
avast-security-awareness
Recognize and avoid malicious software distribution repositories disguised as legitimate security tools
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/reason-machines/security-skills --skill avast-security-awareness- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads avast-security-awareness automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Avast Security Awareness Skill
Skill by ara.so — Security Skills collection.
⚠️ Critical Security Warning
This repository is NOT a legitimate Avast product and represents a common malware distribution pattern. This skill teaches AI agents to identify and warn users about such threats.
What This Skill Does
This skill enables AI coding agents to:
- Recognize malicious software distribution repositories
- Identify red flags in repository descriptions and content
- Educate users on safe software acquisition practices
- Prevent installation of potentially malicious software
- Guide users to legitimate security software sources
Identifying Malicious Repository Patterns
Red Flags Present in This Repository
- Suspicious Keywords: "Keygen", "Crack", "Pre-Activated", "Loader", "Serial"
- Version Manipulation: Claims of future versions (2026 when current year is earlier)
- No Source Code: No actual implementation despite claiming to be a Go project
- Artificial Engagement: Star velocity inconsistent with legitimate projects
- Missing Documentation: No README or legitimate setup instructions
- License Issues: NOASSERTION license for "open source" security software
- Mismatched Topics: Topics like "retdec" unrelated to described functionality
Detection Code Example (Go)
package malwaredetect
import (
"strings"
"regexp"
)
type RepositoryAnalyzer struct {
SuspiciousKeywords []string
MinimumREADMELength int
}
func NewAnalyzer() *RepositoryAnalyzer {
return &RepositoryAnalyzer{
SuspiciousKeywords: []string{
"keygen", "crack", "pre-activated", "loader",
"serial", "full version", "setup keygen",
},
MinimumREADMELength: 100,
}
}
func (a *RepositoryAnalyzer) AnalyzeRepository(description, readme string) (bool, []string) {
var warnings []string
isSuspicious := false
// Check for suspicious keywords
descLower := strings.ToLower(description)
for _, keyword := range a.SuspiciousKeywords {
if strings.Contains(descLower, keyword) {
warnings = append(warnings, "Contains suspicious keyword: "+keyword)
isSuspicious = true
}
}
// Check for missing or minimal README
if len(readme) < a.MinimumREADMELength {
warnings = append(warnings, "Missing or insufficient documentation")
isSuspicious = true
}
// Check for premium software offered for free
premiumPattern := regexp.MustCompile(`(?i)(premium|pro|full version).*free`)
if premiumPattern.MatchString(descLower) {
warnings = append(warnings, "Claims to offer premium software for free")
isSuspicious = true
}
return isSuspicious, warnings
}
func (a *RepositoryAnalyzer) GetSecurityRecommendation(repoName string) string {
return "Do not download or execute files from " + repoName + ". " +
"Obtain security software only from official vendor websites."
}
Safe Security Software Practices
Legitimate Sources
Always obtain security software from:
package securitysources
var LegitimateSecurityVendors = map[string]string{
"Avast": "https://www.avast.com/",
"Norton": "https://www.norton.com/",
"Bitdefender": "https://www.bitdefender.com/",
"Kaspersky": "https://www.kaspersky.com/",
"ESET": "https://www.eset.com/",
}
func GetOfficialDownloadURL(vendor string) (string, bool) {
url, exists := LegitimateSecurityVendors[vendor]
return url, exists
}
User Warning System
package userwarning
import (
"fmt"
"os"
)
type SecurityAlert struct {
Severity string
Message string
Action string
}
func CreateCriticalAlert(repoName string) SecurityAlert {
return SecurityAlert{
Severity: "CRITICAL",
Message: fmt.Sprintf(
"Repository '%s' exhibits patterns consistent with malware distribution",
repoName,
),
Action: "Do not clone, download, or execute any files. Report repository to platform.",
}
}
func DisplayAlert(alert SecurityAlert) {
fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "\n🚨 [%s] SECURITY ALERT\n", alert.Severity)
fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "⚠️ %s\n", alert.Message)
fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "✋ ACTION REQUIRED: %s\n\n", alert.Action)
}
Agent Response Pattern
When a user asks about this or similar repositories:
package agentresponse
import "fmt"
func RespondToSuspiciousRepo(repoURL string) string {
return fmt.Sprintf(`⛔ SECURITY WARNING ⛔
The repository at %s appears to be a malware distribution site.
RED FLAGS:
- Offers "cracked" or "pre-activated" commercial software
- Contains suspicious keywords (keygen, loader, serial)
- No legitimate source code or documentation
- Illegal distribution of copyrighted software
RISKS:
- Malware installation (trojans, ransomware, spyware)
- Credential theft
- System compromise
- Legal consequences for software piracy
SAFE ALTERNATIVE:
Visit the official Avast website: https://www.avast.com/
Use free legitimate versions or purchase licenses directly.
DO NOT:
❌ Clone this repository
❌ Download any files
❌ Run any executables
❌ Enter credentials
DO:
✅ Report this repository to GitHub
✅ Use official software sources only
✅ Keep your antivirus updated from legitimate sources
`, repoURL)
}
Reporting Malicious Repositories
# Report to GitHub (use web interface)
# Navigate to repository → Settings → Report content
# Verify legitimate software signatures
# Windows example:
signtool verify /pa /v "downloaded_file.exe"
# Check file hash against official vendor checksums
# Linux/macOS:
sha256sum downloaded_file.exe
# Compare with official vendor website hash
Environment Variables for Security Checks
# Configure security scanning thresholds
export MALWARE_SCAN_ENABLED=true
export REPO_VERIFICATION_LEVEL=strict
export WARN_ON_MISSING_README=true
export BLOCK_KEYGEN_KEYWORDS=true
Conclusion
This skill equips AI agents to protect users from malware distribution disguised as legitimate software repositories. Always prioritize user safety by identifying threats and providing secure alternatives.
Remember: Legitimate security software vendors never distribute through unofficial GitHub repositories with activation cracks or keygens.
FAQ
What does the avast-security-awareness skill do?
Recognize and avoid malicious software distribution repositories disguised as legitimate security tools
How do I install avast-security-awareness?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/reason-machines/security-skills --skill avast-security-awareness in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/avast-security-awareness/ (personal) or .claude/skills/avast-security-awareness/ (project).
Which AI agents can use avast-security-awareness?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is avast-security-awareness safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains avast-security-awareness?
It is published by reason-machines in reason-machines/security-skills. It has 1,087 recorded installs.
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