I use the free version of Avast virus protection, and as such, I accept the stream of advertising that comes with it. A couple of years back, I paid the subscription for a year, believing that the adverts would stop, but they didn't, so I ended the subscription. Also, I run a single device (laptop PC - no phone or other), so I didn't get much advantage from the subscription service.
I have been having performance issues, so I looked in Resource Manager in the hopes of finding what was causing them. Quite high on the list, I found "Avast Secure Browser". I did not know I had it, but I thought it was, perhaps, a part of the Avast security software, but a bit of Internet research told me that it is a stand-alone program using resources and slowing down my PC. I de-installed it, and I have a little more available memory now, and a few more CPU cycles. What really bothers me about it is that it was put there without my knowledge or permission - very much in the same way that malware gets onto people's PCs. I really don't like this mode of operation of the company. If ever I am asked by somebody for a recommendation, that will certainly figure in what I tell that person.
I went back to Resource Monitor to see what else I could find, and one of the programs taking resource was "VPN.exe" - and the description is "Avast Secureline VPN" (running 40 threads). What is it doing there? I looked up VPN.exe and found it was a Microsoft program - but am I mistaken in assuming that Avast has replaced it with their own? I certainly know from the advertising stream that Avast is pushing VPN, but I already have NordVPN, so I don't need another. I also have "Avast Secureline VPN Service" (running a further 26 threads).
Please tell me
1. what these two programs are
2. how they got there
3. whether I am getting any benefit from them
4. whether I would suffer any consequence from removing them
I also have Avast Behaviour Shield, but I gather that is part of the protection software.
I am hugely grateful to Avast for the protection they have offered me, but from what I have seen and read of them today, they are employing tactics that I do not like! When it comes to performance, it seems Avast is part of the problem rather than being part of the solution.