SafeZone browser is now available for all Avast users

[REDACTED]

Ok, here's my report with AVAST (Free)  & the browser.  First i must say that my main security software is McAfee Total.  I have been previously admonished here for using two different antivirus sw as they will not mingle well together for my space, but to my surprise, i can only report positive events.  It is proly more likely that the full Avast version would not work with any other antivirus full version.

For the last several months i have been plagued with malicious-ware.  MalwareBites and Adwcleaner scans have been keeping my afloat.  The source of these intrusions seems mostly from IE for Windows 7 HP.  When in trouble i use Mozilla/Firefox and am now determined to never use W7 IE again with it's browser. 

About 2-3 wks ago I got down pretty bad and Avast found a malicious browser add on and deleted it so i was able to at least get back online as the malware screws my internet connection.  So cheers to Avast for being the only software to remove that particular mal.  Forward to a couple days ago and back down again with computer crashing, no Internet and unable to remove about 10 malw from regestry w/ the cleaner as they come right back after restart.   Yesterday I tried everything to get back on-line to download more freeware for cleanup like Rkill, JRT, and Combofix.  Eventually i tried the Avast Browser (and yes i am somewhat annoyed by the automatic download/install  but at least it's not harmful software) and after about 1 minute i was online and got the ComboFix which loosed a virus that McAfee caught.  Now it seems that M software got damaged as computer is crashing again (especially during scans) so I uninstalled and will reinstall a new version. 

Only a few hrs ago comp crashed again using Avast SZ browser but i since downloaded a new version of Avast Free and am typing this now with the A SZ browser.  Am now hoping I will not need to do a clean install of W7 (again).   

[bob3160]

Ok, here's my report with AVAST (Free)  & the browser.  First i must say that my main security software is McAfee Total.  I have been previously admonished here for using two different antivirus sw as they will not mingle well together for my space, but to my surprise, i can only report positive events.  It is proly more likely that the full Avast version would not work with any other antivirus full version.

For the last several months i have been plagued with malicious-ware.  MalwareBites and Adwcleaner scans have been keeping my afloat.  The source of these intrusions seems mostly from IE for Windows 7 HP.  When in trouble i use Mozilla/Firefox and am now determined to never use W7 IE again with it's browser. 

About 2-3 wks ago I got down pretty bad and Avast found a malicious browser add on and deleted it so i was able to at least get back online as the malware screws my internet connection.  So cheers to Avast for being the only software to remove that particular mal.  Forward to a couple days ago and back down again with computer crashing, no Internet and unable to remove about 10 malw from regestry w/ the cleaner as they come right back after restart.   Yesterday I tried everything to get back on-line to download more freeware for cleanup like Rkill, JRT, and Combofix.  Eventually i tried the Avast Browser (and yes i am somewhat annoyed by the automatic download/install  but at least it's not harmful software) and after about 1 minute i was online and got the ComboFix which loosed a virus that McAfee caught.  Now it seems that M software got damaged as computer is crashing again (especially during scans) so I uninstalled and will reinstall a new version. 

Only a few hrs ago comp crashed again using Avast SZ browser but i since downloaded a new version of Avast Free and am typing this now with the A SZ browser.  Am now hoping I will not need to do a clean install of W7 (again).   

Sorry but non of your complaints regarding crashing can actually be addressed since they could all stem from the fact that you have McAfee installed on your system.
You decide what you want to use but you can't use both and expect a well behaved computer.

[mchain]

+1  In complete agreement with Bob here.

See:  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/186533/is-it-bad-to-run-multiple-antivirus-programs/#entry1046027

   &    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/186533/is-it-bad-to-run-multiple-antivirus-programs/#entry1046121

Seriously, this is your system and you can choose to run it the way you want, but know the risks in running it in a non-standard way when you do so.  In some situations or scenarios you are getting less protection running two active resident a/v's, and not more protection, which is the common thought behind running more than one a/v at a time.

[midnight]

Does the SafeZone browser use Java?

[Asyn]

Does the SafeZone browser use Java?

Nope.

[Quibbler]

Don't often post as Avast just works. Has kept me safe since Noah was an apprentice.  Don't understand complaints here about new SafeZone browser arriving uninvited.

I choose what new options to run and it's nice somebody has my back if I decide to use an extra free service. I use Virtual Kiosk from another provider  and run latest Chrome inside that with its vsk etc. Anyone tell me what extra or better security I'd get if used SafeZone browser instead? Or is that unfair question?

Like what I know and choose to use what I like so see no cause to look a free gift horse in the mouth. Thanks Avast for extra service. Will stick with what I know and trust for now.

[bob3160]

Don't often post as Avast just works. Has kept me safe since Noah was an apprentice.  Don't understand complaints here about new SafeZone browser arriving uninvited.

I choose what new options to run and it's nice somebody has my back if I decide to use an extra free service. I use Virtual Kiosk from another provider  and run latest Chrome inside that with its vsk etc. Anyone tell me what extra or better security I'd get if used SafeZone browser instead? Or is that unfair question?

Like what I know and choose to use what I like so see no cause to look a free gift horse in the mouth. Thanks Avast for extra service. Will stick with what I know and trust for now.

Don't know if you've looked at this:
https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB209

[DavidR]

Don't often post as Avast just works. Has kept me safe since Noah was an apprentice.  Don't understand complaints here about new SafeZone browser arriving uninvited.

I choose what new options to run and it's nice somebody has my back if I decide to use an extra free service. I use Virtual Kiosk from another provider  and run latest Chrome inside that with its vsk etc. Anyone tell me what extra or better security I'd get if used SafeZone browser instead? Or is that unfair question?

Like what I know and choose to use what I like so see no cause to look a free gift horse in the mouth. Thanks Avast for extra service. Will stick with what I know and trust for now.

You might also want to read this:
- See short explanation of its purpose, https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=185290.msg1307766#msg1307766.

[REDACTED]

Several issues:

1.  I agree with one of the posters who said that installing software on a person's computer without consent is NOT acceptable.

2.  Firefox allows a setting which AUTOMATICALLY erases ALL browser history (not just cookies) upon exit.    Safezone requires a manual action to accomplish the same task. 

3.  The bookmarks which were imported from Firefox do not show up on the toolbar (which they have whenever I have imported from Firefox to any other browser (IE, Opera, Chrome).   There may be a way that I have failed to find which can accomplish this, but at this point, it is not done.   Interestingly, Chrome did it automatically.

While #1 is profoundly disturbing, it is not a deal killer for me, although I fully respect that it could be for others.   However, #'s 2&3 are deal killers.   If Avast wishes to make a modern browser, it need to do what the other current browsers do with regard to ease of use.

At this point, it is staying on the computer as it does have a very convenient way to download videos from YouTube, but until the above issues are fixed, that is its only value to me.

[REDACTED]

I've made some of my feelings known elsewhere in this thread, but I'd like to add that the SZ browser install has just ambushed me for the third time. This is getting a little ridiculous.

Am I to expect this to happen with every program update? I actually put off updating Avast altogether for awhile after I was ambushed the second time.

This whole thing makes me think of spam. Spammers post it, then moderators (or whomever) go in and remove it. Avast installs the SZ browser without saying anything, and I go in and uninstall it. Avast installs it again, and I uninstall it again. Back-and-forth, like some weird dance.

I'm trying to stick with Avast, but Avast isn't making it very easy.

[bob3160]

I've made some of my feelings known elsewhere in this thread, but I'd like to add that the SZ browser install has just ambushed me for the third time. This is getting a little ridiculous.

Am I to expect this to happen with every program update? I actually put off updating Avast altogether for awhile after I was ambushed the second time.

This whole thing makes me think of spam. Spammers post it, then moderators (or whomever) go in and remove it. Avast installs the SZ browser without saying anything, and I go in and uninstall it. Avast installs it again, and I uninstall it again. Back-and-forth, like some weird dance.

I'm trying to stick with Avast, but Avast isn't making it very easy.

How did you remove SafeBrowser  
It wasn't installed for me on the last update. I was asked if I wanted it.

[DavidR]

I've made some of my feelings known elsewhere in this thread, but I'd like to add that the SZ browser install has just ambushed me for the third time. This is getting a little ridiculous.

Am I to expect this to happen with every program update? I actually put off updating Avast altogether for awhile after I was ambushed the second time.

This whole thing makes me think of spam. Spammers post it, then moderators (or whomever) go in and remove it. Avast installs the SZ browser without saying anything, and I go in and uninstall it. Avast installs it again, and I uninstall it again. Back-and-forth, like some weird dance.

I'm trying to stick with Avast, but Avast isn't making it very easy.

How did you remove SafeBrowser  
It wasn't installed for me on the last update. I was asked if I wanted it.

It wasn't installed for me either, having previously uninstalled it.


After installation/update you should get a screen on restart about chrome, unchecking the chrome options worked fine for me. This also mentions the SZ Browser and auto program updates, which you can change. I have mine set to 'Ask when an update is available' and was honoured for me.

[mchain]

Perhaps the issue is the general installation mode:  See attached below.  It is my understanding that avast is set to respect user choices from update to update, but not when a clean install is made.

Default installation by avast is to install everything, usually during a clean install, but avast does allow selective installation of features and protections using the Custom Install method esp. when using the clean install method. 

ATM I do not have a screenshot of this window; perhaps someone else has such a screenshot to provide?  'Modify' will allow the user to deselect options and features they do not want. 

Use Add/Remove or Programs and Features to change your preferences after the fact of installation to avast default settings.

[bob3160]

If you choose a Custom Install, you have the option to bypass any of these features.
If you use the default install on a Clean install, all of this will be installed. The choice is always yours, Default or Custom.
My recommendation is to use a Custom install whenever you install anything on your system.

[DavidR]

Whilst this image is for an earlier build when I ran the off-line installation file (over the top of existing installation) it is in effect the same as a clean install in that you are running the off-line installation file.

Here you can use the 'Customise' option rather than the default 'Install' button. Were Bob's image is of the screen after having clicked the Customise option.