Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: windgrain on September 14, 2012, 08:26:22 AM
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Would you like to continue to see the google toolbar in setup?
(http://s8.postimage.org/cnqqm3pwl/Untitled.png)
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In a perfect world? Nope. ;)
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after years of using another vendors antivirus, i decided to switch, and after extensive research, i selected avast. its the best i can find, except for the toolbar. Its just unlike a security firm to offer a toolbar, it just feels uneasy.
i know of another company doing the same and they got flack for doing so.
overall, avast is excellent, just no toolbar please.
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Practically I don't need that toolbar but avast! is providing a free software AND they need money to develop it so google is sponsoring avast! via its toolbar and chrome :) :) Untick if you don't want and tick if you want :) :) that's so simple. :) :)
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I answered "No" but in truth, I don't remember ever seeing it.
Is it not in every install or did I just uncheck it without even noticing?
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I think this is not on user hands :)
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I think this is not on user hands :)
Sure it is Tech. If the users complain enought and/or stop using the product until it's fixed, They'll have to listen.
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Would you like to continue to see the google toolbar in setup?
What google toolbar ?
There is an option to install google chrome and to make that the home page, but I saw nothing about a google toolbar and it certainly didn't attempt to install a google toolbar
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1) There is no Google Toolbar
2) There is an opt-out for installing Chrome
3) Complain all you want. It's up to Prague to make this decision.
4) Chrome is the most popular browser. See http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp
5) No, I did not say Chrome was the best...just the most popular. :)
edit: My only complaint concerning Chrome is I don't have access to my Yahoo Mail.
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If there is or isn't, I'm not totally sure but when it comes to 'any toolbar' I am not a Fan; too much potential for security compromise.... :-\ 8)
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I would like to see an image of this tool bar. I have never seen one installed by avast.
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HI I would also like to see this avast toolbar because I never seen a toolbar offered by avast before. But I do now that you can untick a box to install or not install google Chrome browser.
I have been using avast antivirus free for years and have never installed any toolbar from avast ever.
have a great night everyone.
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(http://s8.postimage.org/cnqqm3pwl/Untitled.png)
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That seems to be new. I've never seen it before.
DJBone
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Wow! Thanks for posting this. And this is a paid version. Image shows avast! Pro Antivirus and appears to be an opt-out option. Not very impressive.
Do you have Google Chrome installed? Do you use Internet Explorer as your default browser?
edit: removed quote
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Yup, I came across this crap the other day and did a double take. It is really peeing people off. Avast have shot themselves in the foot with this.
In the last week I have been asked to remove avast from @ 7 laptops and a couple of PC's and replace the AV with another product because people had done a default install and not realised they were going to get Google products added.
Come on avast , toolbars for heavens sakes ????? Very, very stupid move, nobody wants them on their systems.
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(http://s8.postimage.org/cnqqm3pwl/Untitled.png)
I don't remember seeing that when I downloaded Avast.
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<snip image don't want to replicate it every post>
Thanks for posting the image as that makes the point of the topic very clear.
The more interesting observation/point is that this recommendation is in a Paid version, avast! Pro setup, not good at all.
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Some people here before putting other user remarks down, should look carefully for more information.
Thanks for the pic, Windgrain, I was going to ask a friend of mine to send it to me for the forum.
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Its just a toolbar. No big deal. AVG installs a toolbar by default. Norton use to install Ask toolbar. Its just a recommendation. Ignore it. Tons of free and paid software install toolbars. Its up to you to uncheck the option. Even Zone Alarm installs a secure search toolbar.
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Its just a toolbar. No big deal. AVG installs a toolbar by default. Norton use to install Ask toolbar. Its just a recommendation. Ignore it. Tons of free and paid software install toolbars. Its up to you to uncheck the option. Even Zone Alarm installs a secure search toolbar.
It is a big deal when this is pushed in a paid version. No big deal and probably expected in the free version.
(I happen to use and like the Google Toolbar but that's not the question or issue here.)
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Hi windgrain.
What google toolbar? While you already showed us a screenshot of it. Oh, I see others already made that remark. Should have clicked all the way through.
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Its just a toolbar. No big deal. AVG installs a toolbar by default. Norton use to install Ask toolbar. Its just a recommendation. Ignore it. Tons of free and paid software install toolbars. Its up to you to uncheck the option. Even Zone Alarm installs a secure search toolbar.
It is a big deal when this is pushed in a paid version. No big deal and probably expected in the free version.
(I happen to use and like the Google Toolbar but that's not the question or issue here.)
Considering that in the image windgrain posted the option appears to be pre-checked, e.g. opt-out and not opt-in, that is a big deal. We have already seen what happens if there is a problem during the installation and the user gets the pre-selected option as has happened with the pre-selected Google Chrome options in my image in Reply #7 above.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against recommendations/suggestions, etc. but they 'must be opt-in' and not pre-selected opt-out.
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If you are using Firefox later than V.12 it is not possible to have Google Toolbar which is a bit of a pity.
I found it helpful.There is an addon for Firefox users(Googlebar lite)
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Toolbars mainly effect IE users also. Thats why I use Chrome. ;D
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Toolbars mainly effect IE users also. Thats why I use Chrome. ;D
You are again missing the point of this topic. It has nothing to do with what you, I, or we like.
It has to do with what should be bundled in software or forced upon us. Especially if you're using the Paid product.
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Google Toolbar in the any and all avast Paid software? No thanks.
Edit: Didn't see the poll, added my vote.
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OK WHO VOTED YES!!! >:( I WANT A NAME PEOPLE!!!!!
I JOKE I JOKE!!!!! :)
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Wasn't me! The more software evolves the more cautious a user should be. You might end up with something you don't want. :)
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Wasn't me.
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No - don't want to see it in setup or any other place. No toolbars, nothing extra. Just AV please.
Yes, it's simple to unselect, but if you miss it, it'll get in.
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Yes, it's simple to unselect, but if you miss it, it'll get in.
All the more reason to use caution when installing software. As this type of bundling is sure to become more the norm. :)
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The root of the problem is that the option to opt out is in small print, very small print, not plainly obvious Avast hoping you will miss it and it will get installed... Avast you are getting like rest of the vendors - sneaky I call it!
Simple, put up with it or go somewhere else and if this was the case and they lost customers they would soon be having second thoughts, as it is now its only on install but the next stage is that they start pushing it and ramming it down our throats, leaves me to ask what else are they doing without our knowledge.
This is supposed to be a premium service isn't it? Nope wasn't me who voted for it... stand up the real person.
Dave
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All any user should ever do it to "not" just click your way through "any" install. Slow down and use due caution.
And besides it's such a small file and "extremely" simple to uninstall. Personally I do not use not allow toolbars with my browsers.
Just the ones that I "choose". Check my signature. I have three browsers installed. Firefox, Chrome and, Pale Moon. Please don't blame someone else if you fail to be careful. Ignorance is no excuse. :)
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@windgrain
I downloaded avast pro from here -> http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=103687.msg830212#msg830212
I reinstalled it and didn't receive a toolbar recommendation.
The installer digital signature date is August 21, 2012.
Where did you download your avast pro installer?
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@windgrain
I downloaded avast pro from here -> http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=103687.msg830212#msg830212 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=103687.msg830212#msg830212)
I reinstalled it and didn't receive a toolbar recommendation.
The installer digital signature date is August 21, 2012.
Where did you download your avast pro installer?
@Charyb,
Are you currently using the Google Toolbar ???
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@windgrain
I downloaded avast pro from here -> http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=103687.msg830212#msg830212
I reinstalled it and didn't receive a toolbar recommendation.
The installer digital signature date is August 21, 2012.
Where did you download your avast pro installer?
(http://s10.postimage.org/41kdelyjt/Untitled2.png)
nope, still there :-[
OK SOMEONE ELSE JUST VOTED YES!!!!! I WANT THE NAMES!!!!!
(Cocks shotgun) 8)
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@ wingrain,
You're talking about the Pro version but the screenshot is showing the Free version installation screen
With Google Toolbar for IE pre selected.
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@ Bob - No, I haven't installed the toolbar. I haven't made time to give it a try yet. I even uninstalled Google Chrome (cleaned out all user data and google update) before re-installing avast! pro so the only browser on my computer was IE9 and no toolbars.
wingrain,
Where are you downloading the installers (pro and free) from?
Your first post shows an image of pro setup and your most recent post is showing an image of free setup. Why two different installers?
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@ wingrain,
You're talking about the Pro version but the screenshot is showing the Free version installation screen
With Google Toolbar for IE pre selected.
The image wingrain attached in the first post of this topic is for avast Pro.
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I was commenting about the screenshot above my reply. :)
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Guys, this poll is in reality moot as the decision comes from Prague. Not from a poll. 8)
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Not I;
then again, I don't mind having to uncheck something during setup. No biggie to me. I have the paid version; and I always custom-install.
What I would like to see is a customizable option for renewal reminders where I can set it to remind me ONCE at the 1 month till expiry date,
ONCE at the 1 week till expiry date and ONCE per update for the three days prior to the expiry date. But that's for another poll/discussion.
I would especially see avast choose to be unlike the other leading antivirus companies. They could be the ONLY one that doesn't innundate
their customers with unnecessary/unwanted interruptions/additions. They could be the av for people who only want what they sigh up for.
Nothing more; nothing less.
Given that everyone else is doing it, avast! could stand-out by not doing it.
Either way, I have been VERY happy with the protection I have gotten, and I won't reconsider another av until the renewal popups return.
I Luv avast!
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As an ex tech. I have to state I hate "extras" that are pre selected. Most non technical people just do not read the opt out clause and then end up with unwanted cruft. Personally I see this type of marketing as not much more than low level scam ware
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i get the installer packages form here
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
i have a pro version posed on my first post, and the free version later on, both have the toolbar,
i know the decision comes form other people, but am hoping one of them realise that a toolbar wont be of any benefit in any way.
people actually go EEEWWWWW!!! :o when they see toolbars. just like i did, i was ok with it in the free version, but the pro???? :o
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guess i am not the only one
http://www.ghacks.net/2012/02/26/avast-7-will-install-google-chrome-if-you-do-not-pay-attention/
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=2439515
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=327620
http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2012/02/avast-users-frustrated-with-unwanted.html
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With the exception to your wilders link these are all about google chrome, which believe me that horse has been well and truly thrashed in these forums.
The concern is the new issue that you raise about the google toolbar and it being opt-out not opt-in.
I hate toolbars with a vengeance, but they are almost an everyday occurrence (most are also pre-checked/opt-out) installations now that the user really has to be on their guard and read what is on install screens and what may come bundled and uncheck it.
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@windgrain- why do you feel so strongly that the toolbar has no value? Kind of curious why you so strongly oppose it. It gives some extra functionality that if you want to you can use. You don't have to use it. I'm not playing devil's advocate. Just curious why people have such strong feelings?
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Personally I hate toolbars with a vengeance as in many cases they provide the toolbar provider far more information (which they can sell or benefit from) than you actually get in return.
But what gets me more than any toolbar is that the option is pre-selected (opt-out) if there is any problem with an installation you may not see that option so you get it by default and we have seen that very thing with installing google chrome not just a toolbar. For me all toolbar or other additional (non-avast) option should not be pre-selected and the user has to opt-in.
Most people would be blissfully unaware of the google toolbar up until this point, so wouldn't have a clue of what benefit it may bring. For those that aren't unaware of the additional options you mention would have either installed it already or decided they didn't want it.
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@ DavidR.
+1
Precisely. That is why I will use a site such as filehippo to avoid the unnecessary ****. All options should be, IMHO, opt-in, not opt-out. It is, after all, my personal computer, and it is not the vendor's.
Still necessary to watch for unwanted additional stuff, even on files downloaded from filehippo.
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well you never know what a toolbar will do? unless you disassemble it and look at the code???
the reason i hate it is because its another variable, another attack surface, the more stuff is included, the more chances of an exploit occurring, and its the last thing i would want especially with security software which is supposed to prevent such events.
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Considering the current insecure state of IE, using the Google toolbar within that browser might be the safest way to reach places on the net.
I use it to easily get to my gmail while I"m already using IE. ( Not something that happens very often)
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OK WHO VOTED YES!!! >:( I WANT A NAME PEOPLE!!!!!
I JOKE I JOKE!!!!! :)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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now that the poll is over, i hope something is done... ::)
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now that the poll is over, i hope something is done... ::)
Unfortunately, many months later nothing has been done about the situation. Today (May 17, 2013), I received a pop-up notice through my paid installation of avast! Internet Security 8.0 that an update to the program was available. I selected the download directly through the working version. When the installer started the installation of version 8.0.1849, it had that same Google Toolbar installation offer included and pre-selected (opt-out).
I don't recall seeing the Google Toolbar pushed at me during the last program update, but may have automatically declined it and then not thought about it again until now. This is the first thread on the subject that came up in a search of the forum, but I intend to read other threads as well. But even before reading any other threads about the Google Toolbar, I'm guessing that the decision makers at avast! do not care how the users and paid subscribers feel about the subject of pushed, unwanted extra software during installations of avast! products, as it is now well over six months since this thread was started, and nothing has changed.
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Unfortunately, many months later nothing has been done about the situation. Today (May 17, 2013), I received a pop-up notice through my paid installation of avast! Internet Security 8.0 that an update to the program was available. I selected the download directly through the working version. When the installer started the installation of version 8.0.1849, it had that same Google Toolbar installation offer included and pre-selected (opt-out).
I don't recall seeing the Google Toolbar pushed at me during the last program update, but may have automatically declined it and then not thought about it again until now. This is the first thread on the subject that came up in a search of the forum, but I intend to read other threads as well. But even before reading any other threads about the Google Toolbar, I'm guessing that the decision makers at avast! do not care how the users and paid subscribers feel about the subject of pushed, unwanted extra software during installations of avast! products, as it is now well over six months since this thread was started, and nothing has changed.
Same here. I received the notification about a program update, let it install, and after the reboot Google Chrome popped up automatically and was set as the default browser. From what I read here, it is either a problem with letting the update install automatically (as opposed to downloading and installing by hand) OR it is because I, ages ago, tried out Google Chrome (and uninstalled it again) and there are still some leftovers (registry entries etc.) which cause Avast to simply install Google Chrome instead of ASKING first. Either way, it seems we have to live with having to uninstall Google Chrome after each and every Avast update from now on. Which is super annoying.
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I don't want it, I won't have it and it's sneaky Avast cosying up to Google!
Nope I didn't see the tool bar.... after a reinstall I got Chrome installed - no boxes to tick nothing, no boxes to untick! Get it? No Boxes = no options.
I had a BSOD doing a boot scan!!!
And now I don't care! Because Avast is not my main AV at the moment, another AV has taken it's place on my main drive.
Avast seriously needs to get a grip if they want my custom, I hate 'piggy back' installs being forced - why aren't the boxes unchecked by default?
And furthermore-:
Avast needs to consider those folks on 'lowlier' computers, thus allowing one to use an older version of Avast because not everyone wants to use Windows 7, 8 or whatever! Let it be up to the user to update their programs just carry on updating the definitions!
Notice how there's nothing in the sticky section about this - can you see any warnings?
Maybe one or two folks on here who replied to my other posts needs to comprehend what is being said before replying - when I say I saw no options I mean just that.
Dave