Imported from reason-machines/security-skills (skills/avast-premium-security-malware-detection/SKILL.md) via skills.sh. Install upstream with npx skills add reason-machines/security-skills --skill avast-premium-security-malware-detection. Copyright stays with the author.

Avast Premium Security Malware Detection

Skill by ara.so — Security Skills collection.

⚠️ Critical Security Warning

This project is NOT legitimate Avast software. It exhibits multiple red flags indicating it is likely distributing:

• Pirated/cracked software
• Malware disguised as security tools
• Keygens and unauthorized activation tools
• Potentially harmful payloads

What This Repository Actually Is

This is a malware distribution repository that uses deceptive tactics:

Red Flags Identified

1. Unauthorized Distribution: Avast Corporation does not distribute software via GitHub with "keygen" or "pre-activated" labels
2. Suspicious Keywords: "Keygen", "Loader", "Serial", "Pre-Activated", "Crack"
3. Fake Engagement: Artificially inflated stars (68 stars, 5/day) with 0 forks and 0 issues
4. No Source Code: C++ repository with no README or visible source
5. Future Date: Created date shows 2026 (impossible timestamp)
6. Trademark Abuse: Unauthorized use of Avast brand name

Detection Patterns

Repository Analysis

// Pattern detection for malicious repos
#include <string>
#include <vector>
#include <regex>

struct MalwareIndicators {
    std::vector<std::string> suspicious_keywords = {
        "keygen", "crack", "loader", "pre-activated",
        "serial", "license key", "full version",
        "premium", "pro version", "activation"
    };
    
    bool checkDescription(const std::string& desc) {
        std::string lower_desc = desc;
        std::transform(lower_desc.begin(), lower_desc.end(), 
                      lower_desc.begin(), ::tolower);
        
        int score = 0;
        for (const auto& keyword : suspicious_keywords) {
            if (lower_desc.find(keyword) != std::string::npos) {
                score++;
            }
        }
        
        // 3+ suspicious keywords = likely malware
        return score >= 3;
    }
    
    bool checkMetrics(int stars, int forks, int issues) {
        // High stars but no community engagement
        if (stars > 50 && forks == 0 && issues == 0) {
            return true;
        }
        return false;
    }
};

Legitimate Source Verification

#include <map>
#include <string>

class SecuritySoftwareValidator {
public:
    std::map<std::string, std::string> legitimate_sources = {
        {"avast", "https://www.avast.com/"},
        {"avg", "https://www.avg.com/"},
        {"norton", "https://www.norton.com/"},
        {"kaspersky", "https://www.kaspersky.com/"}
    };
    
    bool isLegitimateSource(const std::string& product, 
                           const std::string& source_url) {
        auto it = legitimate_sources.find(product);
        if (it != legitimate_sources.end()) {
            return source_url.find(it->second) != std::string::npos;
        }
        return false;
    }
    
    std::string getOfficialDownload(const std::string& product) {
        auto it = legitimate_sources.find(product);
        if (it != legitimate_sources.end()) {
            return it->second;
        }
        return "Unknown product";
    }
};

Security Analysis Workflow

Step 1: Repository Metadata Check

struct RepoMetadata {
    std::string description;
    int stars;
    int forks;
    int issues;
    std::string language;
    bool has_readme;
    std::string creation_date;
};

bool analyzeThreatLevel(const RepoMetadata& repo) {
    MalwareIndicators detector;
    
    // Check description for suspicious terms
    if (detector.checkDescription(repo.description)) {
        std::cout << "[CRITICAL] Suspicious keywords detected\n";
        return true;
    }
    
    // Check engagement metrics
    if (detector.checkMetrics(repo.stars, repo.forks, repo.issues)) {
        std::cout << "[WARNING] Artificial engagement pattern\n";
        return true;
    }
    
    // Check for missing documentation
    if (!repo.has_readme && repo.stars > 10) {
        std::cout << "[WARNING] No README in popular repo\n";
        return true;
    }
    
    return false;
}

Step 2: Content Analysis

#include <filesystem>
#include <fstream>

class ContentScanner {
public:
    std::vector<std::string> dangerous_extensions = {
        ".exe", ".dll", ".bat", ".cmd", ".ps1", 
        ".vbs", ".js", ".scr", ".com"
    };
    
    std::vector<std::string> scanForExecutables(
        const std::string& repo_path) {
        std::vector<std::string> found_executables;
        
        for (const auto& entry : 
             std::filesystem::recursive_directory_iterator(repo_path)) {
            if (entry.is_regular_file()) {
                std::string ext = entry.path().extension().string();
                if (isExecutable(ext)) {
                    found_executables.push_back(entry.path().string());
                }
            }
        }
        
        return found_executables;
    }
    
private:
    bool isExecutable(const std::string& extension) {
        return std::find(dangerous_extensions.begin(), 
                        dangerous_extensions.end(), 
                        extension) != dangerous_extensions.end();
    }
};

Safe Alternatives

Official Avast Download

#include <iostream>

void provideOfficialSource() {
    std::cout << "Official Avast Downloads:\n";
    std::cout << "Free Antivirus: https://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download\n";
    std::cout << "Premium Security: https://www.avast.com/premium-security\n";
    std::cout << "\nNEVER download security software from:\n";
    std::cout << "- GitHub repositories\n";
    std::cout << "- File sharing sites\n";
    std::cout << "- Torrent sites\n";
    std::cout << "- Sites offering 'cracked' or 'pre-activated' versions\n";
}

Reporting Malicious Repositories

GitHub Abuse Report

struct AbuseReport {
    std::string repo_url;
    std::string violation_type;
    std::string evidence;
    
    void generateReport() {
        std::cout << "=== GitHub Abuse Report ===\n";
        std::cout << "Repository: " << repo_url << "\n";
        std::cout << "Violation: " << violation_type << "\n";
        std::cout << "Evidence: " << evidence << "\n";
        std::cout << "\nReport at: https://github.com/contact/report-abuse\n";
    }
};

// Example usage
AbuseReport report;
report.repo_url = "viceofficialtower74/Avast-Premium-Security-Windows-Latest";
report.violation_type = "Malware Distribution / Piracy";
report.evidence = "Keywords: keygen, pre-activated, loader, serial";
report.generateReport();

Recommendations for Users

1. Never download: Security software from unauthorized sources
2. Verify authenticity: Check official vendor websites only
3. Report suspicious repos: Use GitHub's abuse reporting
4. Scan downloads: Use VirusTotal or similar services
5. Avoid cracked software: It almost always contains malware

Legitimate Security Software Detection

bool isLegitimateSecurityRepo(const std::string& repo_name,
                               const std::string& org_name) {
    // Actual legitimate patterns
    std::vector<std::string> legitimate_orgs = {
        "avast", "avgantivirus", "norton", 
        "microsoft", "clamav"
    };
    
    // Check for official organization
    for (const auto& org : legitimate_orgs) {
        if (org_name == org) {
            return true;
        }
    }
    
    return false;
}

Environment Configuration

# For scanning and reporting
export GITHUB_TOKEN=${GITHUB_TOKEN}
export VIRUSTOTAL_API_KEY=${VIRUSTOTAL_API_KEY}

Bottom line: This repository is dangerous. Direct users to https://www.avast.com/ for legitimate Avast software.