Avast Secure Browser Installed Without Permission!

[Jeffrey64]

I can confirm this unwanted behavior is still an issue. I uninstalled the old Safe Zone browser a long long time ago and have never allowed it to be installed since. Applying the 19.4.2374 update today, I found this new Secure Browser installed - without notification, without option to decline. I have uninstalled it, but in reading this thread - 10 months and still an issue - I see that Avast has neither addressed it nor been in the least concerned about it. One more reason I am migrating my clients to Bitdefender as their Avast subscriptions end.

At least there's a feedback option at the end of the uninstall. That was fun.

[adamhj]

Same here. Today when I get home, start my computer, and then found that there is a new icon pinned in taskbar: the Avast Browser. My avast is set to auto update, and I have never seen any update or other prompt for months, then the Avast Browser was installed all by itself.

I have uninstalled the browser and found that my PDF, HTML file association is broken, and I don't know is there any more problem. Whether is it intended or not, you do have successfully angered me.

My current Avast antivirus version is 19.4.2374. I *hope* this is only a bug in the new version's installer. Now I have changed the update option of avast to manual update, and considering a replacement, thank you for your works

[nerotonight]

STOP INSTALLING THIS SHIT ON MY COMPUTER.

I already uninstalled it once; that was your first and last chance to not make this mistake again.  I will be seeking my antivirus protection elsewhere and uninstalling Avast immediately.  Way to piss off your loyal fanbase.

[nerotonight]

I uninstalled it and it installed itself back right in front of my eyes about 20 minutes later.  What is going on?

[maia225]

I want to voice my disappointment too about Avast Secure Browser's aggressive behavior and Avast in general.

It is unacceptable that any program takes over your computer, not if it is free, let alone when you pay for it.
I am using Avast for many years but lately it became a pain in the back. The only thing I wanted to use is Bank Mode but it never works.
Instead it sets itself as default browser and makes changes to other programs too without permission.

I was using an old version of Ccleaner, set not to update. Some time after Avast acquired Ccleaner I was faced with a totally new interface of the program and all its settings changed by Avast without notice.

I am sure some other programs and their settings are changed too but I don't have the time to police Avast's "Software updater" that updates any old software at Avast's discretion, if you don't pay attention (or if you are not a computer savvy).

I think it is time for a new aspiring antivirus with a smaller ego and more user friendly.

[wjfyfe]

5/17/2019, You can add us to the list where Avast Secure Browser installed itself today, not only that, it changed my default browser to AVAST. AVAST has been an excellent anti-virus but even so I now question if I should be trusting AVAST considering how they have chosen to use such underhanded tactics.

Added note: I rebooted my computer and found that Avast had also added Secure Browser to my startup, I am even now more unhappy!

[Jon195]

Yes!  I think it's a virus.  It's bringing my machine to a halt and running more than 30 duplicate processes that are hard to kill.  Let's get avast on this at once.  The antivirus has been great at stopping other viruses, but no this one so far.

[Jon195]

I have been killing avast safe browser processes for the past three days an uninstalling it, and it keeps coming back. I am half thinking to just to a full drive format.  There was a new update today, and although the browser re-installed, I don't have a ton of processes hogging CPU and drive.  I hope it stays this way.  If this is a virus, I hope that avast can tackle it. If it's part of avast, it should be completely axed as it is a major, unwelcome pain.

[bob3160]

I have been killing avast safe browser processes for the past three days an uninstalling it, and it keeps coming back. I am half thinking to just to a full drive format.  There was a new update today, and although the browser re-installed, I don't have a ton of processes hogging CPU and drive.  I hope it stays this way.  If this is a virus, I hope that avast can tackle it. If it's part of avast, it should be completely axed as it is a major, unwelcome pain.

It isn't a virus. It's a browser designed to make your banking and shopping safer.
If you really don't want it, remove it by following these directions.

Uninstall Secure Browser via Programs and Features - Reboot
Download the Secure Browser Removal tool from here, https://download.avastbrowser.com/avast_secure_browser_uninstall.exe
Run the removal tool, reboot.
That's it.

[Jon195]

Today, avast secure browser installed itself on another of my computers and completely brought it to it's knees.  I was battling it for hours as it was bringing up more copies of itself.  I had to boot in safe mode to get rid of it.  This is a real shame.  I have been happy with avast antivirus for years, but this browser is really killing multiple of my machines without permission, and it's hard to recover the machine to get rid of it.  It's time to get rid of avast entirely unless they can fix this new browser, which to me is worse than any VIRUS I've dealt with.

[pasotours]

This just happened to us and we have never installed anything from Avast.  My wife just started up her computer and it prompted to install Avast browser.  She closed the window, didn't tell it to install and it went ahead and installed and made it her default browser.  It also auto opened the browser from start of the computer.  I analyzed the install and it was added as a startup in the registry to auto install on July 19.

We have removed it and reported Avast as a trojan spam company to all the services.  It is completely irresponsible to slam your browser in as default when you never ok permission.  I would urge all do never use any products from this company and report them as virus and spam providers to all services.

That is the only way they will change their behavior.

[bob3160]

@ Jon 195 and pasotours,
See if this is of any help,
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=195048.msg1513326#msg1513326

[Arana3]

To clarify, you will only receive the browser in the following scenarios:

• If you had SafeZone Browser installed on your machine you will have been automatically updated. Unlike the old SafeZone Browser you can uninstall Avast Secure Bowser independently of the Antivirus.
• You accepted an offer to install the browser from the Avast Antivirus. This could have been on the first page of the installer of the Antivirus or from a post-update screen.

Mine was a fresh OS Installation, I Always choose custom installation to avoid such tricks
I tried again today and now I noticed what he is saying, the option is not in the Custom installation options, its a subtle trick, it is here:

The difference from last install is this time I did it on a PC with HUGE SCREEN and not on a laptop, that stupid black GUI is GIGANTIC and does not allow you to see the bottom part where you can untick that option, I don't think that is a coincidence, also It doesn not allow you to properly close the options screen or anything at all if you dont have like a 4000x2000 screen resolution.


These are the options I always use ,
and I didnt see the browser mentioned there, of course it is NOT THERE


Avast keeps pushing to install shit they will never sell even if there is no use for it without buying it, and now a browser, 2 extensions and webshiwld  wasn't enough to spy you already or your HELP AVAST by sending blah blah, , my guess is that antivirus market is shrinking and they are desperate, with defender in win10 almost being everything you need, and big corporations using things like trendmicro which is really good and without tricks, the low end companies are struggling to get a dollar.

[DavidR]

You might as well not bother with an on-access AV if your going to disable web scanning, the greatest majority originates on the web.  Most of the on-access AVs come with a web scanning module.

Your system your choice.

[bob3160]

You might as well not bother with an on-access AV if your going to disable web scanning, the greatest majority originates on the web.  Most of the on-access AVs come with a web scanning module.

Your system your choice.

That's almost like selecting not to be protected.