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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on July 28, 2016, 08:01:18 PM

Title: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: REDACTED on July 28, 2016, 08:01:18 PM
Today I updated Avast Free and after rebooting I had SafePrice added without wanting it. I had to uninstall it again via setup...

NOT GOOD!

Apart from that, in the options the software is trying to convince the user to install components by using the oposite word "uninstall"... when you click on it, the component will be installed!
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: avaster78 on July 28, 2016, 08:11:54 PM
I have safeprice installed (it's checked in the setup), but i don't see it anywhere else.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Eddy on July 28, 2016, 08:12:26 PM
The "deinstallieren" looks like a translation error to me.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: DavidR on July 28, 2016, 10:50:32 PM
Today I updated Avast Free and after rebooting I had SafePrice added without wanting it. I had to uninstall it again via setup...

NOT GOOD!

Apart from that, in the options the software is trying to convince the user to install components by using the oposite word "uninstall"... when you click on it, the component will be installed!


If you did a custom install at the start you would see all components that would be installed by default, you could uncheck unwanted options then.

Unfortunately the Component function in the avastUI shows all modules that are installed, with exception to the two avast browser plugins. These have to be used using the control panel > programs & features > avast antivirus > change.

This really is bad news they should be able to be removed from the avastUI > components screen.

I'm not entirely sure if any of the installed components can actually be uninstalled from the the avastUI > components screen, only switched off. For that you would have to go to the control panel > programs & features > avast antivirus > change. This really is another flaw in design if they can't be removed you have to take another action, kind of makes this option very weak.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Alikhan on July 28, 2016, 10:53:22 PM
I had done a custom install before without no browser extension/Safeprice...

After the update, Safeprice and Avast Online Security were enabled without permission.

So there is an issue here...
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: DavidR on July 28, 2016, 11:06:44 PM
@ Alikhan
The OPs image clearly shows both in the custom/setup screen and they were both there in mine on a custom install. No idea why they weren't there on yours.

Though you said:
I had done a custom install before without no browser extension/Safeprice...
<snip>

Not sure if, before means on a different version of for this installation.

I believe the avastUI 'should' also offer uninstall of a module and not just disable. Not to mention it should have all component, including browser extensions, otherwise it is not as good as it could be,
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Alikhan on July 28, 2016, 11:09:46 PM
@ Alikhan
The OPs image clearly shows both in the custom/setup screen and they were both there in mine on a custom install. No idea why they weren't there on yours.

Though you said:
I had done a custom install before without no browser extension/Safeprice...
<snip>

Not sure if, before means on a different version of for this installation.

I believe the avastUI 'should' also offer uninstall of a module and not just disable. Not to mention it should have all component, including browser extensions, otherwise it is not as good as it could be,

Let me clarify,

Before I had done a custom install with the previous version without the Safe Price and browser extensions. Today I did an update from within Avast GUI and rebooted, behold the extensions came without any permission.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: REDACTED on July 29, 2016, 02:40:09 AM
@DavidR

Maybe one way to resolve going forward is the "Custom Install" screen comes up on all "over the top" updates....not just clean install ?
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: REDACTED on July 29, 2016, 02:40:54 AM
@ Alikhan
The OPs image clearly shows both in the custom/setup screen and they were both there in mine on a custom install. No idea why they weren't there on yours.

Though you said:
I had done a custom install before without no browser extension/Safeprice...
<snip>

Not sure if, before means on a different version of for this installation.

I believe the avastUI 'should' also offer uninstall of a module and not just disable. Not to mention it should have all component, including browser extensions, otherwise it is not as good as it could be,

Let me clarify,

Before I had done a custom install with the previous version without the Safe Price and browser extensions. Today I did an update from within Avast GUI and rebooted, behold the extensions came without any permission.

Very frustrating....just tried it and did same for me (previous Custom/Clean) install then today an over the top update......bang....guess what....new unwanted stuff.
I just don't get it with these guys.  >:(
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=189131.msg1327673#msg1327673
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on July 29, 2016, 09:55:35 AM
It happened to me too.

I just got the notice to update. I did, and rebooted. After the reboot SafePrice was installed.

My Avast is and was a custom install with only a few components selected (the three Shields, nothing else). During the update it is not asked if I would like to install new components such as SafePrice.

Stop foisting unwanted crap on us without asking. Do you want us to not trust you?? Because that is what you are accomplishing.

Now I get to mail everybody I ever installed Avast for on their machine, and try to explain to them how to remove this and other components that were never asked for. AGAIN! It's a pain in the ass and it is pissing me off.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Asyn on July 29, 2016, 10:06:46 AM
See: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=189131.msg1327664#msg1327664
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: REDACTED on July 29, 2016, 10:39:37 AM
It happened to me too.

I just got the notice to update. I did, and rebooted. After the reboot SafePrice was installed.

My Avast is and was a custom install with only a few components selected (the three Shields, nothing else). During the update it is not asked if I would like to install new components such as SafePrice.

Stop foisting unwanted crap on us without asking. Do you want us to not trust you?? Because that is what you are accomplishing.

Now I get to mail everybody I ever installed Avast for on their machine, and try to explain to them how to remove this and other components that were never asked for. AGAIN! It's a pain in the ass and it is pissing me off.

The same just happened to me. Avast is becoming a conduit for PUPs.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on July 29, 2016, 10:39:52 AM
See: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=189131.msg1327664#msg1327664

And see https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=189131.msg1327673#msg1327673 for a response I fully agree with.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Asyn on July 29, 2016, 10:51:10 AM
As I understand it, it shouldn't happen in the future anymore. Well, let's see...
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on July 29, 2016, 11:51:39 AM
Let's hope so. The recent SafeZone debacle doesn't instill much confidence though. The same thing was basically said.  :-\
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Asyn on July 29, 2016, 11:55:41 AM
1. Let's hope so.
2. The recent SafeZone debacle doesn't instill much confidence though. The same thing was basically said.  :-\
1. +1
2. Probably the reason why the components menu got added.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: petr.chytil on July 29, 2016, 02:46:19 PM
Hi everyone,

without dancing around it, I have to admit the unpleasant fact. Even though we tried to make it easier for users to remove SafePrice extension from browsers, we managed to introduce pretty nasty bug in the update process.  :-[

Previous versions contained only one component - Browser protection. This component contained both Avast browser plugins.
The current version offers two components, Security browser extension and SafePrice browser extension. While the first one respects the state of the Browser protection in the previous version, SafePrice browser extension does not respect the state of the Browser protection component from the previous version.

It really was not intentional and I am really sorry about the extra step you now have to do after the update to fix your component configuration.

Petr
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Alikhan on July 29, 2016, 03:17:25 PM
Hi everyone,

without dancing around it, I have to admit the unpleasant fact. Even though we tried to make it easier for users to remove SafePrice extension from browsers, we managed to introduce pretty nasty bug in the update process.  :-[

Previous versions contained only one component - Browser protection. This component contained both Avast browser plugins.
The current version offers two components, Security browser extension and SafePrice browser extension. While the first one respects the state of the Browser protection in the previous version, SafePrice browser extension does not respect the state of the Browser protection component from the previous version.

It really was not intentional and I am really sorry about the extra step you now have to do after the update to fix your component configuration.

Petr

Thanks for your explanation, Petr.

That makes complete sense and is totally understandable. This issue should not now arise in the future.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: DavidR on July 29, 2016, 03:19:43 PM
@DavidR

Maybe one way to resolve going forward is the "Custom Install" screen comes up on all "over the top" updates....not just clean install ?

I did an over the top install and the Custom install option is there. If you are thinking of an update from the UI, that isn't an install over the top, but an update.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on July 29, 2016, 04:03:45 PM
Does Avast remember what components were installed for several previous versions or not? Because if it did, Avast could uninstall SafePrice with the next update on systems that didn't have it selected. I fear it is now wrongly installed because of the bug, and since it is now present any update will keep it installed. So manual user intervention is needed for all machines afflicted.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: DavidR on July 29, 2016, 04:21:44 PM
Does Avast remember what components were installed for several previous versions or not? Because if it did, Avast could uninstall SafePrice with the next update on systems that didn't have it selected. I fear it is now wrongly installed because of the bug, and since it is now present any update will keep it installed. So manual user intervention is needed for all machines afflicted.

I wouldn't think it would remember what components you had installed several versions ago, I can't see the purpose in that given that the program changes and as has happened components are added. So I would guess that it only has what you currently installed to work from.

If you did a program update, as opposed to a clean install or an install over the top of your existing installation, then it should only install/update those components that are already installed.

There are obviously going to be exceptions to this (or a bug) if a new feature is introduced and you are likely to get that new function along with what you have already installed. In this build 12.2.2276 the Safe Price and AOS have been split apart, so as I mentioned these could well be considered new.

I would say your best option is to do a clean install (a custom install at that) so you have a known program/component state from this version on.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on July 29, 2016, 04:33:03 PM
My problem is that I now have several machines out there that have software installed because of this bug that I somehow have to fix. I'm gonna get calls. I know it. Remembering component states shouldn't be necessary if proper testing was done before an update roll out. But .. here we are.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: bob3160 on July 29, 2016, 04:34:15 PM
I did an over the top custom install and unchecked certain components.
They did not install. :)
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=93544.msg1327696#msg1327696
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Asyn on July 29, 2016, 04:53:01 PM
My problem is that I now have several machines out there...
How many..? Private or business..?
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: bruce_b on July 29, 2016, 06:07:15 PM
I always run the full off line installer and select what I want and do not want. That way, things that are not
needed by me are not installed without my selecting them.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on July 30, 2016, 12:52:33 AM
My problem is that I now have several machines out there...
How many..? Private or business..?

A bunch. Family and friends. I'm the designated 'computer guy'. You know how it is. So now it's either try and coach them trough modifying the installation via phone or mail, or remote into their machines, or even drive over and fix it. All because updating from within Avast doesn't ask whether new components should be installed. Weirdly inconsistent behaviour considering it is asked with a clean install or over the top install.

Some uniformity in behaviour would be nice. And better testing.
Title: Re: Avast did it again! Installing components WITHOUT ASKING!!
Post by: Skakara on August 02, 2016, 12:24:55 PM
Some uniformity in behaviour would be nice. And better testing.

I agree. Doing an update from the program should always ask if any new component should be installed or not. And I really don't understand how this didn't show up in testing, were there any testing?

The way I read petr.chytil message, avast is sorry for that this plugin/component splitting had an unfortunate side-effect. But in the future, when avast creates a new component, it will be again installed automatically if avast is updated from the program. That isn't going to change. That's how I read this situation. So expect more unpleasant surprises in the future.