Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: myron121346 on February 15, 2010, 08:40:10 PM
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When attempting to download the free Avast antivirus, I followed several steps. After the 3rd step, the address www.avast.com changed to www.cnet.com then it changed to www.zoombli.com, which appears suspicious. Is www.zoombli.com legitimate or is it a virus hiding trying to get into my new notebook? In any case, I aborted the attempt. Should have I continued with www.zoombli.com? Also, does it matter if I download while using Internet Explorer or using Firefox. I prefer Firefox but some things won't download with Firefox.
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I just checked it. There is no zoombli in my download path. What language are you trying to download?
Use this link to download: http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?part=dl-85737&subj=dl&tag=button (http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?part=dl-85737&subj=dl&tag=button)
You can add languages later on in the settings of the GUI if you want to.
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Hi myron :)
I only installed Avast 5 on my laptop this afternoon 8)
Got my Avast 5 from Filehippo :D
Here : http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/
You just click the green button ( Top Right ) to download the latest version of Avast 5 ;)
Hally
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Firefox should work fine for download Avast.
Direct link to English Free version.
http://download833.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free_eng.exe (http://download833.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free_eng.exe)
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I will again attempt to download free Avast. I am using the English version. If I again see www.zoombli.com during the download path, I will again abort. I have used both Internet Explorer and Firefox and still get the www.zoombli.com on my address bar. I have been advised that it could be some sort of virus. I will report back my findings.
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This is odd.
http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/www.zoombli.com
http://hosts-file.net/?s=zoombli.com
FSA - sites engaged in the selling or distribution of bogus or fraudulent applications, or using misleading tactics to peddle applications
This classification is assigned to site's being used for the distribution of "rogue" security or other such applications, for example: SpyFalcon, SpywareQuake, AdwareAlert etc.
As you can see, this shouldn't happen.
Can you describe exactly how you were trying to download avast!
This could be a symptom of malware.
-Scott-
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I'd say it is a symptom of malware working on the OP's machine.
@myron: it looks like your pc is infected.
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I did some hunting and ALWIL is hosting the files on their own servers if you want it directly from the horses mouth. ALWIL is not giving out links to their own servers because there is no way they could ever stand up to the load as the demand is so high. Download.com claims Avast 5 Free was downloaded 1,177,946 times last week! Its hard to believe but possible. IMO they were very smart not to even try and host the files themselves. Without further adieu here you go!
Avast 5 Free
Multi-Language: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe
English: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free_eng.exe
French: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free_fre.exe
Avast 5 Pro
Multi-Language: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_pro.exe
English: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_pro_eng.exe
French: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_pro_fre.exe
Avast 5 Internet Security
Multi-Language: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_ais.exe
English: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_ais_eng.exe
French: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_ais_fre.exe
More proof of my claim what a MISTAKE usng CNET or any other outside server to SAFELY distribute Avast...or any security product for that matter!!!
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I'd say it is a symptom of malware working on the OP's machine.
@myron: it looks like your pc is infected.
I was also redirected in one of my attempts across CNet to download Avast!. Now, nless you are saying that right after reinstalling my OS and SP's, that I went to Avast, who redirected me to CNet that I was compomised somewhere in between
...then who has the poor server settings; Cnet or Alwil? THAT WAS THE ONLY INTERNET ACTION I USED AFTER RE-INSTALLING/UPDATING MY OS.(btw...the windows FW was set to HIGH and block all incoming connections, so again, it was doubtful it was local.
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You were redirected from cnet to somewhere else?
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You were redirected from cnet to somewhere else?
This is VERY common...not normal or safe but COMMON.
It has been a problem of CNet's for a while now...but again, why would a security vendor EVER redirect me from their site they can usually GARUNTEE the download from.
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Hi :)
I've Got To Say... I'm with hyjaxltd on this :(
We go to the Avast Website and click a Download Link .. We're then taken to another totally different website - With another Download Link ???
Starting To Have Doubts...
Some people may or may not click that second Download Link :-\
I Didn't! ::)
Feeling so uncomfortable that every time I clicked to download the English Version of Avast 5 Free...
I was taken to Download.com / CNet - To a Download Link for the Multi Language Version :o
In The End!
Thought... " No Way! - If I'm going to end up with the Multi Language Version anyway... May as well have it from Filehippo "
So! .. That's What I Did ;)
Filehippo : http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/
But Avast 5 really should be available.. Directly From Avast >:(
Hally
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It is available from avast!, when I click download now for the multi language version, it is downloaded from an ALWIL server.
I think the point of users being sent to CNET (where avast! has been downloaded from before version 5) is to reduce the load on their servers, that would put an enormous strain on their servers...
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Neither was I redirected to the site from the Cnet. If the majority were redirected from Cnet, I think there would be a lot of complains at that site. So, I think it is rather natural for Zyndstoff to suspect that it may be the deeds of malware.
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Hi :)
It was the English Version of Avast 5 Free that I was trying to download from the Avast Website - Not Multi Language!
However!
When I was sent straight to another download link at Download.com / CNet ... It was still the Multi Language anyway >:(
Don't Think It's Malware
Just think Avast need to sort out something better for their downloads ::)
Hally
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Neither was I redirected to the site from the Cnet. If the majority were redirected from Cnet, I think there would be a lot of complains at that site. So, I think it is rather natural for Zyndstoff to suspect that it may be the deeds of malware.
How many users do you think just thought, well, Alwil sent me here, maybe these guys moved it...and just downloaded it without seeing issue?
Now Alwil has infected versions that are coming here to report problems that have NOTHING TO DO WITH REAL AVAST.
Hi :)
I've Got To Say... I'm with hyjaxltd on this :(
We go to the Avast Website and click a Download Link .. We're then taken to another totally different website - With another Download Link ???
Starting To Have Doubts...
Some people may or may not click that second Download Link :-\
I Didn't! ::)
Feeling so uncomfortable that every time I clicked to download the English Version of Avast 5 Free...
I was taken to Download.com / CNet - To a Download Link for the Multi Language Version :o
In The End!
Thought... " No Way! - If I'm going to end up with the Multi Language Version anyway... May as well have it from Filehippo "
So! .. That's What I Did ;)
Filehippo : http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/
But Avast 5 really should be available.. Directly From Avast >:(
Hally
Thanks for getting COMMON SENSE with it Hally ;D
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It was the English Version of Avast 5 Free that I was trying to download from the Avast Website - Not Multi Language!
However!
When I was sent straight to another download link at Download.com / CNet ... It was still the Multi Language anyway >:(
Confirmed but there is only a few MB difference, which is completely different from being redirected to a malicious site in terms of the seriousness...
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Yes, the specific language versions seem to redirect to the multi-language version...
However, I think that we should let this thread go on it's original path, as it seems as though we are getting off topic and at risk of getting the thread locked again...
Waiting for myron to reply...
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Yes, the specific language versions seem to redirect to the multi-language version...
However, I think that we should let this thread go on it's original path, as it seems as though we are getting off topic and at risk of getting the thread locked again...
Waiting for myron to reply...
Indeed. For, it is a more serious issue.
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Hi :)
Can I Just Add One More Thing...
I never did click the Download Link on the Download.com / CNet wesite.
I just went to Filehippo instead 8)
However! - Myron Did! :(
And from what myron says...
It was only once the Download Link on the Download.com / CNet page was clicked ... Myron was then taken to the Zoombli page :o
Hally
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However! - Myron Did! :(
I did, too, under a considerable protection.
And from what myron says...
It was only once the Download Link on the Download.com / CNet page was clicked ... Myron was then taken to the Zoombli page :o
The story is different here. I wasn't redirected to the site at all. I know I'm repeating here but if the majority were redirected, Cnet site must be "like a lit Christmas tree" if I quote someone.
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BINGO...
I know where the zoombli connection comes from,
On the CNET download page there are 2 ads for 'Advanced Registry Optimizer 5' which has a referral link to, yep you guessed it, zoombli.com....
One is permanent (image 1)
The other seems to be randomly circulated (image 2)
Is there the possibility that this was clicked at any point?
The random one is easily clicked by accident, I did as the page was loading, which was what led me to it...
-Scott-
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Yes, the specific language versions seem to redirect to the multi-language version...
However, I think that we should let this thread go on it's original path, as it seems as though we are getting off topic and at risk of getting the thread locked again...
Waiting for myron to reply...
Shoot, Myrons probably worried hes just gonna be told to deal with it like some of us are being told... :-X
Actually, I dont see this as to far off the OP topic. His questions concern downloading Avast and why all the redirects...thats what we are all talking about here...right ???
This is a BIG problem in Alwils eyes...right :o
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Scott wrote:
BINGO...
I know where the zoombli connection comes from,
On the CNET download page there are 2 ads for 'Advanced Registry Optimizer 5' which has a referral link to, yep you guessed it, zoombli.com....
One is permanent (image 1)
The other seems to be randomly circulated (image 2)
Is there the possibility that this was clicked at any point?
The random one is easily clicked by accident, I did as the page was loading, which was what led me to it...
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Sounds reasonable... I tried several times now: I wasn't redirected once from cnet to somewhere else. Nor has it happened before, whenever I went to cnet to download something.
myron was the only one who reported this, as far as I understand this thread?
So the above explanation could be right...
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Scott wrote:
BINGO...
I know where the zoombli connection comes from,
On the CNET download page there are 2 ads for 'Advanced Registry Optimizer 5' which has a referral link to, yep you guessed it, zoombli.com....
One is permanent (image 1)
The other seems to be randomly circulated (image 2)
Is there the possibility that this was clicked at any point?
The random one is easily clicked by accident, I did as the page was loading, which was what led me to it...
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Sounds reasonable... I tried several times now: I wasn't redirected once from cnet to somewhere else. Nor has it happened before, whenever I went to cnet to download something.
myron was the only one who reported this, as far as I understand this thread?
So the above explanation could be right...
Unless the link had "Download" in a big green button that instigated me being directed to 'the filed bible' download page...this is not whats happening. Or are you pruposing that CNet has its links mismatched...I could buy that. But I did not click anything EXCEPT for the download button. I am VERY familiar with how CNet is laid out. But again, this is not a common thing over trying to download from CNet...and its not specific to the Avast download, but here in the forum does relate to Avast.
I undertand how many might think we just didnt know where to click to download it after the first redirect via Alwil to CNet...but we all know what happens when we assume 8) and I dont feel like being one today. Again, I am VERY famaliar with CNets page design. Again, this was not the first time Iv been redirected on CNet...one time it even started a download and I ALWAYS have permissions set to ask me what to name something and where to put it.
I dont really blame CNet either, Im only saying that Avast should not be treated as a media player as far as its marketing.
The 'hijak'(no pun nor refernece to me exists here) exists...sorry, an its not ftrom us absent mindedly clicking on an ad.
...Cnet site must be "like a lit Christmas tree" if I quote someone.
...yea, Id say thats a good analogy...