Spyware

[been]

If it's not replicable you hardly will get one.

That I can't replicate it for reasons given doesn't mean that it didn't happen or doesn't exist, I'm not delusional and haven't taken acid since my youth.  Avast will be aware of this pop-up (they put it there) so will be in a position to comment.

[Asyn]

That I can't replicate it for reasons given doesn't mean that it didn't happen or doesn't exist, I'm not delusional and haven't taken acid since my youth.  Avast will be aware of this (they put it there) so will be in a position to comment.

Well, good luck...

[Gopher John]

Avast Online Security may be a factor.  If been has it enabled and the rest of you don't, that may be an avenue that the popup was triggered.

[been]

I have AOS disabled in my browsers!

[DavidR]

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

Well there are many such geo-location restrictions on content and not just on youtube - avast! is using this as a sales opportunity (see attached image1) as it would be aware of the geo-location blocking (not initiating it).

Unfortunately the avast! popup isn't very clear/helpful as the wording to me is misleading - the user may think that by clicking the 'Bypass restrictions now' button (image2), is a means of viewing the content then and not purchasing the avast! SecureLine VPN.

I don't believe AOS is a factor at all, as it is disabled on my firefox 29.0.1.

[Asyn]

Thanks for the screenshots Dave.
Seems to be related to localization, as I don't get them here with the German version.

[iroc9555]

Definitely related with location, but avast! monitoring what you can watch and don't due to geolocation restrictions and offering its product to bypass those restrictions does not make it a spyware. I would say avast! is taking care of what interests you and it is giving you a choice to try one of its products to bypass that restiction.

[been]

I guess it comes down to how you define spyware but Avast using its essential ability to monitor all my net traffic for the purpose of identifying sales opportunities is something with which I'm deeply uncomfortable.

[iroc9555]

Well.. Of course. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Avast! must monitor what you surf otherwise it would not protect you. Now, taking advantage of its function to offer you a product is just marketing strategy and it only take a script line in the program. I would say I like avast! telling me what is going on and what I can use to fix the problen instead of Googling it and going some place where can give a bad advice or a program that I can run that can really be spyware.

[DavidR]

I guess it comes down to how you define spyware but Avast using its essential ability to monitor all my net traffic for the purpose of identifying sales opportunities is something with which I'm deeply uncomfortable.

Should you have such a (SecureLine) VPN service, it isn't just getting round geo-location blocks, but also improves privacy.

Get used to things monitoring your on-line activity, browsers do it, web sites do it (cookies, etc.) as do search engines.

[been]

Avast does have to monitor my net traffic for my protection (that's why I called it essential), it doesn't have to monitor it for the purpose of creating sales opportunities for its marketing department. Avast is a European company and I'm a European user; I don't believe I've given informed consent for this use of the interception of my data and Avast appears to offer no facility to opt out. Has Avast really considered the full implications of this? I believe it's crossed a line.

[bob3160]

Avast does have to monitor my net traffic for my protection (that's why I called it essential), it doesn't have to monitor it for the purpose of creating sales opportunities for its marketing department. Avast is a European company and I'm a European user; I don't believe I've given informed consent for this use of the interception of my data and Avast appears to offer no facility to opt out. Has Avast really considered the full implications of this? I believe it's crossed a line.

You're making accusations but haven't truly offered any proof. (screenshot)
I've never seen the type of popup your talking about from Avast.
I've seen it from YouTube and other such services.

[been]

You're making accusations but haven't truly offered any proof. (screenshot)

I didn't have the presence of mind to take an image when it occurred but two other posters have provided screenshots. Avast is inspecting users' internet traffic for sales opportunities.

[bob3160]

You're making accusations but haven't truly offered any proof. (screenshot)

I didn't have the presence of mind to take an image when it occurred but two other posters have provided screenshots. Avast is inspecting users' internet traffic for sales opportunities.

Where Links

[been]

Iroc9555 and DavidR have both posted screenshots on page 2 of this thread.