Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: sniperfodder on August 18, 2011, 12:19:13 AM
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I'm using the Free version of Avast on my gaming rig. Earlier today I logged onto my PC to discover Avast complaining that I was using Avast in a corporate environment without paying for it. That's great and all, Except I'm not in a corporate environment. The question I have to ask is, how do i assure avast that I'm running it for personal use? Or is that random pop up box just going to happen once every other month? Also, do I have to worry about Avast deactivating itself if I just ignore the pop up box?
If it makes any difference... My PC is joined to a Domain, but it's my personal domain that I run at home. It makes managing my families PC's that much easier.
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Please forgive me for asking this.
Open Avast main GUI -> maintenance -> About Avast.
You should see there your program version and the virus definition version. Just above Program Version and under "Information about avast! security application.", you should see the exact complete name of the program. What exactly is the name of the program?
The reason I ask is that is very common for users to download a trial edition of Avast (Pro or IS), thinking it is the same as the Free edition. It is NOT the same.
If the complete name displayed there is "avast! Free Antivirus", then maybe the problem could be the domain issue (please don't take my word about this; you would need someone else confirming that).
If the complete name displayed there is NOT "avast! Free Antivirus", but instead is something similar (but still different), then your edition of Avast is not really the "free" edition.
The Free edition is legally used under a home, non-commercial situation and still requires a simple free registration once a year.
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Nope, it says "avast! Free Antivirus" as well as Program Version: 6.0.1.203. I've been using the free edition since I installed avast. Under Registration it says I'm registered from 5/16/2011 to 5/15/2012.
That's the only thing I can think of for avast moaning about me using it in a business, cause probably 95%+ of home networks use work group instead of domain. I'm just worried about it thinking I'm violating the license terms and terminating my protection.
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I'm using the Free version of Avast on my gaming rig. Earlier today I logged onto my PC to discover Avast complaining that I was using Avast in a corporate environment without paying for it. That's great and all, Except I'm not in a corporate environment. The question I have to ask is, how do i assure avast that I'm running it for personal use? Or is that random pop up box just going to happen once every other month? Also, do I have to worry about Avast deactivating itself if I just ignore the pop up box?
If it makes any difference... My PC is joined to a Domain, but it's my personal domain that I run at home. It makes managing my families PC's that much easier.
If the popup is asking for money my guess is that it is Malware and your computer is infected.
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Then I guess Avast is malware then. I have no rogue process's and the popup came from Avast itself.
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After appearing not to worry too much about corporate use of 'avast! Free' for so long, it would be ironic if this is a genuine attempt to alert corporate users to the restrictions of the Free version, that it results in "collateral damage".
That said, I would have guessed that the number of people with home domains is very small. The idea is good but the cost of MS Server OS and licensing has always been an effective road-block for me.
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The popup is genuine. We recently ran a "campaign" like this.
The check is pretty simple: if the computer is part of ActiveDirectory, and there's more then 3 computers in the AD, avast thinks it's a business environment (as opposed to home environment).
This may cause some very small number of "false positives", but is generally quite accurate.
If you're really using avast for non-commercial purposes at home, please accept our apologies.
Thanks
Vlk
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Oh yea, not a problem. I completely understand what you mean. My server, My dad's PC, My Gaming Rig, My laptop, My Brother's PC, and a spare PC are all on the domain. It makes it easier on the family if we all have a login that can work on each other's PC, as well as the ability to push out software and the like to all the machines on the domain. As far as I know my PC is the only machine on the network with Avast running on it.
I'm glad to know it was just a campaign trying to target those business's that use your software against your TOS. I haven't run with an Anti-Virus in well over 2 years prior to starting avast. I used Avast to sort of check and see how well I was doing without one. Suffice it to say I was doing fine, but I like the fact that Avast works well (I've recommended it to several people I've helped who had virus's, and Avast took care of them) and is low impact on my system.
I'd pay for the Pro version, but the Free one has the features I want and I'm short on funds. Thanks for making avast and letting me know about this dialogue :)
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My apologies in advance for this OT.
@Vlk, it's not "nice" to delete valid posts that are respecting the forum's rules >:(
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@Vlk, it's not "nice" to delete valid posts that are respecting the forum's rules >:(
Why do you think it was Vlk who did anything with them? ???
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@Vlk, it's not "nice" to delete valid posts that are respecting the forum's rules >:(
Why do you think it was Vlk who did anything with them? ???
Although this is OT, I don't want to leave your question in the air.
Before Vlk posted in this topic, there were a couple of spammers/trolls/trashers posting all over the forum, including in this topic.
I (and others) posted (in this topic and others) after one of those non-welcomed posts, yet before Vlk.
I have reasons to believe that those trashing posts were deleted, together with some other valid posts, including mine.
Not only Vlk happened to post in this topic after my (deleted, not by me) post, but he is also the Global Moderator of the forum.
Whether, he in particular is the specific mod that deleted those valid posts (mine was NOT the only one), or whether some other mod decided to "massively" delete posts (valid or otherwise), is not the *key* word/phrase in my previous post.
From my point of view, as a simple common forum member, Vlk is still the main address to respectfully request to avoid this type of actions.
Let's close this OT, and hope this won't happen again.
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Can we see a screenshot of the alert, for future reference for us here?
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Sorry, I didn't think to screen shot it when it Occurred. I only realized after I closed the dialogue that maybe I should come ask about it.
I can describe it as the following: It contains the look and feel of Avast. The only exception is up top is a Box in red and white that informs the user that using avast for business with a personal license is against the TOS. Below the box is a dialogue that looks like most avast purchase pages.
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I am also getting this warning. Is there no way to stop it? I do runh a home domain with more than 3 workstations...
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Can we see a screenshot of the alert, for future reference for us here?
Ok, nabbed one off the avast Facebook page...this is what it looks like.
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Can we see a screenshot of the alert, for future reference for us here?
Ok, nabbed one off the avast Facebook page...this is what it looks like.
I like that! I wish there was a way to stop them from using avast! for FREE.
I mean, I pay, why shouldn't they?
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Yep! That's the exact screen I saw. Bloody scared it me it did XD
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Hi all,
we will show this screen again few times this week. If you are running a home network, please just close the screen and accept our apologies. We haven't found a better way how to target the business environment more precisely.
Thank you
Martin
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Not a problem. Now that I know what it is I'm not going to freak out. XD
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I don't know how this would stand in court but maybe ask a question in the box like: "It appears you are using our software in a corporate environment. In order to remove this message please answer the following question. Are you using our software for home use or for corporate/business use?".
If they answer "home" then the message doesn't appear again. If they do in fact use the software for business and select "home" then you have them on record.
Just an idea...
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If they answer "home" then the message doesn't appear again. If they do in fact use the software for business and select "home" then you have them on record.
The problem is, how to prove it...
There will always be an issue of finding the balance between preventing this and causing issues for genuine users (e.g. sniperfodder)
For example, I imagine that there are a few people that only use 1 pc with avast free on it in a business environment, how to catch that without causing trouble for all those normal users that use it legitimately.
As it stands now, I am glad that avast are trying to prevent this from happening (finally ;)), and by doing it the way they are now there are two benefits:
1. Most, typical avast users are not affected (but there will always be some, case in point this thread)
2. They are targeting the situations where it has the most impact on them commercially, i.e. those that may be requiring many licenses.
And another thing...it is nice to see a thread about an avast popup that is well received...rather than "blah...I will remove...blah..." you get what I mean... :) (kudos to you sniperfodder :))
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The popup is genuine. We recently ran a "campaign" like this.
The check is pretty simple: if the computer is part of ActiveDirectory, and there's more then 3 computers in the AD, avast thinks it's a business environment (as opposed to home environment).
This may cause some very small number of "false positives", but is generally quite accurate.
If you're really using avast for non-commercial purposes at home, please accept our apologies.
Thanks
Vlk
I am not sure why a "home user" would install RSAT tools including Active Directory unless they live on an estate?
Does anyone have any ideas why a "home user" would have a need for or want to install RSAT tools unless they live on an estate?
Thanks
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Surely sniperfodder's response to Vlk's post would answer that question?
Oh yea, not a problem. I completely understand what you mean. My server, My dad's PC, My Gaming Rig, My laptop, My Brother's PC, and a spare PC are all on the domain. It makes it easier on the family if we all have a login that can work on each other's PC, as well as the ability to push out software and the like to all the machines on the domain. As far as I know my PC is the only machine on the network with Avast running on it.
And to be honest, if I had that many pcs, then I would be looking to do the same thing...
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I use it to disable accounts when one of my kids is not allowed on the computer. I also like that anyone can log into any computer and get their data and settings.
I used to be in IT and I was lucky enough to have Microsoft send me a 5 user Windows 2003 Standard Edition... if it wasn't for that I wouldn't be using a domain. I have 10 PCs (3 virtual) on the network and 4 wireless devices, but only 4 run Windows with Avast.
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So it sounds like when people turn their network into a corporate business type network by using RTS tools and Active Directory that avast! nails them with this reminder.
Avast has it correct again. ;D
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And another thing...it is nice to see a thread about an avast popup that is well received...rather than "blah...I will remove...blah..." you get what I mean... :) (kudos to you sniperfodder :))
Yea, I like Avast. Plus it's not the program's fault that the program is doing it's job XD
I use it to disable accounts when one of my kids is not allowed on the computer. I also like that anyone can log into any computer and get their data and settings.
I used to be in IT and I was lucky enough to have Microsoft send me a 5 user Windows 2003 Standard Edition... if it wasn't for that I wouldn't be using a domain. I have 10 PCs (3 virtual) on the network and 4 wireless devices, but only 4 run Windows with Avast.
Hahaha Yea. If I ever kids they are going to hate me, since I'm pretty decent with PC's :D
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Good movement of antipiracy.
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The popup is genuine. We recently ran a "campaign" like this.
The check is pretty simple: if the computer is part of ActiveDirectory, and there's more then 3 computers in the AD, avast thinks it's a business environment (as opposed to home environment).
This may cause some very small number of "false positives", but is generally quite accurate.
If you're really using avast for non-commercial purposes at home, please accept our apologies.
Thanks
Vlk
But, will the popup coming back again and again? ???
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No Tech, we will just show it few more times and then it stops.
Martin
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No Tech, we will just show it few more times and then it stops.
Martin
Thanks. Good policy. And, please ;), run it from time to time :)
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I guess I should read the EULA again since I don't remember agreeing that Avast could collect info on my workgroup or domain.
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It doesn't collect anything, everything's done locally.
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I guess I should read the EULA again since I don't remember agreeing that Avast could collect info on my workgroup or domain.
Are you in this situation? I mean, using avast free in corporate environment? ;)
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so... how do i stop these popups? i get this a few times a week.
i also am put off by the fact that Avast is looking at the details of my domain. i didn't agree to allow this program that access.
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so... how do i stop these popups? i get this a few times a week.
They will stop on their own, this is a limited time thing.
Avast is looking at the details of my domain. i didn't agree to allow this program that access.
Sure you did, you installed an active security program that scans your network. ;)
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so... how do i stop these popups? i get this a few times a week.
Reading back to page two you will find....
Hi all,
we will show this screen again few times this week. If you are running a home network, please just close the screen and accept our apologies. We haven't found a better way how to target the business environment more precisely.
Thank you
Martin
I actually have NOT Seen the pop up anymore since the first time it has shown. Which confuses me. XD
i also am put off by the fact that Avast is looking at the details of my domain. i didn't agree to allow this program that access.
Like Gargamel360 said, you did. Avast has shields that run constantly in the background unless you disable them. They pretty much look at everything on your PC. I could write a java program that looks at the domain someone is on if I wanted to while it ran. The difference is AVAST doesn't collect that information and send it back, they just use it to trigger a window, client side.
Honestly, I feel having the pop up window is a relatively small price to pay for something that is provided to me free. And Avast works too. I understand you may not like that it does that, and you maybe don't want them collecting information about your network, but you have to trust the company to use their product. If you can't trust them, then don't use Avast.
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Thanks for clarifying this for us!
Unfortunately, my corporate life requires us to use that other virus protection package that begins with an M... :-X With that, I'm also licensed to use it on my home network, but choose to only run it on my servers. All Windows 7 boxes are running Avast! Free. Love the product and get everyone I know to switch. :D
Yes, that's correct... I'm running multiple servers... and I'm running a number of Windows 7 systems. ;) All of which are in AD. I'm not on some estate, but I do take full advantage of RSAT, Active Directory (thank you MSDN subscription), and VMware. Our photo, music, and movie libraries are all centralized, and SharePoint is what we use for our file shares and family planning/scheduling, amongst other things. To top that off, the kids can only log onto their systems under specific time restrictions, and have limitations on what they can do to their PCs and where they can surf. 8)
Basically, my home network is a test bed. The family are my guinea pigs. My wife has a PC and laptop, each of my kids have PCs, I have a PC and laptop (besides the work laptop that has that M product on it), and we have a couple of PCs that are dedicated Windows Media Center boxes attached to TVs. In addition, there's a PC set up in the guest room and one in the kitchen. All are on the domain and all are centrally managed. All have Avast! Free. ;D ... and yes... all have this message popping up. No biggy now!
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to sniperfodder:
I actually have NOT Seen the pop up anymore since the first time it has shown. Which confuses me. XD
After the first launch we increased the limit for connected computers in domain to 5. So if you have home network with less than 5 PCs, you shouldn't see the popup anymore.
Martin
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Interesting, are you viewing "Active" PC's? Cause I have 6 or so PC's joined to the domain, but only have 3 that have actually interacted with the domain in the past 6 months.
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still getting this
i thought it was supposed to stop
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Hi,
it has been restarted today, will display 3 times this week.
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If you are using Avast on a laptop in a college dormitory, is it normal to get this message?
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Are you actually getting the message ?
As I believe it would require that there be 5 or more avast free users active on the network.
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I actually am getting the message, yes. Our university issues students laptops that come with F-Prot Antivirus, which I don't entirely like, and I recently decided to switch back to good ol' Avast. I've received these messages I'd estimate three times; I suppose a lot of other people had the same thought I did.
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They periodically run this check and they have just run it again this week (3 times) as MartinZ said in his post. The problem being that with a lot of people connected to a network it must look like a small business network would look.
I don't know if others on the network might well have changed their systems to avast, quite possible as you thought.
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Vlk, please give me some answer.
Would it be possible to check/verify the number of avast unique installations connecting to the same business IP address.
Today I've visit an enterprise with more than 100 computers all using avast free antivirus...
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Today I've visit an enterprise with more than 100 computers all using avast free antivirus...
And you didn't pull the plug ??? ;D
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And you didn't pull the plug ??? ;D
Why will this help? Giving example? Preaching?
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And you didn't pull the plug ??? ;D
Why will this help? Giving example? Preaching?
Apparent language barrier.
Pulling the plug means to shut the thing down.
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No problems Bob.
Which "thing" are you talking about? Their network? Their computers?
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ma aunt got this today they have 2 computer at home and almost cant even get their email without issues (computer illiterate lol)
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ma aunt got this today they have 2 computer at home and almost cant even get their email without issues (computer illiterate lol)
For "only 2 computers" they wouldn't receive the "corporate pop up". It is set to at least 5 systems. They might have "some other systems connected" (non-wired connection unprotected?), or there is another explanation.
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they only own 2 pc's and have a blu ray player and wii which are wireless NOTHING else..
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Is there any possibility that others are also using the wifi and that they also have Avast?
I don't even know if that would trigger that message. We may be confused about the exact message. Could you attach a picture of it to your next post?
In any case, it is not something "permanent" (it is not a message showing every 5 minutes on every day).
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no one else using her wireless i had her check in the router. she is in nc and im in fl so ill have to see if i can get her to send me a screenshot next time she sees it
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still getting these
thought they were supposed to stop after a while
what's the deal?
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They'll keep popping up every once in awhile. It's not like you see them every day...
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They'll keep popping up every once in awhile. It's not like you see them every day...
i don't want to see them at all
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They'll keep popping up every once in awhile. It's not like you see them every day...
i don't want to see them at all
You're SOL then. I find it a minor inconvenience to have for such a great anti-virus that's provided to me Free for Personal use. So what if it thinks I'm on a Corporate Network and nags me once every 6 months? It's not like they lock out the software preventing you from using it. If you really want the pop up to go away, purchase a license. I'm sure it won't ever pop up again afterwords... Though I couldn't say because I'm not AVAST.