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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Plaza525 on July 31, 2009, 08:59:52 PM

Title: What is AVG doing?
Post by: Plaza525 on July 31, 2009, 08:59:52 PM

I recently switched to Avast! Home edition and I'm pleased so far. I ran a full scan with avast and I cleaned out my computer (thanks). However, the AVG resident shield keeps detecting and removing what I think are tracking cookies that Avast! doesn't pick up. If AVG is detecting them, are they harmful to my computer or is AVG being a little over the top here? I also have an anti-spyware tool called Spyware Doctor, which I find runs great. I run an Intelli-scan every now and then to make sure there isn't any spyware. Any suggestions as to what might be causing AVG to detect these cookies (and how to get rid of them) and why Avast! is not detecting them?

Title: Re: What is AVG doing?
Post by: DavidR on July 31, 2009, 09:13:07 PM

Having two resident scanners installed is not recommended as rather than provide twice the protection it can cause conflicts that could leave you more vulnerable.

So you need to make your choice and uninstall AVG ;D

Cookies - pah, a waste of time and avast doesn't check for cookies.

Don't worry about reported tracking cookies they are a minor issue and not one of security. - See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie).

Title: Re: What is AVG doing?
Post by: Hermite15 on July 31, 2009, 11:00:49 PM

exactly, detecting tracking cookies is not a priority for a security software; if you're concerned, do the cleaning yourself (or run CCleaner)  ;)

Title: Re: What is AVG doing?
Post by: Plaza525 on July 31, 2009, 11:17:43 PM

Alright. Anyone know what the AVG removal tool link is? I think Avast! is great, although the alarm does tend to scare the daylights out of me.

Title: Re: What is AVG doing?
Post by: Lisandro on July 31, 2009, 11:19:40 PM

AVG Remover can be downloaded here: http://www.avg.com/download-tools

Title: Re: What is AVG doing?
Post by: Hermite15 on July 31, 2009, 11:20:25 PM

why don't you simply uninstall it with the Win interface?...AVG is unlikely to leave anything disturbing on your machine once removed...

Title: Re: What is AVG doing?
Post by: Tarq57 on July 31, 2009, 11:36:28 PM

Quote from: Logos on July 31, 2009, 11:20:25 PM

why don't you simply uninstall it with the Win interface?...AVG is unlikely to leave anything disturbing on your machine once removed...

Actually, in my experience of reading about folk with this installed, usually the reverse is true.
AVG can (and does) leave a lot behind.
Uninstall from the control panel first, for sure.
Uninstall components (like the linkscanner, the firewall,) if they remain, from the control panel if the entry is there, or from the browser add-on menu.
Then run the tool.
Running it can do no harm. On the other hand, it may do a fair bit of good.

Title: Re: What is AVG doing?
Post by: DavidR on July 31, 2009, 11:41:53 PM

Since AVG version 8 it seems that there are many occurrences of the normal uninstall not removing everything.

That is why we generally 'also' suggest running the removal tool after a conventional uninstall.