Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on July 30, 2016, 08:21:29 AM
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I wasn't aware that the recent updates apparently had anything to do with "the cloud." Is there any way to disable any/all cloud features? I get the pros and cons of it all, and in the end, I simply would rather my AV 100% on my computer and not communicating or sending/receiving data in any way other than updating definitions.
So... is there a way to completely disable that, or is that how the core program simply works now?
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Why installing security software and then limit the protection ?
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I simply would rather my AV 100% on my computer and not communicating or sending/receiving data in any way other than updating definitions.
That is what the cloud feature is used for ... stream updates and more
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An AV should download a database of virus information to a local machine, and keep that database up to date. Then check all local files and incoming files against it.
The very second an AV starts uploading information pertaining to what files are present on a local machine, or even worse; uploads entire files or parts of files, to check against an online database, a line is crossed.
This isn't about limiting protection. This is about limiting privacy invasion. It is up to the user whether the second trumps the first, or vice versa. Stating that doing it all locally limits protection is misrepresenting the facts and misleading.
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With the amount of new malware arriving evry day cloud feature is vital
Some malware have a short life so autoanalyse time is vital
New malware Statistics > https://www.av-test.org/en/statistics/malware/
What’s The Deal With Detection Logic? > https://labsblog.f-secure.com/2016/07/08/whats-the-deal-with-detection-logic/
What’s The Deal With Network Reputation? > https://labsblog.f-secure.com/2016/06/23/whats-the-deal-with-network-reputation/
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Still doesn't justify uploading files without explicit consent. Choosing to participate in cloud protection is one thing. Defaulting to it is another.
All this aside: The OP just seems to want local AV, nothing more. That is a choice. Just answer his question, instead of questioning his motives.
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You are wrong (again).
An AV should download a database of virus information to a local machine, and keep that database up to date. Then check all local files and incoming files against it.
avast is doing that (and more).
The very second an AV starts uploading information pertaining to what files are present on a local machine, or even worse; uploads entire files or parts of files, to check against an online database, a line is crossed.
No line is crossed.
The user has chosen a av that is using this technique and agreed that it is used.
It is needed to detect and block new malware as fast as possible.
Initially only the hash of a file is send to avast for analyzes, not a file.
This is about limiting privacy invasion.
Privacy has nothing to do with it as no personal data whatsoever is being send/requested.
The OP just seems to want local AV, nothing more.
If that is so, the OP should use a av that never connects to the net.
Good luck finding one :P
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You are wrong (again).
You disagree with me. Not the same thing. But recognizing the difference is clearly not your strong suit. ::)
avast is doing that (and more).
That 'more' is what the user should have ultimate say over.
No line is crossed.
The user has chosen a av that is using this technique and agreed that it is used.
It is needed to detect and block new malware as fast as possible.
Initially only the hash of a file is send to avast for analyzes, not a file.
If it is done without explicit consent, a line is most definitely crossed. Avast has a habit of installing new features without asking, so what a user has agreed to at first install years ago is not the same as what Avast is doing now.
Privacy has nothing to do with it as no personal data whatsoever is being send/requested.
How can we verify this? Also: if a file is sent, it can certainly contain personal data, so your statement is false. Only checking locally ensures privacy. Even a hash identifies a local file to Avast.
If that is so, the OP should use a av that never connects to the net.
Good luck finding one :P
You're either deliberately being thick, or just asinine. Very typical Eddy. No help, just arguing for the sake of it. Just deal with the fact that different people want different things from their AV, and that you are not now nor will ever be deciding for people what they should or should not accept.
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Also: if a file is sent,
If you read the info i gave above ... mostly it is just metadata
If hole files should be uploaded from 200mill users to avast servers i think avast servers would go hot
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Also: if a file is sent,
If you read the info i gave above ... mostly it is just metadata
If hole files should be uploaded from 200mill users to avast servers i think avast servers would go hot
Yes. But even metadata leads to personal data. Because it identifies files Avast has hashes for in its database. This might be innocent, but it might also be personal. Since it tells Avast about the content of the local storage.
Say it sends a hash for a piece of downloaded software. Now Avast knows the user has that software on his machine. That in and of itself is already personal information. Even if this software is totally innocuous. It might be MS Word. Still, the fact that it is installed, is personal information.
Now say Avast sends a similar hash from a file with a known political, sexual, or religious connotation. See how things can get muddy real quick?
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If it is done without explicit consent, a line is most definitely crossed. Avast has a habit of installing new features without asking, so what a user has agreed to at first install years ago is not the same as what Avast is doing now.
It is done with explicit consent as the user agreed to the EULA when installing avast.
Now please stop hijacking threads.
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Think about what these know about you
-Microsoft
-Google
-Yahoo
-Your ISP
-twitter
-Facebook
-online gambling
-online gaming
-smart phone
-and many many more
Most have some or all of this without blinking and then complaining about your security program bc of a cloud feature that is there to improve security .. doh ::)
If you don't trust your security company then you should definitely not trust being connected online
The day you connected to internet your privacy was gone! the only way to avoid it, don't use any device connected, do not use credit cards, live in a motor home in the arizona desert
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Now please stop hijacking threads.
The moment you start helping people by actually answering their questions ;)
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Now please stop hijacking threads.
The moment you start helping people by actually answering their questions ;)
This is a help forum. If want to do something other than help people, you're on the wrong forum.
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So first and foremost, actually help the topic starter by answering his question ;)
If you feel the need to then also offer an opinion about why his choice might not be best, that's fine.
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Think about what these know about you
-Microsoft
-Google
-Yahoo
-Your ISP
-twitter
-Facebook
-online gambling
-online gaming
-smart phone
-and many many more
Most have some or all of this without blinking and then complaining about your security program bc of a cloud feature that is there to improve security .. doh ::)
If you don't trust your security company then you should definitely not trust being connected online
The day you connected to internet your privacy was gone! the only way to avoid it, don't use any device connected, do not use credit cards, live in a motor home in the arizona desert
To be fair, I didn't agree to shit about cloud connectivity when I got Avast!, because it was something they never used back then. I've since uninstalled and switched to a different AV. But as far as your list goes:
-Microsoft - The only MS product I use is for my gaming rig which has Windows 10. I've used Spybot Anti-Beacon and disabled most services, and it's not registered in my name.
-Google - I don't use any Google products, even the search engine. Loved them when they were new, and now they're too invasive.
-Yahoo - Does anybody still use Yahoo! products?
-Your ISP - My ISP is fairly non-invasive, but I also connect through a VPN. That's all they can see.
-twitter - Never used Twitter. It seems like something teenage girls worried about their social lives would use.
-Facebook - Only use that to post funny pictures, but mostly so people I know can find me. After that, I just give them my number. I don't have the FB or messenger apps on my phone.
-online gambling - I go to a real casino.
-online gaming - They have no personal data on me.
-smart phone - Rooted with lots of protection and the bill isn't even in a real name. The only reason I even have a smart phone is for the Babuser app.
-and many many more - Like what?
I have nothing to hide and don't really do anything exciting, but it's the point of the thing. Nobody needs my data. Some people shred their bills and receipts before throwing them away. This is no different. Even if I were to just order a pizza on a random and boring Tuesday night, it's not Google's business, it's not the NSA's business, it's nobody's business but mine and the guy delivering the thing.
So.. using the cloud does have risks and rewards. So does banning Middle-Eastern people from entering the U.S., and so do other ridiculous things like the Patriot Act. I, for one, would rather NOT sacrifice liberty and privacy for some imagined "security." I'll take my risks. I think that with a non-cloud AV, I won't get a virus. I'm also not worried about terrorism or any other such nonsense. I just want to be left the F alone by companies, corporations, and governments.
Rant aside - is there any actual way to disable this cloud crap? I'm assuming not, so I've switched. If there is a way, I may come back once they fix the background service issue (if they haven't already). It's pretty much a yes/no question.
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To be fair, I didn't agree to shit about cloud connectivity when I got Avast!, because it was something they never used back then.
The CyberCapture is a update to the tool.
You agreed that avast can (and if they like/want) will make changes/provide updates to the tool.
About Yahoo...
"Only" several 100.000.000's people are using one or more of their services with or without realizing it.
Not all their services have Yahoo in their name.
To name some: Tumblr, Flickr, Rocketmail
Nobody needs my data.
But there are a huge amount of companies that do want it (and are collecting it one way or another).
You also forget the government, insurance companies, doctors and many more.
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I don't understand why people get so defensive about a product when all that needs to be done is respect the OP's point of view and answer the damn question. The cloud/privacy issues are 100% relevant to any program, including the OS (cough windows 10 cough). So how does one disable the cloud stuff? I seriously want to know too.
btw Be aware that when you open up the Avast GUI, change settings etc, user behaviour of how the GUI is used is sent to avast servers. I wish this could be disabled also.
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I don't understand why people get so defensive about a product when all that needs to be done is respect the OP's point of view and answer the damn question. The cloud/privacy issues are 100% relevant to any program, including the OS (cough windows 10 cough). So how does one disable the cloud stuff? I seriously want to know too.
btw Be aware that when you open up the Avast GUI, change settings etc, user behaviour of how the GUI is used is sent to avast servers. I wish this could be disabled also.
(http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1469973293304-3542.png)
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I don't understand why people get so defensive about a product when all that needs to be done is respect the OP's point of view and answer the damn question. The cloud/privacy issues are 100% relevant to any program, including the OS (cough windows 10 cough). So how does one disable the cloud stuff? I seriously want to know too.
btw Be aware that when you open up the Avast GUI, change settings etc, user behaviour of how the GUI is used is sent to avast servers. I wish this could be disabled also.
(http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1469973293304-3542.png)
That's fairly vague and mentions nothing about the cloud. Look, I just wanted a simple question answered, and that's obviously not going to happen for whatever F'ing reason. I swear, forums now are more useless than they ever have been. I'm going to assume that the cloud features are now fully integrated into Avast! and cannot be disabled. I enjoyed Avast! for the first few years I had it, but it's off to greener pastures.
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If you don't want to use cloud features, don't use the internet.
What often is named "the cloud" is a misnomer.
The entire internet is the cloud, not a part of it or something on a server from a company.
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I don't understand why people can't just answer the OP's question.
Just uncheck the options in Avast settings. Avast community, data sharing, reputation services, cybercapture etc.
Of course this will lower your detection but if you have good security and use some common sense you really don't need all those.
This will not completely turn off cloud obviously but if you are really annoyed by cloud services then at least this is a start.
I wish products these days would use less cloud services as well like the OP but OP you have to understand that with today's security landscape cloud anti-virus is kind of a necessity and also private data collection is unavoidable now especially since you are using a free product. I do not like it but then again there's really no way around it. Just look at Windows 10 lol. it's like a data miner.
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I'm going to assume that the cloud features are now fully integrated into Avast! and cannot be disabled.
Seems that way doesn't it? No answers == 'yep the cloud is stuck in there now, live with it'
btw the previous example of opting out of community and data sharing DOES NOT stop the GUI logging and sending
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Eddy being more or less an aggressive troll/flamer again. What's eating you? Can't you vent out your anger/frustration/whatever to somewhere else than this forum? You know, it's not a shame anymore to go to talk to a professional about your things. I have and millions of others have too. I respect a person who's willing to better themselves. And start respecting other users here by being nice and answering their questions, not berating them. You are a classic example of a person whose own views are the only way to live life and you treat persons with other views badly. World is not black & white. There are many shades of happiness to be found if one lets themselves.
What I don't understand about the talk in this topic is the claims that files hashes gets uploaded. What does avast do with a hash if it's a completely new one? Nothing. You all know that file hashes are just calculated short strings, right? You can't examine or decide if a file is a virus or not just from a hash if it's unique. So, the file has to be uploaded to avast. It's not just file hashes that are sent to avast. Sometimes a file is sent.
I would like to use CyberCapture so that it would ask me for my consent to send a suspected file to avast, not automatically. That way I'd be in control of my data which leaves my computer.
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If you didn't had a reading problem, you would have seen that I already gave the answer.
The Internet = the cloud.
So, to disable cloud features = not using the Internet at all.
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Trolls will be trolls, eh? I'm amazed that you're allowed to trash this forum year after year.
EDIT: And by the way, Internet IS NOT the cloud. You're wrong.
Merriam-Webster dictionary, since 1828 says:
Internet : an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world
Cloud : the computers and connections that support cloud computing <storing files in the cloud>
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You're expecting protection by not allowing it to work full throttle. Use ClamAV/ClamWin. Only open source AV without ANY cloud. For everything else, welcome to 2016.
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To be fair, maybe some users want to reduce their bandwidth usage to possibly save some money, yes this might cause some security flaw, but I think they already know the risk of disabling this feature, maybe local scan is sufficient in their opinion.