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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: Gabriel Knight on August 31, 2009, 01:35:51 PM

Title: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Gabriel Knight on August 31, 2009, 01:35:51 PM
For 21 years the free version of avast!  was known as "avast! x.x Home Edition" why rip the home edition out of avast! and name it like all the lame free AVs?

avast! was pretty original for many years because of it's detection efficiency and low resources using, and it's DVD interface looking GUI (witch kinda sucked having an AV that looks like a DVD player but i guess it worked for back then)

My point is you should have left the name of the free version "Home Edition" not avast! Free Antivirus, it sounds as bad and unreliable like AVG Free and Avira AntiVir Free. Whoever would have looked for a free AV they only needed to write it on google, or go on avast.com, it's not that complicated, not even for newbies.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Lisandro on August 31, 2009, 02:02:00 PM
The name changing is due to search engines (look for free antivirus, not home antivirus).
It's an old scheme, as well Professional version (that would change to Premium afik).
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: cinchez on August 31, 2009, 02:44:37 PM
There is no such thing as constant in this world, even in the cyberworld.^^ Change is always present^^

Its ok, since only the name changes, not its efficiency, accuracy and power at fighting malware^^

Although i like the "home edition" name, but what can I do?^^ Only one choice, that is to accept it^^

-AnimeLover^^
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: DavidR on August 31, 2009, 04:05:39 PM
I would have to agree with the OP as changing the actual name of the antivirus doesn't necessarily equate to better search results, if that is the true purpose of the name change. What does improve search result placement is search engine optimisation of avasts web pages and the promotional blurb that is given to the various software download sites.

So I did a google search for 'free antivirus' (without the quotes) and avast was third and forth after you know who (see image). It is quite some way ahead of the various download sites as it seems to give priority placement to the vendors site.

So whilst it is still called avast Home Edition and getting third in the rankings, changing the name wouldn't seem to be able to bring any huge gain in search placement when there are only two places above it to try and gain.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: mouniernetwork on August 31, 2009, 04:12:31 PM
I would have to agree with the OP as changing the actual name of the antivirus doesn't necessarily equate to better search results, if that is the true purpose of the name change. What does improve search result placement is search engine optimisation of avasts web pages and the promotional blurb that is given to the various software download sites.

So I did a google search for 'free antivirus' (without the quotes) and avast was third and forth after you know who (see image). It is quite some way ahead of the various download sites as it seems to give priority placement to the vendors site.

So whilst it is still called avast Home Edition and getting third in the rankings, changing the name wouldn't seem to be able to bring any huge gain in search placement when there are only two places above it to try and gain.

If I remember correctly Vince or Vlk explained that it was to clarify the role of this version and expand and clarify that home users shouldn't be absolutly getting this version and that a paid version may be more appropriate for them and maybe even getting the idea that by choosing this product you will be getting a free product of high quality but still a free product.
Then again it's only what I felt when it was explained

Al968
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: DavidR on August 31, 2009, 05:34:33 PM
Well the important bit on my post being highlighted in bold:
Quote from: DavidR
<snip>changing the actual name of the antivirus doesn't necessarily equate to better search results, if that is the true purpose of the name change.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Marc57 on August 31, 2009, 05:43:56 PM
If they're so concerned about search, I wish they would do something about a fake Avast (Antivirus 2009) being second on the list when you search for Avast.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: spg SCOTT on August 31, 2009, 06:11:03 PM
Hi Marc57,

If they're so concerned about search, I wish they would do something about a fake Avast (Antivirus 2009) being second on the list when you search for Avast.
I'm not sure that ALWIL can do too much about this, besides report it like I have below...

Found this when searching on what to do about that:
http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=16162

I have reported it using the first link in step 2, giving the relevant search info and a link to your post.
I suppose if enough people report it, it may get removed...

-Scott-
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Marc57 on August 31, 2009, 06:18:54 PM
Thanks Scott, I reported it also.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: spg SCOTT on August 31, 2009, 06:50:31 PM
Thanks Scott, I reported it also.
No problem :)

Now lets see what they do about it...
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Lisandro on August 31, 2009, 09:01:54 PM
If they're so concerned about search, I wish they would do something about a fake Avast (Antivirus 2009) being second on the list when you search for Avast.
I can't believe... a sponsored link ???
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: DavidR on August 31, 2009, 10:04:23 PM
Sponsored links have been used by this sort of thing and malware for some time now.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Lisandro on August 31, 2009, 10:41:03 PM
Sponsored links have been used by this sort of thing and malware for some time now.
Shame on Google. They must have a way to prevent that.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Dwarden on September 01, 2009, 12:35:33 AM
Avast 5 Free Home Edition and You get all inside ;)
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Marc57 on September 01, 2009, 01:00:32 AM
Thanks Scott, I reported it also.
No problem :)

Now lets see what they do about it...

It seems to be fixed now, Let's see how long it lasts.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: spg SCOTT on September 01, 2009, 01:03:09 AM
It seems to be fixed now, Let's see how long it lasts.

Yes, I don't get any sponsored links (for) now...
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: CharleyO on September 01, 2009, 04:50:30 PM
***

Sponsored links have been used by this sort of thing and malware for some time now.
Shame on Google. They must have a way to prevent that.

Why should Google do anything when they make money from these sponsored links?


***
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Lisandro on September 01, 2009, 05:53:26 PM
Why should Google do anything when they make money from these sponsored links?
Don't you think nobody decent should make money with a fake program?
I suppose the malware changes the results... I can't believe Google earns with ad of a fake program...
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Mr.Agent on September 01, 2009, 11:32:54 PM
I can also cant believe why google allow them to publish their website on their search web.... ::)
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: mathboyx215 on September 02, 2009, 01:17:28 AM
I can also cant believe why google allow them to publish their website on their search web.... ::)
Its all about money.Its also the same thing with host providers.They allow malicious domains to be hosted on their server and they never take them down.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Marc57 on September 06, 2009, 06:13:32 PM
It's Baaaaack, The only thing that's changed is the URL.

I've reported it again.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: Lisandro on September 06, 2009, 07:52:12 PM
This is another reason for me to use "Customize Google" addon into Firefox.
No adds, no sponsored links, no side bar links suggested...
Nothing, just search.
Thanks for the developers of that addon.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: DavidR on September 06, 2009, 08:21:18 PM
Yes, Customise Google add-on for firefox is on my system so I never see those sponsored ads.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: spg SCOTT on September 07, 2009, 12:26:12 AM
It should be a case of common sense, surely. That should be as simple as blacklisting any domains that are not avast.com for that search...google doesn't check, they just take money... >:( :-\

BTW thanks for the customise addon, looks good :)

-Scott-
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: DavidR on September 07, 2009, 01:54:22 AM
Hardly simple as the download sites also have a legitimate reason to have them.
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: cinchez on September 07, 2009, 02:55:35 AM
If this is the case, then the user's action is a very important factor^^

-AnimeLover^^
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: CharleyO on September 07, 2009, 03:15:39 PM
***

Yes, Customise Google add-on for firefox is on my system so I never see those sponsored ads.

And for those who do not use Firefox, there is always Scroogle :

http://www.scroogle.org/cgi-bin/scraper.htm


***
Title: Re: avast! 5 free version name change? Why?
Post by: DavidR on September 07, 2009, 05:17:39 PM
Scroogle is good, but it looks absolutely awful, there is stripping out the ads, etc. but to me it looks like early bulletin board layout.

I used to use scroogle, but soon tired of the bland interface so went to customize google, but if I didn't have firefox I still wouldn't use scroogle, I would just ignore the ads.