Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Ludwig5 on April 16, 2019, 07:56:41 PM
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How do i remove the option to scan for sensitive documents in the smartscan? I dont really like this since i can think myself what is sensitive and what is not in my computer.
Latest Avast version on Windows 10.
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AFAIK you can't.
What version of avast are you running?
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Through the custom installation it is possible to avoid, in the paid versions, to install the Sensitive Data Protection. The problem is that the scan is still done, the unprotected documents are identified and to get out of it you have to ignore and skip the step !!
This is just one of the drawbacks of the latest versions of Avast that are driving many users away from this glorious past antivirus! Many prefer to keep Windows Defender integrated plus, in Windows 10, in Windows Security. What are the boot times of the PC with Avast? What are the drawbacks that come out systematically after each release of new versions?
In reality the scanning of Sensitive Documents, and the relative protection, has the consequence that anyone who sits in front of the computer can access it very easily. He doesn't have to go looking for them among the multiple folders on the computer, but he can access them simply by opening the related antivirus interface !!
To protect sensitive documents there are other ways and among them also the use of passwords.
I am among those who have decided, with regret, to abandon Avast. For some time now it has been difficult to make a slim and performing antivirus available to users, as I believe should be a good antivirus.
Good job everyone !
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Personally I rarely run on-demand scans, Smart or otherwise.
With a resident (on-access) scanner the need for on-demand scans is much depreciated. For the most part dormant/inert files are being scanned, the other active files are going to be scanned by the resident shields when they are activated.
Generally I only run them as a result of questions in the forums, to capture info/images.
Whilst the Smart Scan is different as it also scans for non virus/malware related issues, having run it once for those issues, why keep running it to effectively keep tell you the same thing again and again. Often for problems that would require the purchase of one of the paid modules.
For me, if there is no way to customise what is run in the Smart (not so smart) Scan then I exercise extreme customisation, I don't run it regularly (outside of the reasons given above).
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It is very disappointing that Avast has not fixed this issue by now.
It has been the subject of several forum threads for over a year now.
DavidR: While Smart Scan my not suit your needs it is the "big green scan button" provided on the opening screen of Avast and it should work correctly.
It was reported to moderator Martin Z back in May 2018 and he said it would be fixed
see here https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=219119.msg1462434#msg1462434
I am an independent computer support engineer supporting mainly elderly home users - and almost all the Avast support calls I get are due to this issue. It does not inspire confidence in end-users to be told to ignore a detection warning - or not to use the "Big Green Scan" button on the Avast front page.
Many have suggested Avast have chosen not to fix this erroneous scan option as it leads to an advert for the paid for version where the Sensitive Documents module is supported. This type of misguided advertising was common on the AVG product and was one of the main reasons I jumped ship to Avast.
Please fix this issue - it just leads to customer confusion and annoyance.
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This type of misguided advertising was common on the AVG product and was one of the main reasons I jumped ship to Avast.
Avast and AVG become one >> https://blog.avast.com/avast-and-avg-become-one
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Please fix this issue - it just leads to customer confusion and annoyance.
+1
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I would appreciate so much an opinion from users, certainly more experienced than me, on what I said in the previous message and, that is, that the scanning of Sensitive Documents (the relative protection in real time is always active) has as a consequence that whoever sits in front to the computer (and wants to look around) it can be accessed very easily. It doesn't have to go looking for them among the multiple folders of the computer, but it can consult them simply opening the relative interface and clicking on the lens positioned to the right of the documents !! In short, we want to protect / hide these documents from prying eyes and instead facilitate research and consultation.
I wonder and ask, ultimately, if this feature is really useful.
I will not dwell on some other features, which are not exactly an antivirus, of which any user a bit expert could do without!
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Well, you can set a password for the UI, so only you can see what was found.
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It is very disappointing that Avast has not fixed this issue by now.
It has been the subject of several forum threads for over a year now.
DavidR: While Smart Scan my not suit your needs it is the "big green scan button" provided on the opening screen of Avast and it should work correctly.
It was reported to moderator Martin Z back in May 2018 and he said it would be fixed
see here https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=219119.msg1462434#msg1462434
I am an independent computer support engineer supporting mainly elderly home users - and almost all the Avast support calls I get are due to this issue. It does not inspire confidence in end-users to be told to ignore a detection warning - or not to use the "Big Green Scan" button on the Avast front page.
Many have suggested Avast have chosen not to fix this erroneous scan option as it leads to an advert for the paid for version where the Sensitive Documents module is supported. This type of misguided advertising was common on the AVG product and was one of the main reasons I jumped ship to Avast.
Please fix this issue - it just leads to customer confusion and annoyance.
This issue I originally posted will soon be 1 year old. I will not be sending a Birthday cake.
I have given up using Smart Scan and advised others to do the same. This is a real shame as it once was a useful all-in-one quick check tool. We continue to see more users here on the forum complaining about it but nothing is done to fix it. Many of us regular users are aware of Avast in-program sales tactics, but it seem clear that many new users are confused and/or just put off by it all.
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DougCuk writes
“Many have suggested Avast have chosen not to fix this erroneous scan option as it leads to an advert for the paid for version where the Sensitive Documents module is supported. This type of misguided advertising was common on the AVG product and was one of the main reasons I jumped ship to Avast.”
You can install a paid version to customize it and decide you don't want the Sensitive Data form. The problem is that then the scan is still performed, exactly as if it were a free version and the hassle remains!
Asyn writes
“Well, you can set a password for the UI, so only you can see what was found”.
I knew of this possibility. Every time you want to do some operations with Avast but then you have to enter the password and, in any case, my question was: is a Module really necessary? Or can you, if you wish, resort to something different to protect personal documents?
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Since I do not control what Avast features and content are put into the program interface, what I do not need or require, I ignore.
Fixing the sensitive documents scan issue is entirely up to Avast. Since that issue is still there after a year, and several threads about it have been made during that time, it is less likely it will be fixed now. Don't run the Smart Scan. Run other scans if you must, instead.
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You can also password protect a folder which would prevent it from being scanned.
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Please fix this issue - it just leads to customer confusion and annoyance.
+1
Agreed, we would hope Avast catches this one as the time frame has been...questionable.
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The SmartScan process has been updated with new settings and a new interface.
My Avast Free shows as v19.4.2374 (build 19.4.4318.456)
The old circular progress UI has gone - now just shows a percentage completed figure.
But more importantly (so far) the "Sensitive Data" scan item has disappeared on my system.
Hopefully this update includes a permanent fix for this long standing annoyance.
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The SmartScan process has been updated with new settings and a new interface.
My Avast Free shows as v19.4.2374 (build 19.4.4318.456)
The old circular progress UI has gone - now just shows a percentage completed figure.
But more importantly (so far) the "Sensitive Data" scan item has disappeared on my system.
Hopefully this update includes a permanent fix for this long standing annoyance.
I have the same version and build as you but, I still have the old circular scan which still shows Sensitive Data
and ends up with the sales pitch.
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I am now seeing the new SmartScan on two of my computers here in the UK - one Win7 & one Win10.
But it looks like we are going to have the same problem with extra scan items appearing on some computers - as the Win10 computer is showing a third scan item titled "Advanced Issues" - which leads to an online ad for the paid version. It is pushing specific modules based on the scan results - in my case Sensitive Data Shield, Ransomeware Shield, Advanced Firewall and something called Real Site.
The SmartScan pauses on a results screen after each section (Browser Threats, Viruses & Malware etc) and awaits a mouse click - but the scan continues in the background and you can click through all the results screens when you are ready. You can stop the scan but only after you have viewed any results screen(s).
I have two screen caps - one of the new scan in progress and one of the Advanced Issues scan result
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Version 19.4.2374 (build 19.4.4318.456) of Avast Premier, without having installed the Sensitive Data module, and Free continue to scan (on my PC with the latest version Win 10), contrary to what DougCuk states, sensitive documents exactly as it has always done!
What other users say about it!
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I just ran Smart Scan on my Win10 1809, Avast 19.4.2374 (build 19.4.4318.456).
Here it now has the new horizontal progress line format same as illustrated by DougCuk. I guess it is being rolled out in time.
I have lost trust in Smart Scan, so stopped it after just 5secs. I'm not interested in the report and the consequential ads for paid products at the end.
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For my own personal usage of Avast Free the behaviour of SmartScan is a minor annoyance.
However I have recommended Avast Free to most of my family, friends and customers of my computer support business - and when the program starts showing warnings designed to scare the user I do not approve. Adverts that inform and recommend the advantages of the paid for program are fine - but adverts disguised as alarmist scan results are in in my opinion not acceptable advertising.
Screens appearing as part of a scan result - that imply you are at risk of ransomware attack and hackers stealing your private data, passwords and credit card details - are obviously designed to scare the user into parting with their money.
The new SmartScan is actually worse than the previous version - it is now targeting more than just Sensitive Document risks.
Is this really an acceptable advertising strategy?
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@ DougCuk
Personally I feel the Smart Scan is pretty damn dumb, it is counter intuitive. If the so called marketing gurus think this is going to have people buy additional Avast products, they need to go back to school. I would see people just stopping using the so called smart scan altogether, or worse still stop using avast completely.
I rarely use the Smart Scan outside of testing (and forum questions) and the main area of concern would be the network/WiFi scan if that doesn't show any issues, then why would I run this every time a smart scan runs.
For as long as the smart scan has been in existence, users have had very little control over what is run, so I don't bloody run it.
- With a resident (on-access) scanner the need for on-demand scans is much depreciated. For the most part dormant/inert files are being scanned, the other active files are going to be scanned by the resident shields when they are activated.
If this is correct (personally I believe so) there is little else worth running the smart scan for (WiFi exception mentioned) as these additional scans (that we have no control over) are for paid products, ads in other words.
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The problem we say about the "advertisements" does not only concern the free version, but unfortunately also the paid ones.
I tried several times to install the Premier version by unchecking the modules that do not interest me. Well, the Intelligent Scan is also performed for the non-installed modules and among them precisely Sensitive Data. Ultimately you pay but then you are not free to decide what to install and this I find at least original!
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The problem we say about the "advertisements" does not only concern the free version, but unfortunately also the paid ones.
I tried several times to install the Premier version by unchecking the modules that do not interest me. Well, the Intelligent Scan is also performed for the non-installed modules and among them precisely Sensitive Data. Ultimately you pay but then you are not free to decide what to install and this I find at least original!
As I said:
Personally I feel the Smart Scan is pretty damn dumb, it is counter intuitive. If the so called marketing gurus think this is going to have people buy additional Avast products, they need to go back to school. I would see people just stopping using the so called smart scan altogether, or worse still stop using avast completely.
This I feel goes double for those with paid versions of avast, you have to uncheck options not to see promotions for other avast programs, etc. These such options in a paid version of avast in my opinion should be opt_in and not opt_out by default.