Author Topic: Spyware  (Read 14784 times)

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been

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Spyware
« on: May 17, 2014, 07:06:18 PM »
Before I start I'd like to say that as  a free Avast user I accept that Avast will from time to time invite me to upgrade or purchase one of their other products. Those ads are occasional and not particularly intrusive.  A few moments ago I clicked a link to a YouTube video that is geo-blocked in my country and received a 'toaster' pop up from Avast trying to sell me Secureline. If Avast is going to mis-use its ability to screen my web traffic to look for opportunities to sell me things then I believe that this is the point that it crosses a line and risks becoming spyware.

Offline CraigB

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2014, 07:11:48 PM »
The Secureline popup would have coincidental and un-related to your YouTube video.

Offline schmidthouse

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2014, 07:14:57 PM »
You will read many posts on the forum stating opinions about the added pop ups (market strategy) to increase the sales of Avasts added services.
It seems the direction chosen has ruffled more then just a few users. May be the price of using Avast.
Some will pay it, some will not

been

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2014, 07:16:29 PM »
No, it was explicitly related to that Youtube video. If you're outside the US then please try it for yourself. This is the page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk

Offline CraigB

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2014, 07:52:04 PM »
Well I get the video is not available in my country notice but I don't receive any notice from avast.

Offline Asyn

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2014, 07:53:44 PM »
Well I get the video is not available in my country notice but I don't receive any notice from avast.
Same here.
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

been

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2014, 07:59:39 PM »
Well I definitely did! It came with a tick box option to turn the notification off for the site so there's no doubt what it was or what triggered it. The toaster message didn't specifically mention Secureline but it did reference the fact that content had been blocked and offered the facility to view content anywhere in the world if I clicked for more info. It looks as though there may have been an emergency update on Thursday affecting the webshield so perhaps only users who've restarted since then are getting this message.

Offline CraigB

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2014, 08:03:20 PM »
Don't know, I restart a couple of times everyday and no messages here.

been

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2014, 08:04:20 PM »
Trust me ... I got that message! I can't replicate it to take an image because I clicked to no longer receive for that site and I'm not getting it from a couple of other US geo-blocked video sites I've tried (so maybe only implemented for Youtube at mo?). I can't believe I'm the only one to be receiving this sort of message but maybe it's a gradual roll-out ... I'm sure someone else will see the toaster and report it here sooner or later.
« Last Edit: May 17, 2014, 08:08:52 PM by been »

Offline CraigB

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2014, 08:06:44 PM »
I'm not doubting you, it's just not happening here.

Offline Asyn

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2014, 08:07:52 PM »
1. Well I definitely did! It came with a tick box option to turn the notification off for the site so there's no doubt what it was or what triggered it.
2. It looks as though there may have been an emergency update on Thursday affecting the webshield so perhaps only users who've restarted since then are getting this message.
1. Please provide a screenshot.
2. I've all emergency updates installed (and restarted since then), but get no message at all.
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

been

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #11 on: May 17, 2014, 08:10:00 PM »
Asyn: Please see my edited post above, not sure how to replicate it as I selected to turn it off for Youtube.

Offline Asyn

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #12 on: May 17, 2014, 08:15:32 PM »
Asyn: Please see my edited post above, not sure how to replicate it as I selected to turn it off for Youtube.
Well, we've to wait for someone else to post it then. ;)
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

been

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #13 on: May 17, 2014, 08:16:59 PM »
Quote
Well, we've to wait for someone else to post it then. ;)
Or a comment from Avast staff.

Offline Asyn

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #14 on: May 17, 2014, 08:18:37 PM »
Or a comment from Avast staff.
If it's not replicable you hardly will get one.
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0