Sensitive Data Shield

[bob3160]

I just did a Smart Scan and when it finished it told me that along with no viruses I had no sensitive files unprotected. Or something like that.

I'm using Avast Free. SDS is not unlocked. Yet it scans for them when running a Smart Scan. Why? What happens if it finds unprotected files? Goad me to a paid version to fix it?

I've now turned it off in settings. I'm glad it can be disabled but I don't like that it is on by default and added to Smart Scan without me knowing about it. Because I don't know what it actually does. I don't want Avast write protecting files without my consent or worse: making backup copies somewhere.

So were did you see Avast write protecting your files

[Rundvleeskroket]

I didn't say it did.

It scans for such files, and can either show protected or not. If it shows they are protected it must be guarding the files in some way from unwanted modification. That seems to suggest write protect or keeping copies/diffs for restoration.

Which does not explain why Smart Scan on Avast Free scans for this 'problem' in the first place, since SDS is a paid feature and not 'unlocked' in my Avast.

The verbiage is also ambiguous imo. Possibly deliberately so. "No unprotected files" can mean: no relevant documents found = highly unlikely on a user's machine. It can mean that files are indeed protected. Then: how? Or it can mean that Smart Scan hasn't actually scanned for the files. Then: why is a result mentioned, and why is it an added option (and enabled by default) in Smart Scan settings?

What is going on?

[mchain]

Certainly avast marketing could present and handle advertising this feature better than they seem to do here.

From this url:  https://support.avast.com/en-ww/article/39 what Sensitive Data shield is is explained more completely here than via Smart Scan.  I've noted with the paid version, this Sensitive Data protection does not carry over between restarts/cold starts of the operating system as does the vps protection does at minimum.  I do not bother re-scanning each time the system is restarted as it really is pointless. 

Removing the files to a safe place is all that is required, i.e., move them off your connected device.

Attached find two snips of AIS with Sensitive Data Shield enabled. 

Not a fan of using Smart Scan anyway as some of the ticked features don't even run in the current iteration of avast AIS.  It is missing at least two features ticked here to run:  Compatibility issues scan and sensitive data scan.

[Rundvleeskroket]

That link has pretty poor documentation. It says that basic functionality of SDS is included in Smart Scan. It doesn't then say what the basic functionality entails. Or how it differs from the paid (more extensive?) version. This tells me exactly nothing.

If that is meant to apply to paid versions of Avast only, then the documentation is not in line with the reality of what the free version does. Or appears to be doing.

I get the feeling its presence in the free version is an oversight (aka a bug), or meant to scare people into a paid version. SDS is not part of Avast Free, yet it shows up on Free by being included in the Smart Scan results. Without a way to even ascertain if it actually did an inventory of sensitive files.

This is so convoluted.

[DavidR]

<snip>
I get the feeling its presence in the free version is an oversight (aka a bug), or meant to scare people into a paid version. SDS is not part of Avast Free, yet it shows up on Free by being included in the Smart Scan results. Without a way to even ascertain if it actually did an inventory of sensitive files.

This is so convoluted.

I don't believe it is an oversight at all or a bug and you probably have guessed it right, marketing push.

I generally have a very light avast free installation, minimal install with a couple of other components.  Yet Cleanup was installed, but not for long once I saw it.  The UI is cluttered with these paid components in the hope that you will open one and decide to upgrade.

[pk]

SDS can be turned on/off in SmartScan settings and it should be respected. This applies for all Avast edition (Free or paid versions).

SDS scan in SmartScan is a basic scan for sensitive data (scan time in SmartScan, and it applies for all scans in SmartScan, is very limited -- it checks only several locations), SDS full scan in paid version has deeper scan and offers protection of such identified documents.

[bob3160]

SDS can be turned on/off in SmartScan settings and it should be respected. This applies for all Avast edition (Free or paid versions).

SDS scan in SmartScan is a basic scan for sensitive data (scan time in SmartScan, and it applies for all scans in SmartScan, is very limited -- it checks only several locations), SDS full scan in paid version has deeper scan and offers protection of such identified documents.

Can you please tell us how you turn this OFF, I don't see any settings adjustments in the Smart Scan. Thanks

[DavidR]

SDS can be turned on/off in SmartScan settings and it should be respected. This applies for all Avast edition (Free or paid versions).

SDS scan in SmartScan is a basic scan for sensitive data (scan time in SmartScan, and it applies for all scans in SmartScan, is very limited -- it checks only several locations), SDS full scan in paid version has deeper scan and offers protection of such identified documents.

Can you please tell us how you turn this OFF, I don't see any settings adjustments in the Smart Scan. Thanks

No option in my Avast free UI > Settings > General > Smart Scan section - however I wouldn't expect it I made a point of removing it as a component - it is however there in the UI > Privacy along with other paid options I have no intention of using. 

There are many such paid options in the UI cluttering it up.

[Asyn]

Hi guys, it works for me...

[DavidR]

Hi guys, it works for me...

I made a point of removing it on my very minimal install, so that could be the reason on my installation.  I would like to get rid of the other paid options that I did not install that are still in the UI.

[bob3160]

I was talking about the free version.

[Asyn]

I was talking about the free version.

See Reply #35. If it doesn't work for you, wait for PK.

[bob3160]

I was talking about the free version.

See Reply #35. If it doesn't work for you, wait for PK.

My question was directed at reply 35.