Avast antivirus selling user data

Status
Not open for further replies.
IMO, Windows 10 with the built in defender is all you need. I am a firm believer that a lot of these anti-virus softwares cause more problems than they solve.
 
Originally Posted by dishdude
IMO, Windows 10 with the built in defender is all you need. I am a firm believer that a lot of these anti-virus softwares cause more problems than they solve.

Although we can't be sure that Microsoft is not selling our data also.
 
Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by dishdude
IMO, Windows 10 with the built in defender is all you need. I am a firm believer that a lot of these anti-virus softwares cause more problems than they solve.

Although we can't be sure that Microsoft is not selling our data also.

Microsoft is much more up front that they do it. During the windows 10 initial setup process there is a whole page of stuff with detailed descriptions of what they collect.
It's a bummer, Avast was excellent for a while. But then it became garbage.
Malwarebytes is where it's at! Either just use the free version in conjunction with Windows 10's built-in Defender and do a Malwarebytes scan occasionally or pony up for the paid version to get the absolute best real-time protection money can buy.
PS: nothing is free. If it's free, you're the product (examples: Facebook, Snapchat, Windows 10) but at the end of the day, I know that all the "oH mY pRiVaCy" people wouldn't pay $100/mo for a private version of Facebook!
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by dishdude
IMO, Windows 10 with the built in defender is all you need. I am a firm believer that a lot of these anti-virus softwares cause more problems than they solve.

IT professional here. Windows 10 built in AV isn't half bad. If you have non-tech savvy people using your computer that will click on just about anything, you may want something more robust. Comcast customers in the US receive Norton Security Suite for free if you have internet service through them.
 
Originally Posted by xfactor9
"Avast, which makes free antivirus software that's used by millions of people around the world, is reportedly selling "highly sensitive" web browsing data via a subsidiary company called Jumpshot...."

https://www.cnet.com/news/antivirus-firm-avast-is-reportedly-selling-users-web-browsing-data/

Free software has a price

Avast has both free as well as paid subscription service levels. The article does not make it clear if Avast is selling data of just the free users or all users.
 
Originally Posted by dogememe

Microsoft is much more up front that they do it. During the windows 10 initial setup process there is a whole page of stuff with detailed descriptions of what they collect.
It's a bummer, Avast was excellent for a while. But then it became garbage.
Malwarebytes is where it's at! Either just use the free version in conjunction with Windows 10's built-in Defender and do a Malwarebytes scan occasionally or pony up for the paid version to get the absolute best real-time protection money can buy.
PS: nothing is free. If it's free, you're the product (examples: Facebook, Snapchat, Windows 10) but at the end of the day, I know that all the "oH mY pRiVaCy" people wouldn't pay $100/mo for a private version of Facebook!


Windows 10 isn't free though. It costs $100 for the retail Home version ($10 pirated licenses not withstanding), so MS would have no excuse to do what Avast did. And when it's pre-installed on OEM hardware, the manufacturer pays MS for the license. Either way, it's not free for the user.

This is a reminder why I'd never use free tax software.
 
Originally Posted by JustinH
You can buy an eset or Trend license on ebay for a few bucks. I typically go that route.


Yup.
 
grin2.gif


I remember Avast, those were the days of using Windows XP.

Eventually I found ways to using Windows XP without using any anti-virus, thanks to Wilders Security Forums.

That was when it was fun, then got bored when Windows 7 came along and switched to Linux Mint.
 
I just enjoy my MAC no virus software. Never heard of anyone getting a virus on a MAC but maybe can happen.

I do run Defender on our Win10 computer(Thinkpad W530) which sole purpose is daughter to run Chrome and Minecraft.
 
Originally Posted by 28oz
Originally Posted by madRiver
I just enjoy my MAC no virus software. Never heard of anyone getting a virus on a MAC but maybe can happen.



Macs are absolutely vulnerable.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-antivirus

STIGs (Security Technical Implementation Guide):

https://www.stigviewer.com/stigs

PLENTY of vulnerabilities in Mac and Apple iOS.


Like madRiver, though, I have never heard of a real-world example of someone's Mac (or Linux, for that matter) system getting infected with some type of malware and suffering real-world harm.
 
Originally Posted by uc50ic4more
Originally Posted by 28oz
Originally Posted by madRiver
I just enjoy my MAC no virus software. Never heard of anyone getting a virus on a MAC but maybe can happen.



Macs are absolutely vulnerable.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-antivirus

STIGs (Security Technical Implementation Guide):

https://www.stigviewer.com/stigs

PLENTY of vulnerabilities in Mac and Apple iOS.


Like madRiver, though, I have never heard of a real-world example of someone's Mac (or Linux, for that matter) system getting infected with some type of malware and suffering real-world harm.


I have maybe had to clean up 2 or 3 Mac's with malicious garbage on them? Certainly pales in comparison to the Windows boxes.
 
Originally Posted by uc50ic4more
Originally Posted by 28oz
Originally Posted by madRiver
I just enjoy my MAC no virus software. Never heard of anyone getting a virus on a MAC but maybe can happen.



Macs are absolutely vulnerable.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-antivirus

STIGs (Security Technical Implementation Guide):

https://www.stigviewer.com/stigs

PLENTY of vulnerabilities in Mac and Apple iOS.


Like madRiver, though, I have never heard of a real-world example of someone's Mac (or Linux, for that matter) system getting infected with some type of malware and suffering real-world harm.


Never heard of a real world example?
confused2.gif
It happens. All. The. Time.

https://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/worlds-biggest-data-breaches-hacks

Surely you don't think these were ALL just Windows machines that were breached by hacks, malware, or viruses?

Linux is one of the most targeted OS right now.

http://techgenix.com/linux-security-concerns

Plenty of articles and examples out there. Every OS has it's vulnerabilities and should be hardened. But, hey, it's only your data.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top