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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: wrooot on April 03, 2019, 08:34:15 AM

Title: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: wrooot on April 03, 2019, 08:34:15 AM
I haven't seen such popup before when starting my PC. First time i have noticed it yesterday. What is this and why do i need this popup every morning? It also stays for quite a long time before disappearing or you can click X.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Asyn on April 03, 2019, 08:42:40 AM
I haven't seen such popup before when starting my PC. First time i have noticed it yesterday.
Confirmed, same here.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 03, 2019, 11:49:37 AM
I have only updated my win 10 laptop to Avast free 19.3.2369, but I didn't see anything after my restart. 

That said I haven't done a proper shutdown and start as I tend to leave it in standby for some time. 

However the wording is very poor "You have been protected by Avast antivirus" if I had truly 'been protected by Avast antivirus' I would expect an Avast Alert Window not this nonsense. 

To my way of thinking, "You have been protected by Avast antivirus" means it has stopped/blocked something and I would want to know what it was.  We shouldn't have to see this kind of popup nonsense (it just hacks people off), since avast is a resident antivirus, installed to protect us. 

I would only expect to see something to tell us that avast isn't running in some way, after all what was this overseer function for, checking to ensure avast is running correctly and if not fix it or presumably notify the use if something isn't working.

I will just have to shutdown and restart later and see if I get it or not.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Asyn on April 03, 2019, 12:14:28 PM
It's rather a slide-in (like the ones we had in earlier versions).
I'll try to catch a screenshot when it shows up again...
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: RejZoR on April 03, 2019, 12:56:16 PM
I got a popup. Once. On one out of 3 devices. It confuses me more than it helps at this point...
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 03, 2019, 04:14:35 PM
It's rather a slide-in (like the ones we had in earlier versions).
I'll try to catch a screenshot when it shows up again...

Like a Toaster Popup ?

If so shouldn't that conform to the toaster style  'information popup'' notice, if these settings haven't disappeared of vanished into the geek:area.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Asyn on April 03, 2019, 04:20:40 PM
It's rather a slide-in (like the ones we had in earlier versions).
I'll try to catch a screenshot when it shows up again...
Like a Toaster Popup ?
Yep.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: mchain on April 03, 2019, 04:46:29 PM
It's rather a slide-in (like the ones we had in earlier versions).
I'll try to catch a screenshot when it shows up again...
Like a Toaster Popup ?
Yep.
Yes, Dave it is that exactly.  Remains for about 20 seconds or so and then slides back down.  First time I saw it here too, after a restart.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: schmidthouse on April 03, 2019, 05:15:59 PM
So far nothing here on 2 systems.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: mchain on April 03, 2019, 05:39:30 PM
(I restarted while connected to the Internet, seemed to make a difference)
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: chris.. on April 03, 2019, 06:55:20 PM
also when I leave sleep mode (but not always) for 2 days on my 3 pcs (W10, W7, W7)
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 03, 2019, 07:13:33 PM
It's rather a slide-in (like the ones we had in earlier versions).
I'll try to catch a screenshot when it shows up again...
Like a Toaster Popup ?
Yep.
Yes, Dave it is that exactly.  Remains for about 20 seconds or so and then slides back down.  First time I saw it here too, after a restart.

Check if the settings are still in place for changing the duration, remember the 0 value = no limit.  Also it would be a case of which category does/would this come under information (INFO), etc. if avast are considering this as promotion (which would be wrong) we're stuffed as they didn't have a category.

Ah, I just opened up my laptop to check and see where the settings for Popups are (and I got the toaster popup, but not for very long). I couldn't find them, they were in the old Settings, General area and no popups area exists in 19.32369 UI (well not on mine). 

I had a look in the geek:area (and what a dumping ground that is becoming), its a mess, one big long list, hard to find anything and scrolling forever and nothing related to Popups.  I had to go into the Troubleshooting section, General > Open Old Settings and here in General > Popups are the various categories, my INFO section is set for 3 seconds (see attached image for my settings). This is why it didn't get a screen capture, id didn't stay up long enough for me to get a screen capture.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: YeOldeBowler on April 03, 2019, 11:54:03 PM
I am getting this also and it doesn't 'slide away'.Need to refresh the desktop or close it.
Example attached...
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 04, 2019, 12:01:59 AM
I am getting this also and it doesn't 'slide away'.Need to refresh the desktop or close it.
Example attached...

See if you can adjust the timings as I have shown in my post above yours. 

Mine was only up for 3 seconds too quick for me to capture a screenshot. That was on my win10 laptop and has a different screen capture software, than this winXP system just a couple of keystrokes, but I only have avast! free 18.5.2342 on the XP system, so I don't get the toaster popup.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: YeOldeBowler on April 04, 2019, 12:06:33 AM
Attached are my popup settings - this 'should' only be displayed for 1 second but, as I stated, it just stays there. Other popups disappear as they should.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: schmidthouse on April 04, 2019, 12:15:26 AM
I am getting this also and it doesn't 'slide away'.Need to refresh the desktop or close it.
Example attached...

So far, I don't have it on my systems and definitely, don't want it.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 04, 2019, 12:17:53 AM
Attached are my popup settings - this 'should' only be displayed for 1 second but, as I stated, it just stays there. Other popups disappear as they should.

Strange, mine dropped pretty quickly, when did yours appear, after boot (as per the OP 'wrooot'), update, or at some other point in time ?
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: schmidthouse on April 04, 2019, 12:21:28 AM
Attached are my popup settings - this 'should' only be displayed for 1 second but, as I stated, it just stays there. Other popups disappear as they should.

Strange, mine dropped pretty quickly, when did yours appear, after boot (as per the OP 'wrooot'), update, or at some other point in time ?

Would this pop up be Regional?
Is it on all OS versions XP, Vista so on Win 10?
This is curious.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 04, 2019, 12:22:36 AM
I am getting this also and it doesn't 'slide away'.Need to refresh the desktop or close it.
Example attached...

So far, I don't have it on my systems and definitely, don't want it.

I don't see the point in this nonsense, it just hacks users off, bloody ridiculous. 

<OT> This is nearly as bad as the Avast Mobile Security, notification area 'Scan complete see what we found.'  Total cr4p if it had found anything I would expect to have got an alert, its just an opportunity to throw up an ad. I just swipe it away and never look at it.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 04, 2019, 12:26:19 AM
<snip quotes>
Would this pop up be Regional?
Is it on all OS versions XP, Vista so on Win 10?
This is curious.

I doubt this is OS dependant, but Avast Version dependant, if you are running avast 19.x, which rules out XP/Vista OS (avast 18.x) wise or anyone running an even earlier version.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: YeOldeBowler on April 04, 2019, 12:34:30 AM
Strange, mine dropped pretty quickly, when did yours appear, after boot (as per the OP 'wrooot'), update, or at some other point in time ?
It appears on every boot - it seems to have started about 1 week ago but I can not be certain (sorry...)
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 04, 2019, 12:43:52 AM
Strange, mine dropped pretty quickly, when did yours appear, after boot (as per the OP 'wrooot'), update, or at some other point in time ?
It appears on every boot - it seems to have started about 1 week ago but I can not be certain (sorry...)

Not so much when it first started but its frequency, I haven't had it on boot (yet) on my win10 laptop with 19.3.2369, manly because I rarely reboot but leave it in standby. 

I got mine at another point in time, as I mentioned "I just opened up my laptop to check and see where the settings for Popups are and I got the toaster popup.  So there could well be other intervals when it appears.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: bob3160 on April 04, 2019, 01:15:01 AM
Not a popup I've encountered ???
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 04, 2019, 01:19:56 AM
Not a popup I've encountered ???

Its certainly one that wants squashed, its meaningless 'I expect Avast to Protect me' its why I installed it.  I/we don't need a constant reminder and for some it doesn't appear to be following their Popup settings..
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Patrick2 on April 04, 2019, 01:28:55 AM
Seen that on Laptop PC with Windows 10 Home, latest version of 1809,  on Windows 10 Pro system and Main Desktop on restart this morning for some updates to take effect for another program


Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: MartinZ on April 04, 2019, 11:53:36 AM
Hi gyus,
yes this is an experiment, partially replacing the "Your virus database has been updated" toaster that some users liked as an assurance that avast is running and protecting them. Thanks for your feedback. It is shown after restart, max once every 24 hours.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: bob3160 on April 04, 2019, 02:11:17 PM
Hi gyus,
yes this is an experiment, partially replacing the "Your virus database has been updated" toaster that some users liked as an assurance that avast is running and protecting them. Thanks for your feedback. It is shown after restart, max once every 24 hours.
"Your virus database has been updated" is useful. Since I have Avast installed, I don't need to be reminded.
I expect to be reminded if it stops working. Sorry, but to me this isn't helpful. I haven't personally seen this popup
but would consider it annoying and totally unnecessary. 
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 04, 2019, 04:18:41 PM
Hi gyus,
yes this is an experiment, partially replacing the "Your virus database has been updated" toaster that some users liked as an assurance that avast is running and protecting them. Thanks for your feedback. It is shown after restart, max once every 24 hours.

The problem is the message is completely nondescript, people just haven't a clue what it is for, leading to confusion about what this is for. 

The "Your virus database has been updated" toaster couldn't be clearer, I can't see the point of change for changes sake, you're frightening the horses.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: schmidthouse on April 04, 2019, 05:03:31 PM
Hi gyus,
yes this is an experiment, partially replacing the "Your virus database has been updated" toaster that some users liked as an assurance that avast is running and protecting them. Thanks for your feedback. It is shown after restart, max once every 24 hours.

Thanks Martin
Experimenting is never a bad thing however, replacing something that was simple, direct and useful with something confusing and redundant is a questionable strategy. :)
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: rocksteady on April 04, 2019, 06:29:18 PM
Not sure if I have seen this particular toaster popup on my Win10 machine. I would certainly rated it "annoying" if I had.
Too many unecessary popups may result in user fatigue and may "X" the one that is actually important.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Yile on April 04, 2019, 07:39:06 PM
Hi gyus,
yes this is an experiment, partially replacing the "Your virus database has been updated" toaster that some users liked as an assurance that avast is running and protecting them. Thanks for your feedback. It is shown after restart, max once every 24 hours.

Long time user of Avast (since Avast was the product and Alwil was the company ;D ) and I made a forum account with the sole purpose of saying that I loathe this new pop-up. For some reason it's very slow to close for me in comparison to any other Avast pop-up and I also just simply don't find it useful at all. So please put this one humble user down into the "Do not want" feedback pile.  8)
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: alanb on April 04, 2019, 07:43:27 PM
Hi gyus,
yes this is an experiment, partially replacing the "Your virus database has been updated" toaster that some users liked as an assurance that avast is running and protecting them. Thanks for your feedback. It is shown after restart, max once every 24 hours.

Thanks Martin
Experimenting is never a bad thing however, replacing something that was simple, direct and useful with something confusing and redundant is a questionable strategy. :)

+1
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 04, 2019, 08:59:58 PM
Hi gyus,
yes this is an experiment, partially replacing the "Your virus database has been updated" toaster that some users liked as an assurance that avast is running and protecting them. Thanks for your feedback. It is shown after restart, max once every 24 hours.

Long time user of Avast (since Avast was the product and Alwil was the company ;D ) and I made a forum account with the sole purpose of saying that I loathe this new pop-up. For some reason it's very slow to close for me in comparison to any other Avast pop-up and I also just simply don't find it useful at all. So please put this one humble user down into the "Do not want" feedback pile.  8)

See my Reply #11 above
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=226337.msg1500433#msg1500433
Now that we know the supposed purpose of this relates to the Update popup category (not INFO as I thought), you could try dropping the Update popup time to 3 seconds as in the attached image if the same reply.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Charyb-0 on April 05, 2019, 12:47:35 AM
Hi gyus,yes this is an experiment, partially replacing the "Your virus database has been updated" toaster that some users liked as an assurance that avast is running and protecting them. Thanks for your feedback. It is shown after restart, max once every 24 hours.


I have seen this a couple times and have tried to capture it. I have settings configured to NOT see anything from Avast unless it finds malware.

Still annoying with the unnecessary intrusions. I don't pay you to intrude upon my computer.

Beta is for experimenting.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: mchain on April 05, 2019, 04:14:46 AM
+1  Which is where this sort of thing should be introduced/deployed, in Beta only.  Beta first, OEM second.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: davews on April 05, 2019, 08:05:53 AM
I saw this a few days earlier in the week after booting up my computer but not seen it in the last couple. As others say it is pointless and confusing.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: stibi on April 05, 2019, 12:17:48 PM
It's a real nonsense message.
And whe I read "yes this is an experiment" I can only shake my head.

###### Have these Avast guys no real work to do? #####
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Cluster-Lizard2014 on April 05, 2019, 01:56:19 PM
AVAST marketing still have not understood how annoying these sorts of things can be - we're using your product, we're, usually, happy with your product but we do not need reminding at any time that it is doing its job, regularly or otherwise. If it was not we would not be happy and tell you so.

Could you imagine the hell using a computer would be if every time you booted up every auto-run or program in start-up put out a message that it was doing its job. It does not bear thinking about.

Quiet, unobtrusive, effective protection is what users want. It should be AVAST's aim and stated aim too. That is what will convince new users to try it and maybe sign up for the full package.

What do they think a potential new AVAST user reading about this is more likely to do as a result, install it or choose another AV?
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: bob3160 on April 05, 2019, 02:23:27 PM
(Smip)
What do they think a potential new AVAST user reading about this is more likely to do as a result, install it or choose another AV?
If you choose your AV for the protection it provides, you'll still choose Avast.
Having said that, it doesn't change the fact that the popup is annoying and not at all helpful.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: fishswimthesea on April 06, 2019, 03:09:02 PM
Just wanted to add my vote to get rid of this thing.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: rocksteady on April 07, 2019, 04:14:32 PM
I have now also started getting these uncessary and annoying toaster popups each and every restart and have to "X" the thing.
IMO the devs experiment has suceeded only to annoy Avast users.
+1 vote to get rid of it please.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: .: Mac :. on April 07, 2019, 05:16:16 PM
The popup does not serve any purpose, as it contains no useful information and most are going to take it as like a house ad. Add my vote to change back to the virus database has been updated popup
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Charyb-0 on April 08, 2019, 03:52:53 PM

I just witnessed it again. It just doesn't matter if you are a paying customer or not. Unfortunately, I have 966 days left on my subscription.

This is the same discussion year after year regarding this company's decision to place unwanted ads, banners, popups, etc. onto a computer that isn't theirs. Pathetic, annoying, obtrusive.....
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Patrick2 on April 08, 2019, 05:24:07 PM
With Next Version of Windows 10 Coming in less than a month, highly considering just dropping Avast Free and using Windows Defender on all the systems,  I know might not be a good choice, but these pathetic popups, and such starting to get to me a little bit,   I know the developers and folks that make the software need to get money and such.

But where is the point draw the line, and not have a silly popup that keeps saying protected by Avast Free Antivirus,  Hello we willingly installed it for the protection it provides,  whats gonna happen when this gets out to 3rd party reviewers,  most likely start turning folks away from Avast.   

Heck youtube PC techs already don't recommend Avast Free, a few other forums don't,   my local PC shop doesn't, but yet I keep using it and hopefully it goes back to quiet self, but I don't know anymore if I made right decision reinstalling after my 1809 clean install in December,  another coming up soon to cleanup before 1903...highly debating not reinstalling it then
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 08, 2019, 05:33:51 PM
Are you actually seeing this on Avast version 19.1.2360, I thought this came in with 19.3.xxxx (could be wrong on that) ?

Given the excellent (NOT) response to this completely useless, uninformative, nonsense popup, that is an experiment.  I would hope it is considered a failed experiment and is removed as suddenly as it appeared.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Patrick2 on April 08, 2019, 05:36:11 PM
I'm actually using 19.3.2369, just didn't update signature yet

Would hope it's removed suddenly as well, as definitely not a pass experiment in my mind

Plan on doing my system cleanup towards end of April I think at this point, so hopefully this issue resolved and I can choose to stay with Avast Free


Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: rocksteady on April 08, 2019, 06:22:09 PM
@bob3160. Please note your signature also says you are still on "AvastFree 19.2.2364".
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: mchain on April 08, 2019, 07:37:35 PM
Are you actually seeing this on Avast version 19.1.2360, I thought this came in with 19.3.xxxx (could be wrong on that) ?

Given the excellent (NOT) response to this completely useless, uninformative, nonsense popup, that is an experiment.  I would hope it is considered a failed experiment and is removed as suddenly as it appeared.
I'm thinking your question was addressed to Patrick2, but it's not just version 19.3.2639 this useless popup is appearing in.  I'm running 19.2.2364, (have not update to latest because of issues with chkdsk not starting in the latest version) and I'm still getting this on startup/restart.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 08, 2019, 09:41:02 PM
Are you actually seeing this on Avast version 19.1.2360, I thought this came in with 19.3.xxxx (could be wrong on that) ?

Given the excellent (NOT) response to this completely useless, uninformative, nonsense popup, that is an experiment.  I would hope it is considered a failed experiment and is removed as suddenly as it appeared.
I'm thinking your question was addressed to Patrick2, but it's not just version 19.3.2639 this useless popup is appearing in.  I'm running 19.2.2364, (have not update to latest because of issues with chkdsk not starting in the latest version) and I'm still getting this on startup/restart.

Yes it was, I can't recall having this popup when I had 19.2.xxxx, I too was was hanging back on 19.3 and I hadn't long updated to 19.3.xxxx when I started seeing it.

Thanks for the confirmation.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: MartinZ on April 08, 2019, 09:48:51 PM
thanks for all the feedback provided (even for the negative one ;-). For this type of test beta isn't ideal as there isn't that many users and the country distribution isn't the same as for production. It's not related to any product version, targeting all 18+ versions. what is the biggest concern? the message itself? the time unless it hides? the frequency (once per 24h)?
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: MartinZ on April 08, 2019, 09:50:35 PM
It's rather a slide-in (like the ones we had in earlier versions).
I'll try to catch a screenshot when it shows up again...
Like a Toaster Popup ?
Yep.
Yes, Dave it is that exactly.  Remains for about 20 seconds or so and then slides back down.  First time I saw it here too, after a restart.

Check if the settings are still in place for changing the duration, remember the 0 value = no limit.  Also it would be a case of which category does/would this come under information (INFO), etc. if avast are considering this as promotion (which would be wrong) we're stuffed as they didn't have a category.

Ah, I just opened up my laptop to check and see where the settings for Popups are (and I got the toaster popup, but not for very long). I couldn't find them, they were in the old Settings, General area and no popups area exists in 19.32369 UI (well not on mine). 

I had a look in the geek:area (and what a dumping ground that is becoming), its a mess, one big long list, hard to find anything and scrolling forever and nothing related to Popups.  I had to go into the Troubleshooting section, General > Open Old Settings and here in General > Popups are the various categories, my INFO section is set for 3 seconds (see attached image for my settings). This is why it didn't get a screen capture, id didn't stay up long enough for me to get a screen capture.

This setting is obsolete and it didn't work last 2 years..That's also the reason why it's not in the new settings
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: MartinZ on April 08, 2019, 10:00:00 PM
I also liked the "Virus database has been updated" but we now update it every approx 6 minutes and you kinda don't want to be notified that often ;-))
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 08, 2019, 10:04:21 PM
thanks for all the feedback provided (even for the negative one ;-). For this type of test beta isn't ideal as there isn't that many users and the country distribution isn't the same as for production. It's not related to any product version, targeting all 18+ versions. what is the biggest concern? the message itself? the time unless it hides? the frequency (once per 24h)?

The fact that it imparts zero information, "You're protected with Avast Free Antivirus" I already know this, after all I installed it.

On the theme of "You're protected with Avast Free Antivirus":
We are already swamped by popups, trying to get the user to buy this or that (because we aren't protected in some way :) ) To be honest some of these are borderline, give the user a headache and then sell the aspirin.

Marketing have to get smarter and not just carpet bomb with the same message over and over, the users obviously can't ignore it's in your face, and many are leaving as it is the only way out. Is Marketing out of control ?
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Patrick2 on April 08, 2019, 10:09:12 PM
Heck I've been using Avast since version 4.8 after testing Windows Live One Care on my old XP Machine back in 2005/2006,  Got such a bad infection  folks in another PC game recommended Avast and I tried it,   I feel word of Mouth is best advertisement for this product, I know Developers don't make any money from that way,  but at the time it was uninstrustive,  nice sound alerts at the time.     

Hard for me to leave this product that I use for protection of all my PC's, but also a lot of forums that I visit even don't recommended Avast Free anymore for some reason

main thing is just wanna be happy with protection I choose to use, without popups distracting me from what im doing

is Marketing trying to get as many paid subscripers as they can or trying to drive people away with these test of popups

Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: mchain on April 08, 2019, 10:13:41 PM
thanks for all the feedback provided (even for the negative one ;-). For this type of test beta isn't ideal as there isn't that many users and the country distribution isn't the same as for production. It's not related to any product version, targeting all 18+ versions. what is the biggest concern? the message itself? the time unless it hides? the frequency (once per 24h)?
To put it nicely, biggest concern is the (sometimes) apparently cavalier attitude Avast has towards it users when implementing features or advertising on captive systems without their true consent, implied or otherwise, that really don't complement the main Avast mission, that of protecting their users from malicious harm from outside.

Please don't forget we chose to put Avast on our systems and once we do that, we really don't need reminders.

Avast does a great job in protecting us, we are grateful for that. 

Run silently, but carry a big stick for use when necessary, as in the American vernacular. 

That is what we need and want.   :)
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 08, 2019, 10:15:22 PM
<snip quotes>
Check if the settings are still in place for changing the duration, remember the 0 value = no limit.  Also it would be a case of which category does/would this come under information (INFO), etc. if avast are considering this as promotion (which would be wrong) we're stuffed as they didn't have a category.

Ah, I just opened up my laptop to check and see where the settings for Popups are (and I got the toaster popup, but not for very long). I couldn't find them, they were in the old Settings, General area and no popups area exists in 19.32369 UI (well not on mine). 

I had a look in the geek:area (and what a dumping ground that is becoming), its a mess, one big long list, hard to find anything and scrolling forever and nothing related to Popups.  I had to go into the Troubleshooting section, General > Open Old Settings and here in General > Popups are the various categories, my INFO section is set for 3 seconds (see attached image for my settings). This is why it didn't get a screen capture, id didn't stay up long enough for me to get a screen capture.

This setting is obsolete and it didn't work last 2 years..That's also the reason why it's not in the new settings

Why was/it obsolescent someone must have decided to remove it.  It gave the users control of how long a popup (toaster or otherwise) remained up.

What was removed from these old setting were Ad Popups as Marketing presumably wouldn't like that.

Interestingly, as I have mentioned the first time I saw this on my win10 system, it was up and gone so quickly I didn't manage to get a screenshot as I had my Info popups set to 3 seconds.

So it appears it was working for me.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: jwater on April 09, 2019, 02:42:03 AM
The pop up settings are gone in 19.3. I had mine set to 3 sec which made them more tolerable. Now you have to acknowledge them by closing the box manually or they will sit there for who knows how long. Why would they take away our ability to limit the information pop ups?
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: Asyn on April 09, 2019, 10:02:04 AM
thanks for all the feedback provided (even for the negative one ;-). For this type of test beta isn't ideal as there isn't that many users and the country distribution isn't the same as for production. It's not related to any product version, targeting all 18+ versions. what is the biggest concern? the message itself? the time unless it hides? the frequency (once per 24h)?
Hi Martin, to start with, an option to turn it off would be great. Cheers
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: rocksteady on April 09, 2019, 10:49:14 AM
@MartinZ
There is a Avast icon resident in the System tray which confirms Avast protection is provided. You can even hover over it and get a message to that effect.
IMO it is not necessary to have a toaster popup every boot to say the same thing.
It is just plain annoying to have to X it every time.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: chris.. on April 09, 2019, 11:29:44 AM
thanks for all the feedback provided (even for the negative one ;-). For this type of test beta isn't ideal as there isn't that many users and the country distribution isn't the same as for production. It's not related to any product version, targeting all 18+ versions. what is the biggest concern? the message itself? the time unless it hides? the frequency (once per 24h)?
the message itself undoubtedly   :(
you can display a protection message, so you should be able to propose a non-protection message(it already exists), the latter is much more useful

such a message without having the possibility to remove it is - in my opinion - a lack of respect for the user (almost a breach of the rules)

Wouldn't it be possible to answer your questions through a poll here?
I could create it myself but I'm not very comfortable setting it up with the right questions
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: bob3160 on April 09, 2019, 03:27:40 PM
thanks for all the feedback provided (even for the negative one ;-). For this type of test beta isn't ideal as there isn't that many users and the country distribution isn't the same as for production. It's not related to any product version, targeting all 18+ versions. what is the biggest concern? the message itself? the time unless it hides? the frequency (once per 24h)?
the message itself undoubtedly   :(
you can display a protection message, so you should be able to propose a non-protection message(it already exists), the latter is much more useful

such a message without having the possibility to remove it is - in my opinion - a lack of respect for the user (almost a breach of the rules)

Wouldn't it be possible to answer your questions through a poll here?
I could create it myself but I'm not very comfortable setting it up with the right questions
A poll will be as useless as the popup being discussed. It will only confirm what's already been expressed, an overwhelming dislike for this new useless popup.

Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: RejZoR on April 09, 2019, 04:54:42 PM
I don't mind it though. Would be nice if they added the control for it under popups or under Appearance.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: rocksteady on April 09, 2019, 06:09:41 PM
If Avast or Defender Antivirus protection is not correct and up-to-date then you get a visible warning from Windows Security.
I have seen this warning from experience, as one of my machines is only infrequently booted into windows. When it is, the icons show a "may not be protected" type warning whilst Avast update cycle is performed then Windows Security and Avast icons return to normal.
I for one don't want to see the  "You have been protected by Avast antivirus" popup.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: chris.. on April 09, 2019, 06:14:58 PM
thanks for all the feedback provided (even for the negative one ;-). For this type of test beta isn't ideal as there isn't that many users and the country distribution isn't the same as for production. It's not related to any product version, targeting all 18+ versions. what is the biggest concern? the message itself? the time unless it hides? the frequency (once per 24h)?
the message itself undoubtedly   :(
you can display a protection message, so you should be able to propose a non-protection message(it already exists), the latter is much more useful

such a message without having the possibility to remove it is - in my opinion - a lack of respect for the user (almost a breach of the rules)

Wouldn't it be possible to answer your questions through a poll here?
I could create it myself but I'm not very comfortable setting it up with the right questions
A poll will be as useless as the popup being discussed. It will only confirm what's already been expressed, an overwhelming dislike for this new useless popup.
To listen to MartinZ, it doesn't sound like users are being heard that way.
In addition, questions other than simply removing the popup are asked and may require a survey opinion (possibility of control as said by  RejZoR, time adjustment,.....)
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 09, 2019, 08:27:42 PM
thanks for all the feedback provided (even for the negative one ;-). For this type of test beta isn't ideal as there isn't that many users and the country distribution isn't the same as for production. It's not related to any product version, targeting all 18+ versions. what is the biggest concern? the message itself? the time unless it hides? the frequency (once per 24h)?
the message itself undoubtedly   :(
you can display a protection message, so you should be able to propose a non-protection message(it already exists), the latter is much more useful

such a message without having the possibility to remove it is - in my opinion - a lack of respect for the user (almost a breach of the rules)

Wouldn't it be possible to answer your questions through a poll here?
I could create it myself but I'm not very comfortable setting it up with the right questions
A poll will be as useless as the popup being discussed. It will only confirm what's already been expressed, an overwhelming dislike for this new useless popup.
To listen to MartinZ, it doesn't sound like users are being heard that way.
In addition, questions other than simply removing the popup are asked and may require a survey opinion (possibility of control as said by  RejZoR, time adjustment,.....)

If a control ever happened (which I hope isn't needed because it should be removed completely) I can imagine it will be buried in the geek:area (Iv'e even forgotten its name) where your average user is unlikely to find it.  And remain pi33ed at this totally pointless popup.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: MartinZ on April 12, 2019, 12:20:00 PM
Hi guys,
do you perceive this notification as an ad?
We paused it for now and will do some adjustments to it so it doesn't raise so many negative emotions. (faster hiding, option not to show again, not showing that often etc.)
I can also assure that not a single developer of the core AV team doesn't work on this, so it's not being done in trade-off some av functions ;-)
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: bob3160 on April 12, 2019, 03:38:06 PM
Hi guys,
do you perceive this notification as an ad?
We paused it for now and will do some adjustments to it so it doesn't raise so many negative emotions. (faster hiding, option not to show again, not showing that often etc.)
I can also assure that not a single developer of the core AV team doesn't work on this, so it's not being done in trade-off some av functions ;-)
I still haven't see the popup.
Martin, I don't understand what you're trying to convey in your last sentence? Can you rephraze it? Thanks
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: DavidR on April 12, 2019, 05:18:01 PM
Hi guys,
do you perceive this notification as an ad?
We paused it for now and will do some adjustments to it so it doesn't raise so many negative emotions. (faster hiding, option not to show again, not showing that often etc.)
I can also assure that not a single developer of the core AV team doesn't work on this, so it's not being done in trade-off some av functions ;-)

I would assume many would have seen it as an ad given the frequency of other toaster popup ads for other paid services.

In all honesty, reworking something that serves no purpose is beyond me. 

What purpose is/was it trying to convey, we all know Avast is protecting us, that is after all why we installed it (it has protected my system/s for over 15 years).  If it weren't protecting us, we would expect the tray icon or windows to tell us it wasn't running, a shield or out of date, etc.  On this point shouldn't overseer also indicate it found a problem, if it hasn't been able to resolve it.

With all of these other indicators I don't see the need for this one, even if it is up for a shorter time or less frequently or give the option not to display it.  For me it is all about what is its purpose and what is it trying to convey.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: mchain on April 12, 2019, 05:40:22 PM
Simply put, what is this pop-up meant to tell us that is different from what we already know?
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: rocksteady on April 12, 2019, 05:45:53 PM
do you perceive this notification as an ad?
I do not really perceive the popup as an "ad", just a nuisance. Does not serve any purpose IMO.
I am pleased it has been called off.
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: YeOldeBowler on April 12, 2019, 06:05:11 PM
As this was not introduced by the AV team perhaps the team that did instigate it could let us know what it's purpose is.
Seems like a waste of time and effort for no valid or useful reason...
Title: Re: Shows popup "You have been protected by Avast antivirus"
Post by: chris.. on April 12, 2019, 07:01:21 PM
I think that what bothers users the most is the wording, the form ...
more than what avast wanted to implement.
Wouldn't it be different if the window said something like that?
"In the last 24 hours, your virus database has been updated." as in the past "that some users liked" (MartinZ #25), but in a less invasive way

Edit:But it's just to try to understand the little pleasure that avast wants to impose, personally I agree with the others here, thank you for completely leaving out this useless window.