Author Topic: Avast becoming bloatware  (Read 17443 times)

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NoelC

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Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #15 on: December 30, 2013, 01:04:58 AM »
Good point, polonus.  It seems like a good reason to have options to choose what to install and what not to install to me, although lately such options are being made less and less available (I don't mean by Avast, but in general), on the pretense that people who aren't "in the know" will just get themselves in trouble.

I concede that there are as many different ways to use a computer as there are people.  And as many different needs.  Most people may want a "make me safe" anti-malware solution without having to give up any functionality or freedom at all, but that's akin to wanting to be Superman.  Reality unfortunately isn't like that.

That said, those of us "in the know", using computers to create programs or content, and whose habits don't take them to "the bad side of town" much, and who know how to keep the doors closed to malware don't really need the same things as someone casually surfing for entertainment and wanting to see all the glitz the world has to offer.

-Noel
« Last Edit: December 30, 2013, 01:08:29 AM by NoelC »

thekochs

  • Guest
Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #16 on: December 30, 2013, 03:29:50 AM »
No one can really answer that but you, but I can tell you I eliminated everything in the second column except the Software Updater, which watches to see whether various programs you have installed, such as 7-Zip, Flash Player, Java, etc., fall out of date.  I find having application management all managed in one place handier than having eleventy seven different updaters running.

But before you follow in my footsteps, you should know that I have a number of other mechanisms in place, and a lifetime of computer experience, to help keep my systems safe.

-Noel

I've been in the IT biz 30+ years.......I do agree with your quick assessment......but is software updater still in the Avast Free ?
I'm still on V8.....have many PCs to "update" but scared silly about 2014.  I'm waiting for 2014 to get more solid.....there are still bugs I see as critical and still in my mind make it BETA software.  Here is a show-stopper one for me there are been no response to: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=140354.0
Once I do the "upgrade" I am going to store/backup my V8 config on each machine, uninstall and do clean 2014 install, then re-load config.  I know many folks have been OK with the GUI "updater" but seems like 90% of all solutions to most posts are to do uninstall/clean-install. :)

Also, is the "Browser Protection" option the Online Security item/add-in that is first thing everyone is told to disable ?
I've had it off on V8 since the beginning.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2013, 03:33:49 AM by thekochs »

NoelC

  • Guest
Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #17 on: December 30, 2013, 08:10:23 AM »
Quote
is software updater still in the Avast Free ?

Sure is.

I use Outlook from Office 365, by the way, and it sends mail just fine.

-Noel

thekochs

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Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #18 on: December 30, 2013, 03:33:30 PM »

I use Outlook from Office 365, by the way, and it sends mail just fine.

-Noel

Wow, great to know !!!!
Are you on a Exchange Server ?

NoelC

  • Guest
Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #19 on: December 30, 2013, 03:50:54 PM »
No, I use POP/SMTP with 5 different accounts.  Seems very reliable, and though I disabled the addition of the "message is clean" text to eMails, I tested with it on to ensure it is actually examining every incoming and outgoing message.

-Noel

Offline Gopher John

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Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #20 on: December 30, 2013, 04:03:18 PM »
In the 'raw view' of any mail message scanned by Avast Mail Shield should be X-headers.  Below are headers from a message that I'd sent and then received back a couple of weeks ago.

X-Antivirus: avast! (VPS 131213-0, 12/13/2013), Outbound message
X-Antivirus-Status: Clean

X-Antivirus: avast! (VPS 131213-0, 12/13/2013), Inbound message
X-Antivirus-Status: Clean
AMD A6-5350M APU with Radeon HD Graphics, 8.0GB RAM, Win7 Pro SP1 64bit, IE11
i7-3610QM 2.3GHZ, 8.0GB Ram,  Nvidia GeForce GT 630M 2GB, Win7 Pro SP1 64bit, IE 11
Common to both: Avast Premium Security 19.7.2388, WinPatrol Plus, SpywareBlaster 5.5, Opera 12.18, Firefox 68.0.2, MBam Free, CCleaner

thekochs

  • Guest
Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #21 on: December 30, 2013, 04:31:05 PM »
No, I use POP/SMTP with 5 different accounts.  Seems very reliable, and though I disabled the addition of the "message is clean" text to eMails, I tested with it on to ensure it is actually examining every incoming and outgoing message.

-Noel

Thx, the issue is thru Exchange Server w/SSL. http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=140354.0

Also, in the items/options to not check during Custom Install.....is the "Browser Protection" option the Online Security item/add-in that is first thing everyone is told to disable ?

NoelC

  • Guest
Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #22 on: December 30, 2013, 05:14:18 PM »
I don't know what's advised in general about what to use or not.  I personally only use the 3 shields and the software updater.

You really need to test it in your own environment to know for sure how it's going to work for you.  The installer is easy enough to run (pay attention to all the checkboxes). 

Free version : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
Pro version : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
Internet Security version : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
Premier version : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup.exe

Plus Avast provides a tool that will completely remove it if you choose not to keep it:

AvastClear : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe

-Noel

Offline Para-Noid

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Re: Avast becoming bloatware
« Reply #23 on: December 30, 2013, 06:02:29 PM »
It seems the "avast online security" plug-in affects some while not affecting others.
As far as what should or should not be selected by any particular user is up to them
and their needs.  :)
Dell Inspiron, Win10x64--HP Envy Win10x64--Both systems Avast Free v17.9.2322, Comodo Firewall v8.2 w/D+, MalwareBytes v3.0, OpenDNS, Super Anti-Spyware, Spyware Blaster, MCShield, Unchecky, Vivaldi Browser and, various browser security tools.

"Look before you leap!" Use online scanners before you click on any link.