Author Topic: Wolf!  (Read 2581 times)

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Offline loungehake

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Wolf!
« on: September 24, 2019, 10:30:07 PM »
I feel increasingly less secure because of the increasing false alarms which the Avast sales department is causing to be sent.  I have in quick succession just been warned about my web cam and lan security.  I use Windows 10 and have restricted access to the web cam.  I recognise the name of the lan because I set it up.  This softening up of the user creates confusion and so makes me possibly more vulnerable to scams rather than less vulnerable.  I put up with the daily 'warnings' because that is the price I accept for using the Free version.  However, isn't there a risk of fraudsters sending warnings under the pretend guise of having been sent by Avast?

This explains my subject heading Wolf!.  I am sure that the meaning and consequence of 'crying wolf' is not unfamiliar to Avast personnel.

I shall continue to use Avast Free, even in spite of the flaky version 19.8.3293 getting confused by and confusing the processor core isolation features, because it is so darned good.  N.B. I continue to use version 19.7.2388 because 19.8.3293 got confused even when core isolation was disabled.  i look forward to considerable improvements in version 19.9.
« Last Edit: September 24, 2019, 10:40:11 PM by loungehake »
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Offline bob3160

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2019, 10:50:39 PM »
I feel increasingly less secure because of the increasing false alarms which the Avast sales department is causing to be sent.  I have in quick succession just been warned about my web cam and lan security.  I use Windows 10 and have restricted access to the web cam.  I recognise the name of the lan because I set it up.  This softening up of the user creates confusion and so makes me possibly more vulnerable to scams rather than less vulnerable.  I put up with the daily 'warnings' because that is the price I accept for using the Free version.  However, isn't there a risk of fraudsters sending warnings under the pretend guise of having been sent by Avast?

This explains my subject heading Wolf!.  I am sure that the meaning and consequence of 'crying wolf' is not unfamiliar to Avast personnel.

I shall continue to use Avast Free, even in spite of the flaky version 19.8.3293 getting confused by and confusing the processor core isolation features, because it is so darned good.  N.B. I continue to use version 19.7.2388 because 19.8.3293 got confused even when core isolation was disabled.  i look forward to considerable improvements in version 19.9.
Nothing new and as long as you're using the free version, probably not anything that's going to change.
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Offline loungehake

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2019, 07:34:09 PM »
What I should have said is that Avast is normalising popups about security threats thus confusing the many naive users and making it more likely that they will be successfully scammed by real threats.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2019, 01:13:45 AM »
What I should have said is that Avast is normalising popups about security threats thus confusing the many naive users and making it more likely that they will be successfully scammed by real threats.
I may not like the popups but can't agree with your analysis.
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Offline loungehake

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2019, 09:53:40 AM »
A unwelcome Avast popup offers me a welcome gift. There's an irony. We are Beta testers and I accept that, even after the virtualisation issue with version 19.8.2393.

I will say for Avast that uninstalling a problematic new version and reinstalling an earlier version of its software is very straightforward and quick. I always download and store the offline installer of each new update.
Windows 10 Pro 22H2 x64, Avast Free 24.1, Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit, Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware

Offline loungehake

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2019, 01:06:17 PM »
I am helpfully warned about an unprotected camera.  I am using Windows 10 and have allowed camera and microphone access only to Skype.  Avast Free could have checked that this had been done.  This makes Avast look silly.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2019, 05:12:24 PM »
I am helpfully warned about an unprotected camera.  I am using Windows 10 and have allowed camera and microphone access only to Skype.  Avast Free could have checked that this had been done.  This makes Avast look silly.
That protection I believe is part of the paid product.
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Offline loungehake

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2019, 09:32:27 PM »
I'm sorry Bob. I was trying to say that it doesn't reflect well on Avast that it draws attention to a paid-for Avast camera security feature which is effectively redundant in Windows 10. Doesn't Avast recognise the version of Windows which its product is installed on?

Fortunately the essential security built into Avast Free is so good that, in spite of the alerts, I cannot find a better product, paid for otherwise. VirusBulletin's most recent tests show 100% detection success by Avast Free.  That's why I would use no other product.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2019, 09:35:55 PM »
I'm sorry Bob. I was trying to say that it doesn't reflect well on Avast that it draws attention to a paid-for Avast camera security feature which is effectively redundant in Windows 10. Doesn't Avast recognise the version of Windows which its product is installed on?

Fortunately the essential security built into Avast Free is so good that, in spite of the alerts, I cannot find a better product, paid for otherwise. VirusBulletin's most recent tests show 100% detection success by Avast Free.  That's why I would use no other product.
By now, you already know that if you don't want popups, you need to purchase a paid version.

Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

Offline loungehake

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2019, 10:50:07 AM »
The paid for version does not provide me with features that I want or need.  What really bewilders me is the premium feature irrelevance advertised by the popups.  I am used to being warned that my stated location is sometimes hundreds of miles away in several different places from my actual location.  I am warned that my web cam is visible when Windows 10 Privacy has enabled me to make it inaccessible to all processes except Skype (in my case).  This makes Avast look less than competent.

As I have previously stated, Avast Free is a great product in which I have the greatest confidence.  It operates co-operatively and sociably with other installed security products.  False positives are unknown to me.  I would not willingly use another product intended for the purposes that Avast is designed for.  Its essential effectiveness, according to VirusBulletin, is superb.

By all means may Avast make its Premium feaures known to Avast Free users but not under the guise of security alerts.  The advertising popups are clumsy tarnishing of what should otherwise be Avast's gleaming image.  I would hazard a guess that those who are responsible for the popups are not those who are responsible for the specification and design of the essential functional features of Avast's excellent software.

I've said enough.  Like WC Field's pig, I will now get up and slowly walk away.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2019, 10:52:30 AM by loungehake »
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Offline claudiubotezatu

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Re: Wolf!
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2019, 12:56:12 PM »
  Its essential effectiveness, according to VirusBulletin, is superb.

Basically each and every antivirus passed VB100 ( even TGSoft , Inca Internet , which are unheard of) so do not get so excited about Avast free passing VB100.

If you are on Win 10 , you do not need anything else beside Windows Defender (100% detection rate in AC Comparatives vs 99.4% Avast)
Avira and BitDefender , which have free version also, scored 100%
« Last Edit: October 14, 2019, 12:58:57 PM by claudiubotezatu »