SafeZone browser installed itself

[Michael529]

<snip>
I'm actually disappointed that I wasn't one of those who received this added protection. 

If there was a way, you could have my copy as well as that from DavidR!
There are several issues here:
Is what Avast has done lawful? That (probably) depends on the legislation in force where the user is located. However I very much doubt that anyone would prosecute them anywhere.
Is what Avast has done compatible with the EULA? I have seen Eddy's view (and others) that it is compatible with the EULA. However I'm with those who disagree.
Regardless of the answers to the 2 questions above, was it sensible or good practice for Avast to have put it on people's machines without seeking explicit approval? No
Is the browser any use (to me)? Not for banking as mine wants Trusteer Rapport and I haven't found a way of getting that into the browser (indeed I don't think the two are compatible). Nor does it appeal for general browsing without a number of add-ons, which again I can't put in.

[REDACTED]

Indeed it would be a better way to promote the browser.

It appeared on my wife's laptop today, and I managed to remove it via the Control panel as advised above.

After Googling I found that there were some serious security issues in earlier versions as it was based on the free Chromium platform, possibly been fixed by now hopefully, and hence my mistrust with it.

I dare say all those years ago I missed all the small print in the Eula and Avast had a right to add it without my permission, but I guess I trusted a site like Avast that had been around for so many years. I guess that trust has been damaged now as it must have been with many other users.

Next time you have extras to give us free please tell us first and let us have a choice, thanks.

[REDACTED]

Dear Evangelists and Avast-Developers

I am extremely upset about the unsolicited installation of a component such as SafeZone browser. The least that can be expected as a user, is setting a dialog-window or popup for demand.
Have you already lost so much in touch with the reality that it was not clear in advance that security-conscious users will want to decide what is installed on your PC?
The desire, the user "to take by the hand" and to install him things because you "only want the best for him" is not a good idea.

[REDACTED]

I am VERY angry! I do not appreciate finding that Avast Safezone loaded on my PC without warning and without paying me the courtesy of asking whether I want it! It shows a complete disregard for, and lack of respect toward, its customers!  If Avast thinks it's OK to treat its customers this way, I am going to uninstall ALL Avast products and never use Avast again. 

[bob3160]

I am VERY angry! I do not appreciate finding that Avast Safezone loaded on my PC without warning and without paying me the courtesy of asking whether I want it! It shows a complete disregard for, and lack of respect toward, its customers!  If Avast thinks it's OK to treat its customers this way, I am going to uninstall ALL Avast products and never use Avast again.

Amazing. Get something for nothing and all upset. If you don't want it, don't use it , uninstall it.
Nothing like making a mountain out of a mo;e hill.

[windessy]

It's designed to keep you safe while doing your banking and shopping.

So do all browsers. Everyone says they are designed to this.
But no one installs itself without warning and permission of user, even MS - new Windows asks what browser you want to install.

[bob3160]

It's designed to keep you safe while doing your banking and shopping.

So do all browsers. Everyone says they are designed to this.
But no one installs itself without warning and permission of user, even MS - new Windows asks what browser you want to install.

NO they aren't all designed to protect you while doing your banking and shopping.
Learn what the SafeZone browser is before making that statement.
https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB209

[REDACTED]

I am *extremely upset* about this....  what on earth were you people thinking!!!

Lets ignore the "gift aspect", thats not the problem...  the problem is that you installed software on peoples computers without first gaining their permission.

There is absolutely no justification for installing software on peoples computers without their permission... at best its just plain rude. Really though, it is quite simply unethical.

What just happened is nothing more than you abusing the privileges you have been granted in order for you to scan for viruses on our computers.

You should also consider what you just did from another light:

Ignoring the fact that the payload (I am assuming.. who knows...) is benign... you seem to be taking a page from the virus writers handbook, after all, installing software on other peoples computers to forward their own causes is exactly what they do.

Don't underestimate the mistake you have made here.... I would not be surprised if this was illegal in some country's... and I am seriously considering changing to another anti virus suite.

[Eddy]

You have given permission to avast to do so by installing their tool.

[bobby1981]

I personally don't understand what the complaint are all about. Avast was installed to keeping
you and your system safe. Avast added a feature that makes your banking and shopping more secure.
I'm actually disappointed that I wasn't one of those who received this added protection. 

You don't understand the complaint that there was zero notification in the program about this, and it just decided to install silently for people?  Erm... okay.  Whether it's in the terms we agreed to or not, I'd like to be notified about it without having to go onto Google and find out why I have a random program installed.

I know why Eddy is stating what he is, which is the truth, but it's hardly good PR to stick to that line.

[Skakara]

For Eddy and all other Avast apologists, EULA's for users in some countries can NOT trump law. Please remember that. You can't stipulate whatever you want in your EULA's and act like you are right and untouchable.

What about this topic: SafeZone installed itself, Avast tries to KILL PC when uninstalling. WTF!? An excerpt from it: "at the end it tries to DELETE the ENTIRE Avast installation and then the ENTIRE C:\Program Files\ folder". I'm afraid to uninstall the module now. Thanks Avast!


Some time ago I read this from Ghacks site:

The latest company that Google contacted about security issues found in their products is Avast. The company's SafeZone browser, based on Chromium, allowed attackers to read any file on the system by getting users to click on links.

This worked even if users never used SafeZone, as data is automatically imported from a Chrome installation when the program is installed on the user system.

Since then it was patched. But it shows how stupid it is to push additional stuff to users automatically.

[Vlk]

Some time ago I read this from Ghacks site:

The latest company that Google contacted about security issues found in their products is Avast. The company's SafeZone browser, based on Chromium, allowed attackers to read any file on the system by getting users to click on links.

This worked even if users never used SafeZone, as data is automatically imported from a Chrome installation when the program is installed on the user system.

Since then it was patched. But it shows how stupid it is to push additional stuff to users automatically.

Right. Now, can you please let me know how many vulnerabilities have been found in Chrome? Firefox? IE? Adobe PDF? Oracle Java? Windows itself? Etc etc... I mean, yes it's pretty unfortunate we had this problem in the product but seriously, the problem was patched within days and using this as an argument to stay away from it is not exactly fair...

[Skakara]

I'll let Tavis Ormandy speak: "Selling antivirus doesn't qualify you to fork chromium, you're going to screw it up."

[Vlk]

I'll let Tavis Ormandy speak: "Selling antivirus doesn't qualify you to fork chromium, you're going to screw it up."

I have seen this statement in the past, yes.
And I disagree with it.

[davexnet]

Some time ago I read this from Ghacks site:

The latest company that Google contacted about security issues found in their products is Avast. The company's SafeZone browser, based on Chromium, allowed attackers to read any file on the system by getting users to click on links.

This worked even if users never used SafeZone, as data is automatically imported from a Chrome installation when the program is installed on the user system.

Since then it was patched. But it shows how stupid it is to push additional stuff to users automatically.

Right. Now, can you please let me know how many vulnerabilities have been found in Chrome? Firefox? IE? Adobe PDF? Oracle Java? Windows itself? Etc etc... I mean, yes it's pretty unfortunate we had this problem in the product but seriously, the problem was patched within days and using this as an argument to stay away from it is not exactly fair...

What minimum OS does this browser need?  Will it install/work in XP ?

What level of hardware?  Does it need hardware virtualization

What other components of avast does it need (if any) ?