What "avast overseer" is?

[bob3160]

Interesting thread.

Could someone at Avast explain how one of my PCs ended up with Overseer installed, when I've:

(a) Never used an Avast product on this computer
(b) Never authorized a bootstrapped Avast installation in conjunction with installing any other application
(c) Never provided any consent whatsoever for Avast to daily scan my computer for possible "errors" and "updates" for a product that has never before occupied one kilobyte on my system.

Asking for a GDPR friend.

http://processchecker.com/file/Overseer.exe.html

[drake127]

The Overseer.exe is being deployed during installation of Avast Antivirus only. There's no magic involved.

You might be able to check creation time of Overseer.exe directory and cross reference Avast logs in "C:\ProgramData\Avast Software\Persistent Data\Logs\Avast". It is not very reliable though.

[REDACTED]

I've just discovered this new "feature", and after reading all this discussion I'm not satisfied yet.

This is all a matter of trust.

Is this a test run only on few users? Good, I must be able to opt out from the testing. 
(i'm already opted out in the settings from "participating in the avast community", I would have guessed that was already enough to make it clear I don't want to be a test subject, I'll restate it, I don't want to be a test subject for your software experiments, do that in your beta zones, or among the willing ones)
And I should have been notified about it before overseer had been installed, but that's already in the past. (don't shrug this off, this was a failure on your communication, and some serious excuses would be the least on your part)

Is this a new feature? Good, it must be visible in the avast settings, or among the components, and be possible to be disabled or removed permanently, without it reinstalling itself against our will.
("but it's less secure", add to the enable/disable setting a nice "not advised" red text as it's use for other sensitive options, but there must be an option to disable&remove overseer)

Any less means you're banking on the trust you've built up over the years, until it'll run out. Do yourself a favor and take this issue seriously. Plz.

[bob3160]

@nazad,
You're entitled to your opinion.

[zoli62]

If you completelly uninstall Avast Antivirus, why does overseer.exe remain?

[zoli62]

My previous question is still up to the developers and I would add one more. I would like to ask furthermore whether the  behavior of antivirus client (Avast, Avg) will be affected by disabling or deleting overseer.exe? So that file is an essential part of the program?

[schmidthouse]

If you completelly uninstall Avast Antivirus, why does overseer.exe remain?

I can't answer your question directly however it is a good question.

I have read more information here:https://borncity.com/win/2018/08/26/windows-or-defender-reported-overseer-exe/

[bob3160]

My previous question is still up to the developers and I would add one more. I would like to ask furthermore whether the  behavior of antivirus client (Avast, Avg) will be affected by disabling or deleting overseer.exe? So that file is an essential part of the program?

See this: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=210028.msg1427323#msg1427323
You should also read reply # 10.

[zoli62]

My previous question is still up to the developers and I would add one more. I would like to ask furthermore whether the  behavior of antivirus client (Avast, Avg) will be affected by disabling or deleting overseer.exe? So that file is an essential part of the program?

See this: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=210028.msg1427323#msg1427323
You should also read reply # 10.

Although I use AVG, but it's soothing, that Avast/AVG runs just fine without this 'tool'.

[bob3160]

My previous question is still up to the developers and I would add one more. I would like to ask furthermore whether the  behavior of antivirus client (Avast, Avg) will be affected by disabling or deleting overseer.exe? So that file is an essential part of the program?

See this: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=210028.msg1427323#msg1427323
You should also read reply # 10.

Although I use AVG, but it's soothing, that Avast/AVG runs just fine without this 'tool'.

It's job is to prevent and fix problems. So until you run into a problem, I'm sure you'll not miss that program.

[chris..]

If you completelly uninstall Avast Antivirus, why does overseer.exe remain?

I can't answer your question directly however it is a good question.

I have read more information here:https://borncity.com/win/2018/08/26/windows-or-defender-reported-overseer-exe/

hello,
If avast has been uninstalled, can't it be part of Ubisoft?

http://processchecker.com/developers_info/43293/Reflections,%20A%20Ubisoft%20Studio
http://processchecker.com/file/Overseer.exe.html

5    C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Overseer\Overseer.exe    Overseer    Reflections, A Ubisoft Studio    1.0.0.151    234086    2EA70EE705D241D0029BE109D5A854CF

[centaur2469]

I have not nor will I ever install Avast upon any of my PCs. It's a personal thing. Here is a complaint I am issuing to Avast! I have never installed Avast on this PC to which I am currently writting from now. I have not downloaded any third-party software nor any bundled software that may contain the Avast program. So how did this "Overseer" program with a digital signature from Avast even get onto my PC? Today for the first time I get a notification that this program is trying to access files, folders, internet access, ect. So I have a MAJOR bone to pick with you people at Avast. I do not like your software! At All! I won't put you down in a public manner as to why. I'm going to research into just how your program got onto my PC and in no way did I give you any kind of permission to do anything within my PC, let alone even be on my PC. So what gives? Avast seems willing to sneak onto peoples computers via other third party software pretty much hiding within bundling of other software should inform everyone that Avast feels some need to use those kind of tactic to sneak it's way in, is the first obvious sign of a lack of consideration on your part. And now I can tell you're trying to be even sneakier. Tell you what Avast. I'm going to track your program down and remove it. Then, I'm going to send all results of how you got on to the FCC or whatever authorities that have the ability to prosecute you. You have invaded my PC without permission. I want you out. Don't try to give me some excuse of an answer that I can and will make you look silly for saying. MSM tried that with me and got schooled on the innerworkings and functions of PCs. You suddenly appeared on my PC today. My only installment in the last two months is a MSM update. SDo where did your programe even come from, all of a sudden?

[bob3160]

And MSM update stand for what

[qwert22]

It seem like an attempt on a joke - but it is NOT. I got this stuff installed On my PC never using CONCIOUSLY AVAST software. My suspicions about AVAST were correct and the trust to your company went below zero. For a long time I'm trying to avoid installing your products and there is always a way you find it to my system. IT IS AS BAD AS MALWARE. How come you are able to install things without my knowledge or consent?
What gives you right or permission to install it? What information are you collecting?
Is there a list of applications your company bought and at the same time gained access to my PC? (like CCleaner)

This is fairly new reinstallation of Windows 10 (after ver 1809) and now I have zero trust to this PC seeing some software company acting like that.

Thanks for the warning!

Hi, I was betting how long it would take for someone to notice.

It is our new application that is going to help us detect common (technical) issues with our products. In a sense, it behaves similarly to our Avast Emergency Update but is able to correct these issues independently and even catch them sooner. That's at least theory, currently we are evaluating its performance on small fraction of our users.

If somebody is interested in more details, don't hesitate to ask. ;-)

[bob3160]

@ qwert22
Question was asked and answered. https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=210028.msg1427323#msg1427323