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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: mchain on November 24, 2013, 05:45:28 AM

Title: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: mchain on November 24, 2013, 05:45:28 AM
Win 7 system.  XP system also.

See attached below.  Not at all an issue, this is FYI to devs.  Appears when system is cold-booted and there is a vps update waiting to be installed for that day.  Been happening last three days.

Workaround is to click the sys tray avast! icon and select About avast! to see the new vps.   ;)
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: abruptum on November 24, 2013, 09:07:55 AM
Same here.

Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: DavidR on November 24, 2013, 01:54:18 PM
I'm sure that both of have probably seen many of the topics relating to the auto update update notification bug and this is just another related issue, e.g. a different toaster popup.

Its been happening for much longer than three days, the problem is for many it is an intermittent problem. That said there was a short period where I thought the bug had been squashed only to return.

The popup is actually meant to be the auto update notification (check your avastUI > Settings > Update and you will see that an auto update has just taken place. It appears that these tips/ad popups are piggybacked onto the auto update notification popup and this looks like it messes up the display and sound for the auto update notifications.

1. no auto update notification popup (commonly displays an avast! tip - Ad, instead).
2. no audio voice over for the auto update.
3. the popup delay timings don't appear to work either.
These tips popups have in the past been piggybacked with the auto update update notification, so the only way to get rid of them would be to disable the auto update notification, which if you want the update notification (when it works correctly) would remove everything.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: Rohugh on November 24, 2013, 03:34:50 PM
Just had todays VPS update and the pop-up was for the VPN notice.  It's not a problem but a little annoying as it is automatically assumed that that is what it was,  just a little advert.  Without further checking I would not have known there was a VPS update.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: Gopher John on November 24, 2013, 03:43:11 PM
With Avast 8, when I got the popup with the ad I could still right click on the Avast tray icon and select "Show last popup message".  Then it would show the VPS version, etc.  Now, all it shows is the ad again.

The above was on my WinXP Pro machine.  When I turned on the Win7 laptop, it updated all the streaming updates, then a few minutes later 131124-0 VPS update came down.  The popup was correct, with no ad.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: abruptum on November 24, 2013, 04:21:43 PM
I received normal 131124-0 VPS update with sound after reboot.
Before reboot I deleted Avast emupdate from start up.
Don't know if that is connected.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: mchain on November 24, 2013, 07:59:23 PM
Thank all of you for replying. 

Could be that running emupdate is impacting normal VPS announcements, but that is yet to be determined by avast! team members.  I'm sure they're looking into this issue.  We, as users, really can't do anything nor should we do anything, about this issue beyond reporting it here, or else begin a support ticket with avast! and wait for a reply from there.

2014 or 9.0.2008 versions are a major upgrade from the previous build version, with a compete re-write of coding in some areas from what I can see.  Changes certainly go far beyond what a normal user can see from the gui alone.  It's helpful to keep this in mind as we go along here. 

Some bugs are to be expected, unfortunately.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: DavidR on November 24, 2013, 10:42:36 PM
Considering the VPS Update bug pre-dates this (goes back to late RC and early 9.0.2006 builds) 'new' emupdate and still exists for many even after it. I think it is somewhat of a stretch to speculate on that as the cause.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: mchain on November 25, 2013, 01:07:38 AM
Thank you for that DavidR.

I received normal 131124-0 VPS update with sound after reboot.
Before reboot I deleted Avast emupdate from start up.
Don't know if that is connected.
Can say with certainty, with emupdate left totally untouched here, the VPS update pop-ups are back to the usual.  Just happened a few minutes ago.  But correct only for the Win 7 system, XP updated a few hours earlier and was the same as days before.  VPS now is 131124-1 for Win 7 and 131124-0 for the other.  XP is not connected atm.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: DavidR on November 25, 2013, 01:13:18 AM
Thank you for that DavidR.

I received normal 131124-0 VPS update with sound after reboot.
Before reboot I deleted Avast emupdate from start up.
Don't know if that is connected.
Can say with certainty, with emupdate left totally untouched here, the VPS update pop-ups are back to the usual.  Just happened a few minutes ago.  But correct only for the Win 7 system, XP updated a few hours earlier and was the same as days before.  VPS now is 131124-1 for Win 7 and 131124-0 for the other.  XP is not connected atm.

I haven't touched it either allowed it in winpatrol and it is completely intact.

This is the popup I got and no voice-over and it didn't disappear on 2 seconds as my normal update notification popup should. Checking the avastUI > Settings > Update showed I had just received the VPS update.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: mchain on November 25, 2013, 02:38:13 AM
Since it seems fixed here, that fix should be coming your way soon.   ;D
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: Gopher John on November 25, 2013, 03:09:09 AM
Since it seems fixed here, that fix should be coming your way soon.   ;D

I got the normal VPS update popup fo 131124-0 on this WIN 7 laptop, but the 131124-1 update triggered the vpn advertisement again.  I've only had this issue for the past couple of days.  Before all was normal.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: DavidR on November 25, 2013, 03:10:43 AM
Since it seems fixed here, that fix should be coming your way soon.   ;D

I rather doubt that fix had anything to do with this as it has already been run, I have been having this intermittently for some time. And intermittent issues are the hardest to pinpoint. For me this isn't anything I'm greatly concerned with just reporting what is still happening.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: leftisthominid on November 25, 2013, 04:32:41 AM
I did not get an update notification for 24-1, but I did get a VPN ad instead. That said, I did get my update.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: olddog on November 25, 2013, 06:45:46 AM
Avast do seem to be experiencing ongoing difficulties fixing this problem, so perhaps a suggestion:-

(a) Use the emergency update mechanism to remove all of the pop up adverts that are presently using some or all of the same code used for the VPS notification. 

(b) That should simplify the process enough to enable it to be made reliable, and at the same time stop the annoyance for the users.

(c) Only reinstate the pop up adverts when a process for displaying them that doesn't make use of the VPS notification has been developed and properly tested.  :)
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: Staticguy on November 25, 2013, 10:00:17 AM
Same here.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: Rohugh on November 25, 2013, 01:17:10 PM
Heh,  back to the correct VPS update notification with 131125-0.    No VPN advert.   :)
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: abruptum on November 26, 2013, 02:41:04 PM
Here we go AGAIN.
I just received 131126-0 VPS update masked with VPN pop-up ad.
I don't mind to see ads from Avast from time to time,but I want to see (and hear) normal
VPS update notifications.
Silence from Avast team members is deafening.
 
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: olddog on November 27, 2013, 11:32:52 PM
Here we go AGAIN.
I just received 131126-0 VPS update masked with VPN pop-up ad.
I don't mind to see ads from Avast from time to time,but I want to see (and hear) normal
VPS update notifications.
Silence from Avast team members is deafening.

Yes, it's back to getting it wrong again here with 121127-2 as well
Pity Avast don't use their "emergency update" procedure to disable all of the adverts until they can get their head around the problem.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: mchain on November 28, 2013, 09:34:46 AM
Seems some still have this issue.  DavidR has said as much, but it is intermittent for him, comes and goes, works sometimes as it should, sometimes not.

I'd expect the same to happen here from time to time.  This issue really does not bother me.  What's more important is the fact that avast! works properly in protecting my system(s) from harm.  This it has done, and done it well.  No infections whatsoever; all have been blocked straightaway and no damage to my systems.  It's certainly better than the old paid Norton a/v I used to use years ago.

I started this topic to report what I saw, and nothing more, and share that fact with other users.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: happy avast user on November 28, 2013, 11:51:14 AM
Hi all,

Yesterday when the VPS was updated I got the VPN popup notification nothing and no information on the virus database update NO Voice over just popup message.

Today when the VPS was updated I got a popup notification about Whats your AVAST IQ?  Take a break and test your AVAST knowledge.  Have fun learn and win free licenses and teddy bears!  Still NO SOUND or Voice Over when virus database is updated and no info about VPS update:(

According to pavels this current program update (9.0.2008) was supposed to fix this problem and issue but clearly it has not. :(:(:(
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: Rohugh on November 28, 2013, 01:58:45 PM
Reading this thread I checked my update and had 131128-0 ten minutes ago,  but no pop-up - advert or otherwise.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: Staticguy on November 28, 2013, 07:09:47 PM
I gave a support ticket to Avast about this issue. Hope to get a reply soon!
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: mchain on November 28, 2013, 10:29:05 PM
Whilst the vpn updates are important, they are not as important to users here as they were previously in prior versions, such as 4.8, 5.0, and 6.0.  Beginning with version 7.0, streaming updates were introduced, and enhanced in version 8.0, and finally brought to their current level in 2014.9.0.

With the current level, we now have as many as +400 streaming updates per day, which are basically just-in-time updates for more complete protection against new malware, whereas with earlier versions we had to wait for the daily updates issued 1x-2x a day.

avast! has delivered on their promises here, and the result is increased protection, not less.

So, if I see an advert pop-up instead of the expected vpn notification, I don't really pay it too much mind, knowing that the above is true.  The workaround with checking About avast! will always display that an update to the vps database has just happened; erroneous notifications do not affect proper operation of avast here at all.  It's always a good idea to keep this in mind.

True that avast! is the most important program running on one's system, and expectations are such that one expects all features to work perfectly out-of-the-box.  Doesn't always happen.

This is a minor issue, IMO.  It does not affect proper operation and protection by avast!

I did see another pop-up just now other that the expected one when the vps updated to version 131128-1.  It's really not that important, and for a bit there, it was back to the expected operation.  Seems it comes and goes, but that's OK.   ;)

Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: leftisthominid on December 16, 2013, 07:17:19 AM
is it me or is the pop-up/audio not coming problem restarting?
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: olddog on December 16, 2013, 07:42:24 AM
is it me or is the pop-up/audio not coming problem restarting?

I hadn't noticed the issue was ever fixed, in fact I'm beginning to doubt Avast really care about it, as long as their advertisements appear. When a notification to do with a core issue doesn't work reliably because it uses some of the same routines as non core advertising, and the developers can't see why that's happening, it's time to separate the two functions entirely, even though that might mean some code duplication.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: davidjtsteele on December 16, 2013, 06:19:59 PM
I think that the two will perhaps especially relating to auto update notification and only activate this issue, eg, different Pop-up.

I have been increasingly this for many years, the problem for many of us is a problem from time to time. If you say there is a short period of time I think the virus has only been squashed to return.
Title: Re: VPN Pop-up instead of vps update notification?
Post by: Para-Noid on December 16, 2013, 06:37:59 PM
is it me or is the pop-up/audio not coming problem restarting?

Again, it's a known issue. IMHO a very minor one.
I get continuous streaming updates so I'm covered.
Since v2014 is on a different update cycle than previous versions
it does not make sense to check the vps update history.
And I seldom check to see if my vps is current. CSU has my back.

The audio issue is also know.