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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: bioxx750 on November 14, 2011, 11:47:11 AM

Title: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 14, 2011, 11:47:11 AM
Dear Avast,

Its been 2 weeks since you started to pester me with pop ups. That's one month b4 my license expires. Since you do this 5-6 time per day it's been roughly 77 times that you stole visual focus of other applications on one computer alone. Not only that, you also push yourself to the foreground when other full screen applications are running. What makes matters worse is that the pop up is coloured the same a virus alert is.

By the end of my licenses I will have been about 450 times (3 licenses= 3 computers) annoyed by you. If you think that I'm looking forward to this happening all over again in one year's time should I re-new my licenses then you are sadly mistaken.

Best regards
'Why did I have to pay for this?'
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Asyn on November 14, 2011, 11:52:37 AM
Are you still on 4.8..??
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Pondus on November 14, 2011, 12:03:35 PM
Quote
If you think that I'm looking forward to this happening all over again in one year's time should I re-new my licenses then you are sadly mistaken.
That can be solved......buy a 3 year license   ;)
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Asyn on November 14, 2011, 12:08:15 PM
Quote
If you think that I'm looking forward to this happening all over again in one year's time should I re-new my licenses then you are sadly mistaken.
That can be solved......buy a 3 year license   ;)

LOL ;D
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 14, 2011, 05:45:54 PM
Are you still on 4.8..??

Latest version
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Asyn on November 14, 2011, 05:47:22 PM
Are you still on 4.8..??

Latest version

Of what..???
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 14, 2011, 05:51:04 PM
Quote
If you think that I'm looking forward to this happening all over again in one year's time should I re-new my licenses then you are sadly mistaken.
That can be solved......buy a 3 year license   ;)

Yeah right. I can also sell my soul to Avast ;D

My point was merely that repeating the same message over and over again doesn't make it any more important or better.
If I had trouble remembering that Avast 'begged' me to re-new my license I would probably have forgotten that there is an AV installed in the first place.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 14, 2011, 05:51:55 PM
Are you still on 4.8..??

Latest version

Of what..???

2xAV, 1xAIS
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Asyn on November 14, 2011, 05:59:42 PM
Are you still on 4.8..??

Latest version

Of what..???

2xAV, 1xAIS

Still not sure.
Are you using version 4.8.??
Else, which version are you using..??
OS..??
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 14, 2011, 06:02:42 PM
Win7 pro, Intel i5, ram 6gb, Avast 6.0.1289
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Asyn on November 14, 2011, 06:12:03 PM
Win7 pro, Intel i5, ram 6gb, Avast 6.0.1289

Interesting..!!
I've never seen such behaviour on the 5/6 branch...!!
Are you sure that you have a legit license..??
Could you please post a screenshot of the pop-up..!?
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 14, 2011, 06:18:31 PM
Win7 pro, Intel i5, ram 6gb, Avast 6.0.1289

Interesting..!!
I've never seen such behaviour on the 5/6 branch...!!
Are you sure that you have a legit license..??
Could you please post a screenshot of the pop-up..!?

Funny, to some extend.

I have 3 legit/real licenses. I'll try for the screen shot.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Asyn on November 14, 2011, 06:19:35 PM
I'll try for the screen shot.

Ok.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 15, 2011, 07:09:32 AM
Win7 pro, Intel i5, ram 6gb, Avast 6.0.1289

Interesting..!!
I've never seen such behaviour on the 5/6 branch...!!
Are you sure that you have a legit license..??
Could you please post a screenshot of the pop-up..!?

Here you are

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/bioxx/Forum/14-11-201117-45-17.png)

AND

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/bioxx/Forum/15-11-201106-01-03.png)
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Asyn on November 15, 2011, 07:56:15 AM
Here you are

Thanks. The pop-ups look ok.
But no idea, why they would show that often..??
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: ady4um on November 15, 2011, 10:29:55 AM
This comment is not going to really solve your issue, but may help a bit.

You could change the values for the time the pop ups are shown on screen (settings -> pop ups -> change it to, say 4 seconds). Note that "zero" is NOT "zero seconds".

Also, you should note that the colour of the tray notification is not the same as a normal update.

As Asyn, I don't know why it is being displayed "so" frequently nor how to change that behaviour (other than renewing the license, of course).

In any case, the protection will stop if you finally decide not to renew the Pro license (AFAIK, you can't "transform" your Pro edition to the Free edition without uninstalling Avast Pro and installing Avast Free, but I may be wrong).

If you decide to renew the license, do it using the main GUI of Avast, so to "merge" the days still left of your current license with the new license (or consult with sales - a/T - avast D 0  T c0m).
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 15, 2011, 06:15:11 PM

You could change the values for the time the pop ups are shown on screen (settings -> pop ups -> change it to, say 4 seconds). Note that "zero" is NOT "zero seconds".

Thanks ady4um, I knew about the time settings. The intention of my post was to let Avast know  that good things can be overdone. In this case its overdone to the extreme. We all hate spam but this is as annoying as it can get.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Daris on November 16, 2011, 11:05:48 PM
Hi bioxx750 ....I don't know if it will work or if you want to do that...Nor was I ever in that situation, but I guess I would see if the "Silent Gaming Mode" in "Settings" next to your Help Centre  ...I would put a check mark in "Silent Gaming Mode" But I would customize my settings to put in Virus Chest or to Abort connection in Web Shield in case of danger...at least until I find more time to upgrade my license...This is what I would do  although I am not suggesting that you do this.. but if you do decide I guess I am also curious to know if this works...
Cheeeeers and safe surfinggggg
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 17, 2011, 05:47:04 AM
Daris, thanks for your reply. Yeah I guess I can do this but its only another 11 days to go.

I'm just wondering what we, the great unwashed masses of users, have done to make software providers think we are complete idiots. I'm used to telling things 20 times when I train dogs but at least they get a reward when they get it right. I don't, my reward would have been that I close that pop up ONCE A DAY, means I got it right and it stays closed.  ;D
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 17, 2011, 09:40:46 AM
This is what I mean, I was watching a film and.........


(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/bioxx/Forum/17-11-201108-27-40.png)


Yes, 'silent when full screen application is running' is enabled.

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/bioxx/Forum/17-11-201108-33-56.png)
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: Para-Noid on November 17, 2011, 05:58:15 PM
Here you are

Thanks. The pop-ups look ok.
But no idea, why they would show that often..??
+1 This is the first time I have heard that this particular pop-up happen this frequently?  ???
The simple solution is to renew and be done with it. Between now and his next renewal avast 7 will be out.  :)
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 17, 2011, 06:19:18 PM
The simple solution is to renew and be done with it. Between now and his next renewal avast 7 will be out.  :)

Or to go with something with a higher detection and much less pop ups  ;D
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: ady4um on November 17, 2011, 09:45:25 PM
@bioxx750,

As you see, more than one Avast user is commenting that this is not a usual situation.

But let's assume this is a usual situation for this specific type of "renew license" pop ups. I wonder if other types of pop ups were so frequent too, before these last days, or if they were so "annoying" (as per your descriptions) before too.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: JANEWAY on November 17, 2011, 10:48:24 PM
Looks like a different security notice behind it, Perhaps Micrsosft Security Essentials?
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: ArtemisF0wl on November 17, 2011, 11:19:23 PM
Looks like a different security notice behind it, Perhaps Micrsosft Security Essentials?

Good eye. It looks like either MSE or Outpost, but its too hard to tell. If it's Outpost, it shouldnt be a problem since a few users are running both alongside one another. However, if it's MSE, then you might have stumbled onto something.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 18, 2011, 06:03:11 AM
What you see behind one of the pop ups is the video I was watching.

MSE is not installed. Security centre is disabled.

I don't get any other pop ups from whatever application.

Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: ady4um on November 18, 2011, 10:34:50 AM
I don't get any other pop ups from whatever application.

But what about other pop ups of Avast (as I asked before)? (And the question has nothing to do with those unrelated comments about MSE nor anything else). My point is that you are upset at Avast because of this pop up (an I would be too), but I'd really like to know if this has happened with previous types of pop ups of Avast.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: YoKenny on November 18, 2011, 02:36:12 PM
Security centre is disabled.
Why did you disable Security centre ???

It looks like you are British ???
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 18, 2011, 05:51:26 PM
ady4um, only the Avast update pop up, set to 10sec

YoKenny, security centre is disabled coz its rather useless.

Yes, I'm a Brit
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: ady4um on November 18, 2011, 05:57:32 PM
only the Avast update pop up, set to 10sec

You meant the same ad / offer you posted before ONLY, right? Or do you meant that the  "definitions update" and / or "program update" tray notifications are "popping up" more frequently than they should? Is there any other pop up / notification with "strange" or unwanted behaviour?
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: YoKenny on November 18, 2011, 06:23:42 PM

YoKenny, security centre is disabled coz its rather useless.

Yes, I'm a Brit
Its not useless!

The Action center is good to see that your security is working and up to date.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: CraigB on November 18, 2011, 06:36:39 PM

YoKenny, security centre is disabled coz its rather useless.

Yes, I'm a Brit
Its not useless!

The Action center is good to see that your security is working and up to date.
+1 with security centre being disabled you can't monitor your security status, so your AV or firewall might become disabled and you wouldn't even know.
Without the security action centre i wouldn't have discovered that im haveing a system shutdown error with avast, not a smart thing to do at all  :o
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 21, 2011, 07:46:01 AM
^ security centre is completely unreliable. there are always problems with that thing not even recognising fully functional AV/FW software. If you need security centre to tell you that something is amiss on your computer then you better check your priorities.

the pop ups have stopped coz i un-installed it and replaced it with something much less annoying. a while ago i observed avast connecting to weird and wonderful ip addresses in strange countries. there was actually a thread on this forum (not started by me) but no clear explanation has come forward.

now i get bombarded with pop ups for a month. where in the license agreement does it say that i allow avast to spam me?
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: CraigB on November 21, 2011, 09:01:25 AM
^ security centre is completely unreliable. there are always problems with that thing not even recognising fully functional AV/FW software. If you need security centre to tell you that something is amiss on your computer then you better check your priorities.


Never been a problem with my security centre so i think your priorities should be to find out the underlying issue which is causing your SC to not function correctly as by just turning it off and ignoring the problem doesn't solve anything  ::)
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on November 21, 2011, 09:35:31 AM
There aren't any problems on any of my computers.

What's with the security centre anyway? It was the Avast pop ups which have absolutely nothing to do with it.

Thing is that Avast feels so bl**dy self-important that they think they have the right to pester paying!!! users with pointless pop ups.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: YoKenny on November 21, 2011, 02:45:42 PM

Thing is that Avast feels so bl**dy self-important that they think they have the right to pester paying!!! users with pointless pop ups.
As a Brit you should get DavidR involved.

By the way looks like you only need one more post so please go to PROFILE then Modify Profile then Forum Profile Information then select your country in Please select your country: then update your Signature: with information like my signature as this helps the helpers offer pertinent advice.
 
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: dansorin on November 21, 2011, 03:02:11 PM
...As a Brit you should get DavidR involved....
what importance does it have if he's brit or african or chinese??? it's the same software.
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on February 18, 2012, 01:00:08 PM
coz Brits are nawty/special???  ::)

Whatever, the last (absolutely last!!!) of my avast licenses/installations has started started spitting fire. Since it isn't me sitting at that computer it can pop-up away for a little longer until it gets unceremoniously un-installed.

BTW, what happened to avast virus detection? More often than not I see essexboy busy helping user to get rid of infections. With avast installed shouldn't those viruses be DOA?
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: essexboy on February 18, 2012, 01:25:18 PM
In the perfect world - yes...  But malware changes on an hourly basis and I have problems finding some of the triggers.  Malware writers have the edge.  They run their programmes through the AV and when they find a match that does not get detected they release it.  All AV's suffer from this..  Some that I help here have Norton, AVG Avira, McAfee etc etc..  Not all malware threads on this forum are by Avast users..  Which in a way demonstrates the backup support you get here as opposed to other AV forums  ;D
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: spg SCOTT on February 18, 2012, 01:26:19 PM
Biozz750,

1. Ignore YoKenny...

2. The popups.

I personally haven't experienced them myself (free version, and just renew when it says - because it is free, but not relevant here.) but I understand what you mean about the popups.

(Assuming that the showing of the popups is correct)
I think I have seen another thread or two, and remember similar comments...I think that avast has it set this way to prevent the possibility of the license running out and you being protected. They are trying to insure that at some point it is seen by you.

I also think there is a issue in the way that the licenses work, in that it is valid from the day of purchase, so you could potentially loose time (though IIRC that may not be the case if you do it though the GUI popups)


I agree that it should not be shown so often and especially not in full screen circumstances (like films etc.)

Perhaps if it was coded so that once closed (i.e. so that it knows that you have seen it) reduce the amount of times etc. I don't know...

3. The comment on detection.

I can't really comment myself on detection, and wouldn't even try to. However, one small point. It may seem that essexboy is fixing loads of machines with avast, but here pretty much everyone uses avast so it may not me a fair representation. (essexboy would know best about current detection etc...I am probably one of the worst to comment on it for various reasons ;))


4. Your comment on avast connecting to other IPs...I have two thoughts on that (depending on your observations)
All traffic is routed through AvastSVC.exe so it would appear that avast is connecting where it may be a browser etc.
Some of the avast servers are in various places around the world (for speed, redundancy, etc. i guess) and that could be what you were seeing (IIRC this would be AvastUI.exe

Scott
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: bioxx750 on February 18, 2012, 04:19:50 PM
In the perfect world - yes...  But malware changes on an hourly basis and I have problems finding some of the triggers.    All AV's suffer from this..  Some that I help here have Norton, AVG Avira, McAfee etc etc..  Not all malware threads on this forum are by Avast users..  Which in a way demonstrates the backup support you get here as opposed to other AV forums  ;D

Ok, thanks for the clarification. I didn't pay attention to what AV those posters were running. Just thought avast forum=avast trouble

Biozz750,

1. Ignore YoKenny...

2. The popups.

The pops can't be controlled  ;D I've been around computers for a while. Most AVs/FWs show some sort of notification when the license is up but avast is really trying hard to annoy the user. Please avast don't treat us like idiots (learned that from MS, didn't you :o), once a day is enough. Everything above this is spam and looks like "we want your money, NOW!!!"  :P
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: !Donovan on February 18, 2012, 04:25:12 PM
Everything above this is spam and looks like "we want your money, NOW!!!"  :P
So that you can update NOW! so that you don't see the annoying popups anymore. ;D
Title: Re: Dear Avast
Post by: ady4um on February 18, 2012, 05:41:50 PM
@bioxx750,

Setting aside any possible "workarounds" (like renewing a license, whether for Free, Pro or AIS edition), I can understand your feeling.

Although I can think of many technical reasons to renew the license with avast (and IMHO, the technical reasons are very good, important and valid ones), I also understand that a license for, say, 12 months, is not that same as "11 months and then I also nag you".

The reminder is a useful feature, but the user should still be able to decide "in silence". As I said, I would still renew the license, and the reminder wouldn't be more important than technical reasons (like avast protection for example) but that's another story.