When available, I always do a custom install. Lots of modules in Avast are fluff or lureware. I only install the File, Web, and Behavior Shields in the free version. With the payware version, I added the Ransomware, Firewall, Real Site, Sandbox shields. I suspect the only way to get rid of their spam popups is to buy EVERY module they sell, like their subscription VPN secureline service.
The popup spam says "Remember your 63% discount" but it does not say for what. Maybe if I clicked on the button to accept their offer then I'd find out what they were spamming about; however, since I made a purchase and they would have my charge number, I didn't want to take the risk that they would be again impolite by charging me for something I was just trying to see what they were spamming about.
The first popup was within a hour after doing the new payware install. I imported the backed up settings, went through the product looking at the firewall and ransomware modules, added more paths to the ransomware protection, and just got out to do some work when the spam popup appeared (which obliterates a part of the screen that I needed to get at). Later that same evening I got another. Today I got 2 more spam popups but didn't record when or how far apart. It was after the 4th spam popup that I decided I got ripped off: I paid and yet I was still getting spammed. Their support tech (in very broken English and lots of background noise), and after suggesting to disable the same options that I had already disabled, said that's how it is supposed to work insinuating that something that I didn't pay for, like the lureware services (VPNsecure), was causing the spam popups.
I get the impressions that if you don't buy EVERYTHING they offer then you will continue to get spammed. Well, hell, that's what I had in their freeware version, too.
There are other anti-ransomware available, like from Acroni, Kaspersky, and BitDefender, so I'll request a refund on what continues to be a spamware platform, go back to Avast Free, enable Silent Mode, and try something else for ransomware protection. I was disappointed in how Avast's Ransomware shield works. All it does is restrict access to specified folders. Well, I can use Window 10's Defender to enable its protected folders to get the same protection. Avast isn't offering anything that Win10's Defender doesn't have. Only if you're on an earlier version of Windows does its Defender not that the protected folders feature. Their firewall is too simplistic and I'll go to Comodo Firewall (and not their Internet Suite with its worthless anti-virus).
So I paid but still ended up with a spam platform. Their Ransomware module emulates what Defender can do in Windows 10. Their firewall is okay but then I can use a free firewall for that function. What did I get by paying? Nothing different than what I would get with their freeware and combine with other free anti-ransomware and other free firewalls.
I threw them some money but was very disappointed in what I got: nothing better than other freeware and spam popups still showing up. I'll pursue a refund and combine my own suite of best-of-breed solutions.
