So now you bug me with pop ups about politics? Disgraceful

[REDACTED]

I just received a pop-up from Avast antivirus linking to a page with an article from Gary Kasparov talking about faking news? It's outrageous that you are now using your software to send me political views. You are an antivirus company, not a news outlet. Do not do this again, I find it Orwellian and inappropriate. I couldn't care less about Kasparov's views or his status as a 'Avast Security Ambassador', whatever that's supposed to mean, he's not a programmer of antivirus software is he?

I want security from you, not political views thinly veiled as 'security news'.

Using your software to do so is an abuse of the trust of your users. You have no right to do this without my permission. It's no different than spam, i.e. sending messages I didn't ask for.

Stick to antivirus, if I want political messages I'll go to a news site.

[dnimon]

Yeah, got it as well. Pretty bloody stupid, eh?

[Eddy]

Please post in the correct forum next time.

[abruptum]

Are you talking about this ?

  https://blog.avast.com/trump-putin-and-the-dangers-of-fake-news

It is just usual anti-Russian diarrhea.

[REDACTED]

Please post in the correct forum next time.

You mean like Avast posted in the 'correct forum' for political views it's promoting, hijacking my antivirus software to do so? My antivirus software did something I did not give it permission to do. This forum is called 'Avast Free/Pro/IS/Premier, Avast Free/Pro/IS/Premier topics and issues, not viruses or false alarms here!" I have an issue.

[DavidR]

I haven't received this on any of my three systems, perhaps because I'm not in the USA I don't know.

I did have a quick look at the blog article and promptly fell asleep, too damn long, if there any computer security points in there they are too damn hard to find. But that is all there should be in the article.

What a so called avast security ambassador is talking about this is beyond me. I believe it has no place in the avast blog and even less being sent to avast users.

[DavidR]

Please post in the correct forum next time.

I just received a pop-up from Avast antivirus linking to a page with an article from Gary Kasparov talking about faking news?

I would say it is in the right forum if avast sent it to avast users via their avast installations.

[bob3160]

I received it since I subscribe to notifications of new Avast blog posts.
As to the contents of the post, that's a different thing and will either be favorably
or unfavorably be received depending on you personal views.  [size=78%] [/size]

[REDACTED]

I received it since I subscribe to notifications of new Avast blog posts.
As to the contents of the post, that's a different thing and will either be favorably
or unfavorably be received depending on you personal views.  [size=78%] [/size]

With respect, it's utterly irrelevant if I "favorably or unfavorably" receive this. That's not the issue. The issue is promoting any political view in a notification system for an antivirus product. Whether you support Trump or Hillary, (I support neither for the record, sadly in these polarized times I have to say that), no matter what your politics, it is totally inappropriate, highly questionable in fact, to abuse this to promote what is clearly a highly polarised view. Kasparov might be right, or he might be wrong, but again - not the point here.

Avast, do not do this again.

[DavidR]

I received it since I subscribe to notifications of new Avast blog posts.
As to the contents of the post, that's a different thing and will either be favorably
or unfavorably be received depending on you personal views. 

I just can't get my head round why it is even in the avast blog and even more so in the avast popups. I just can't see what it has to do with security.

The main problem for me is that the article being massive who is going to spend so much time trying to extract any possibly security related information worthy of being in the blog much less the avast UI/popups.

As they stay clear of politics and religion as you will have an uphill battle stating your cause/reasoning.

[bob3160]

I received it since I subscribe to notifications of new Avast blog posts.
As to the contents of the post, that's a different thing and will either be favorably
or unfavorably be received depending on you personal views. 

I just can't get my head round why it is even in the avast blog and even more so in the avast popups. I just can't see what it has to do with security.

The main problem for me is that the article being massive who is going to spend so much time trying to extract any possibly security related information worthy of being in the blog much less the avast UI/popups.

As they stay clear of politics and religion as you will have an uphill battle stating your cause/reasoning.

I had voiced that same concern directly to Avast when I first read the blog post. 

[Rednose]

I agree with David and Bob,

However, from a Historical perspective, I can imagine that a Chech based company has sympathy for the former World Champion Chess and Political Activist Garry Kasparov.

Greetz, Red

[DavidR]

His relationship with avast is as an Avast Security Ambassador (where he discusses cybersecurity and the digital future) and this appears to be neither of these.

[RejZoR]

This really feels totally out of place, especially if users get a popup about it. It's not security related in any way.

[polonus]

Hi RejZoR,

Agree with you, bob3160 & DavidR,

Just for the blog to remain far from taking any position in such a debate,
let them just be careful with hyperlinks like that: -https://www.the-parallax.com/aboutus/
taking a particular position.

Avast Team is capable enough to make it's own independant blog content and it has always been a good thing for everyone to steer away from discussing two subjects politics and/or religion or religion and/or politics in public for that matter.

The good proverb says: "Cobbler, stick to thy last" or in latin: "Sutor, ne ultra crepidam".
And avast's 'last' here stands for security as it is an anti-virus vendor, and a global player as such.

polonus