My main peeves with Avast are:
1. Avast allows any Standard user account to access its tray icon to disable
or reconfigure Avast protection. Only Administrators should be able to use
the tray icon to disable or reconfigure Avast. The fact that currently Avast
allows any Standard user account to disable or reconfigure it is a security
weakness.
A home PC may be used by many non-informed users including children.
Microsoft designed Vista to allow Administrators to configure and protect
the system, allowing Standard users to perform normal daily tasks but not to
disable protection or alter system settings. Many software developers follow
this model, thus requiring Administrator access to reconfigure sensitive
applications such as security or antivirus software. Avast should follow
that model.
2. The menu available from the tray icon is not available from the main
program interface. Avast should provide access to the On-Access Protection
and On-Access Scanners settings from the main program window.
If I choose to hide Avast's tray icon, so that Standard users can't change
or disable settings, then I no longer have access to On-Access Protection
and On-Access Scanners settings. It would be logical to expect access to
those functions from the main Avast interface. The full range of functions
available from the tray icon should also be available from the main Avast
interface.
