FAKE Avast AV

[Jim352]

I have accidentally downloaded a "semi-fake" Avast AV.   It has nearly destroyed my computer.   I was wanting Avast due to Win7 support ending.    I would greatly appreciate any advice you might have.   Have you heard of this happening to others?  Thank you!   

notes:    it has added a registry key that is locked and can't be deleted.   I can delete it in safe mode, but soon as computer boots, it's back.   

I am emailing from another computer.   Mine will no longer even boot up in safe mode.     

[Pondus]

I have accidentally downloaded a "semi-fake" Avast AV.

What is semi-fake ?

Mine will no longer even boot up in safe mode.   

If it want boot then there is nothing to do

[Jim352]

you really with Avast?   

what is semi-fake?  Google it.

if it won't boot there is nothing to do.   boot from CD/DVD

I managed to clean and repair with diskpart, so you can disregard. 

based on your "expertise" I don't think I will select Avast moving forward.

Thank you.

[Be Secure]

you really with Avast?   

what is ?  Google it.

if it won't boot there is nothing to do.   boot from CD/DVD

I managed to clean and repair with diskpart, so you can disregard. 

based on your "expertise" I don't think I will select Avast moving forward.

Thank you.

Hey! Here is a blog about Attack of the semi-fake antivirus by avast(2011): https://blog.avast.com/2011/03/17/attack-of-the-semi-fake-antivirus/

go directly to the company website. And when in doubt, leave. As the fine print on one suspect site states: ”If you do not understand or do not agree to be bound by this privacy policy, you must immediately leave the website.”

[Pondus]

based on your "expertise" I don't think I will select Avast moving forward.

you really with Avast?

No ... who say i am?

This is a user forum so most answers here will be from avast users

[mchain]

"Accidentally downloaded" semi-fake Avast A/V as in a download for some other file and avast was installed without your permission?  [Bundled install]

https://unchecky.com/

Or, downloaded as in didn't mean to, it was a mistake?

[Jim352]

unchecky looks like a good thing.

 the primary difference here is they did not ask for any money.  it just played sound files about how he can't accept America in it's current state.   

sorry for thinking user worked for avast...   

[Jim352]

no not bundle.  bad link and I don't recall if I was in Bing or Google.  but yes, downloaded.   fell hook line and sinker.  it appeared to function like the real thing, apparently as it hacked away in the background. 

[stibi]

I would go back to an image from the system before that happened - always better than searching for problems at various places