I'm about done with Avast

[edm68]

I originally got Avast because it was free and uncomplicated. It served me well, easy to use and no problems as far as I knew. Feeling guilty about getting something for free that did so well, I bought the paid version. That went well until the last year or so. Now I'm getting popups all the time for 'grimefighter' and that low price thing. AARRGGHH! Not to mention if I update my version of Avast and am not paying attention they automatically download Chrome for me. Thanks Avast for using up my limited bandwith downloading something I will uninstall 2 days later. And to top it off every time I open Firefox after I've cleared history or cookies I get another tab opened up from Avast that tells me nothing, it's just annoying. My subscription ends in Sept or Oct so I might hang in till then.

[Eddy]

1)
the popups for GrimeFighter are gone in the latest version (2014.9.0.2016)

2)
Just set avast to not use Chrome as default browser and it will not automatically download/install Chrome.

3)
Bandwidth is not something avast can do about.
That is all up to you.

4)
There is a way to close the tab in FireFox and never have it automatically open again.
This has been explained many times already.
Please use the search option on this webboard before posting.

[edm68]

Thanks for replying Eddy. As I mentioned before the reason I liked Avast at the start was because of it's simple interface yet effective protection.

1 - That's good to hear. I haven't seen that low price thing in a while, is that gone also?

2 - I've opened Avast and searched how to do this, can't seem to find it. Not sure why Avast seems so intent on installing Chrome on my machine?

3 - I was mistaken in saying bandwith. I meant data usage. And I think it is something Avast can do about when they are downloading Chrome because I forget to uncheck a box. The Chrome folder is over 400 MB.

4 - I did use the search option before I posted my original post. Was unable to find anything relevant. Click here, go there, click there, etc. Go around in circles. Again it comes down to the easy to use thing.

I really enjoyed Avast before because it was so automatic and unobtrusive. Now I have to search forums and ask questions? Never had to do that before. I guess that's progress?

Not to mention the very annoying and unreadable Captcha phrase that needs to be entered to post. Even though I'm logged in. Tried the sound version and it sounded like backwards records being played. Oh well, refresh, refresh, etc.

[Eddy]

1)
Yes, it should be gone.

2)
start avast > settings > troubleshooting.
Put a checkmark in front of "do not use Chrome as avast default browser"

3)
Personally I use Opera
Only takes about 235Mb on the harddrive and works a lot faster than other browsers.
It is up to you ofcourse, but you may want to give it a try.

4)
Searching is a skill by itself.
Many (most?) people can't find what they are looking for although it is there.
Basically it comes down to choosing the correct keywords.
Hmm, perhaps I should write a little tutorial for it
If you use Google as search engine, have a look at GoogleGuide
It has a lot of tips, trics etc that can be used.

5)
Five? Ok, there isn't a fifth thing. HaHaHa
Ah well, lets make it.
A tip: Set avast to only notify you when there is a program update.
If you get the notification, visit this webboard.
The new update will be mentioned here in a thread called 2014.9.0.2018 (if that is the version number of the next release)
Choose the online installer and when it starts select custom install.
Since you can (de-)select things that way, the download would be as small as possible.
Only the things you need/want will be downloaded.

Don't worry about the captcha. It will only be there the first 3(?) posts you make.
It is there to help prevent spammers, advertisers and other not wanted people posting here.

I hope this post helps you out with things.
Let me (us) know if there is anything else we can try to help you with.

[MikePerry]

Re the constant offering of Chrome with every download of Avast. 

Whenever I download and start the install it always offers to install Google Chrome and make it the default browser as the option is always pre-selected, making it foistware for users who do not wish to use Chrome. It is considered by many to be bad practice to force users to have something they did not opt for initially and hence the term 'foistware' is often used for these pre-selected downloads. It is highly annoying as many people do unattended installs of things they think they know well enough to trust.

Advice from a software veteran is to not have these options pre-selected, but still visible for those who do want it.

Personally I always deselect them in any installer and also search for any settings that hijack by browser or home page.  I know you get some benefit from hyping Google products, but that is not what users of Avast asked for nor want.

[Pondus]

Advice from a software veteran is to not have these options pre-selected, but still visible for those who do want it.

recomended Unchecky.    http://unchecky.com

[bob3160]

Advice from a software veteran is to not have these options pre-selected, but still visible for those who do want it.

Some further advice is that any time you install any software, you always use the custom install not the default method.
Using custom means you get to uncheck the items you don't want.

[Para-Noid]

The biggest problem is that a lot of these weird install seem to happen to those who update via the GUI.
It happened with Chrome and now it appears to happen with Drop Box. Until avast has specific screen
which will "not" disappear unless the user takes action these weird installs will continue unabated.

[bob3160]

The biggest problem is that a lot of these weird install seem to happen to those who update via the GUI.
It happened with Chrome and now it appears to happen with Drop Box. Until avast has specific screen
which will "not" disappear unless the user takes action these weird installs will continue unabated.

That's a wish that may never be realized.
There is an option available to uncheck the installation but it requires some diligence
on the part of the person doing the update:

http://youtu.be/YUDTLn6dMKk

[Para-Noid]

My comment was about updating the program through the GUI.
I agree the best method is to download the full installer then do a custom install.
One must use due caution and take the time to read each and every screen or
a user might end up with something they do not want.

[bob3160]

My comment was about updating the program through the GUI.
I agree the best method is to download the full installer then do a custom install.
One must use due caution and take the time to read each and every screen or
a user might end up with something they do not want.

Even through the GUI, it still shows you an option where you can uncheck DropBox.

[Para-Noid]

Evidently not always. It seems some users update via the GUI and do not get that screen neither during install nor after reboot.

[bob3160]

Evidently not always. It seems some users update via the GUI and do not get that screen neither during install nor after reboot.

Not getting the screen or missing it are two different things. I've accidently missed unchecking the option.
I've never not seen the screen.

[REDACTED]

Thanks for all the replies.
Old thread, I know. Last time I checked in on this forum was down due to attack I guess?
Anyways, still getting the very annoying pricecheck thing. Gives an option to disable for 24 hrs but not indefinitely?
I've got about 100 days on my paid subscription and am pretty much still done with Avast. Is a shame since they used to have such simple and effective antivirus. I still get the thing at top of screen telling me I can save $2-$3 shopping at some site I never heard of, while I don't know about shipping, time, etc. Not to mention the more places my card # is the less secure it is.

[Asyn]

Anyways, still getting the very annoying pricecheck thing. Gives an option to disable for 24 hrs but not indefinitely?

-> http://blog.avast.com/2014/03/27/how-does-avast-safeprice-work/