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version
    
    Once you have reached the Current Version key take a look in the Right Hand Pane and look for 'Registered Owner'-> right click, modify, then type in a name-> ok-> Exit the registry
    
  • Enable advanced heuristics by right-clicking the green AOL AVS tray icon -> settings -> put a check next to Potentially dangerous software
    
  • After you perform a full scan you can speed up the scan times. Open the program or right-click the AVS tray icon-> settings-> scan-> customize-> Scan new and changed files only-> ok-> look under Other scan tasks and click Apply-> apply
    
  • Does it seem like there is a slight delay while windows is loading the desktop? Open the program or right-click the AVS tray icon-> settings-> scan-> Startup Objects-> uncheck Run on system start-> apply
    
  • To force the Kaspersky download servers instead of AOL's add this to your hosts file:
    127.0.0.1 download.newaol.com
    
  • When your current activation code expires you can go to Service -> Support -> click License Info -> delete your current code -> add the new code

Hot Deal:

Visit the Kaspersky Hot Deals thread if you're interested in purchasing full version Kaspersky products that are typically FAR (free after rebate) or heavily discounted. Be sure to check some of the recent posts since the OP might not be updated with current information.

• Download the latest versions direct from Kaspersky:
  http://www.kaspersky.com/productupdates

The Home User versions should come with a 30-day trial. You can also use your existing activation code or key to activate the free trials. The good news is that Kaspersky just released version 7.0 and current customers can upgrade for free. You can either uninstall 6.0 first, reboot, then install 7.0, or you can simply run the 7.0 installer and it will delete 6.0 during setup.

 

[Schadenfroh]

What is teh best antivirus??

 

[John]

Norton? :shocked:

The OP has been updated.

 

[Mem]

I have been trying to get my brother to convert from Norton's 2006 AV to AOL free one,his AV expires next month,I hope he sees the light .

 

[StevenYoo]

thread marked for later!

 

[Gamingphreek]

I know these are Anti Virus programs, but should I, after installing AOL Kaspersky install Windows Defender as well?

Also, I know you said avoid NAV but my school gives out Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition. Is Corporate Edition going to be any better (As in should I stick with it) or no? Also I know Norton has that Real Time protection...I assume AOL Kaspersky has something similar to that?

-Kevin

 

[John]

Yes, it's ok to load Defender and/or other "reputable" anti-spyware application. Corporate and enterprise versions of Symantec & McAfee are not bloatware and are acceptable.

 

[mechBgon]

If you want a pic of the checkbox they're supposed to uncheck, feel free to link to this one, or grab a copy: http://www.mechbgon.com/no_toolbar.gif

Besides good detection rates in tests, I think another benefit is that the updates are delivered hourly, keeping the window of vulnerability at a minimum for fast-spreading threats.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Alright thanks so much for the help guys. Ill keep trying out this AVS one because, well Norton takes up A LOT of resources and what not.

Do you by chance know what the difference between Corporate Version/Enterprise Version and the Regular Versions is?

-Kevin

 

[Unkno]

Btw, all of the tests/reviews were using the older 2.50version of NOD32. Now, the latest version is 2.70.

 

[flashbacck]

What happens after the 1yr license?

 

[Mem]

Besides good detection rates in tests, I think another benefit is that the updates are delivered hourly, keeping the window of vulnerability at a minimum for fast-spreading threats.

The only other known AV that I know of that can update hourly is Bitdefender.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: flashbacck
What happens after the 1yr license?

You get a new key from them.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Do you by chance know what the difference between Corporate Version/Enterprise Version and the Regular Versions is?

Less bloat and more managability for the IT guy that oversees your infrastructure.

 

[fyleow]

..

 

[John]

Originally posted by: fyleow
I requested a CD-key days ago and it never came. I tried again today and got it. Just thought I'd let people who signed up a few days ago and are still waiting.

Hopefully it doesn't go down once we hit 2007.

 

[mechBgon]

bump

 

[bunker]

I've got it running, but it won't run when I'm running a distributed computing project (Folding@Home). As soon as I kill the folding process, the AV process runs. Supposedly folding is supposed to set itself up at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to processor usage, but so is this.

Any thoughts on how to increase the processor priority on this?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: bunker
I've got it running, but it won't run when I'm running a distributed computing project (Folding@Home). As soon as I kill the folding process, the AV process runs. Supposedly folding is supposed to set itself up at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to processor usage, but so is this.

Any thoughts on how to increase the processor priority on this?

Try this:

1) open the Settings

2) In the Protection panel, uncheck this box :camera: for the real-time protection

3) In the Scan > Customize panel, go to the Additional tab and uncheck this box :camera: for the scheduled scans and manual scans.


Any good?

 

[GullyFoyle]

Any idea if there is an option to get this to skip scanning specific files?
It keeps identifying my lspcs.dll file as Adaware, when it is really installed by CyberSitter that I put on the PC to protect the kids. Even if I say skip it, it is doing something with the file that is disabling my Internet connection. Plus it keeps nagging me to delete it every 10 seconds...
Also, is there a way to report this to Kaspersky, so they can fix it?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: DanDeighan
Any idea if there is an option to get this to skip scanning specific files?
It keeps identifying my lspcs.dll file as Adaware, when it is really installed by CyberSitter that I put on the PC to protect the kids. Even if I say skip it, it is doing something with the file that is disabling my Internet connection. Plus it keeps nagging me to delete it every 10 seconds...
Also, is there a way to report this to Kaspersky, so they can fix it?

edit: my bad, I just realized that the free version of Kaspersky doesn't have the Trusted Zone capabilities I'm describing below. Email a copy of the file to newvirus =at= kaspersky =d0t= com with the subject line FALSE POSITIVE and explain what the file is. You'll probably have to put the .dll in a Zip file to get it through the email system.



You want to add it to the Trusted Zone :camera: Open the Kaspersky settings panel, and in Protection, hit Trusted Zones and the Trusted Zones panel will open. Hit the Add button, browse for what you want to make an exception for, and you can add it there.

Alternately, on the alerts, there should be an Add to Trusted Zones option at the bottom of the alert.

BTW yeah, you may also want to email newvirus =at= kaspersky =d0t= com, send them a copy of the file, and title the email FALSE POSITIVE and tell them what the file is.

 

[GullyFoyle]

The trusted Zone button does not seem to be available in the free AOL version.
At least I don't see it on mine...

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: DanDeighan
The trusted Zone button does not seem to be available in the free AOL version.
At least I don't see it on mine...

Yeah, I was just re-reading the original post and noticed that If you send Kaspersky a sample of the file as a false positive, they'll probably get it fixed in a day or two.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: DanDeighan
The trusted Zone button does not seem to be available in the free AOL version.
At least I don't see it on mine...

No exclusion list for AOL AVS. Have you tried settings > file antivirus > low, or maybe even disable real-time as a test?

 

[GullyFoyle]

I read the FAQ and discovered the Internet disabling was the result of using Windows Firewall on SP2, so I turned that off and now the Internet is working.
I also disabled checking for Spyware, Adware, and Dialers in AVS, so it stopped bugging me about being infected (although this checking is disabled).
I'll send the .dll file to Kaspersky today. Thanks guys!
*** edit: file sent to Kaspersky ***
*** edit2: Response from Kaspersky: "Yes, it is a false alarm. Will be fixed as soon as possible." ***