Today I got what I thought was a routine "upgrades are available" message. I clicked to install it. It took a really long time which I thought was strange for an update so I canceled it. Then I saw that a Google Chrome icon was on my desktop and that was what the essential update was - installing Google Chrome. I removed it from my computer but I am not happy that Avast did that without informing us that would happen.
Be careful if you have Avast
(17 posts) (10 voices)-
Hi Terry,
I've just seen the message that Avast wanted to install Chrome and change my default browser to it. I just unticked the boxes and it wasn't installed. Perhaps you missed that after the reboot after the latest upgrade?
So they do give you the option, you just have to watch out for it sorry.
John
Posted 12 years ago # -
I hadn't noticed any pop ups' yet today, but after seeing your alert, I opened it up, Avast), and did a upgrade program/data base- I had no offer of chrome or upgrading it--and then I did the restart.
Scotty immediately started barking at me after the restart w/some avast web trust thingie....I okd' it-
:) I'm proud to report that the little scanner/extension icon they installed on my chrome shows green as I write this & the text on hover states "this site has a good rating(based on many votes" :)I have Avast(free not paid),and chrome w/extensions & have for a couple years-
Posted 12 years ago # -
Probably like others I have seen in the past (ie. CCleaner) the installation of Chrome will only prompt/proceed if it detects you don't already have it installed.
so @TMike:
I hadn't noticed any pop ups' yet today,
I have ... chrome w/extensions & have for a couple years
Posted 12 years ago # -
Tiffany
MemberI have Google Chrome anyway, never use it much but its there and yes I got the add Chrome to your computer blah blah blah. All it did was update it for me. But........
Be careful how it runs your computer from now on. Programs previously let through with the older version now wants to put them into a Sandbox. My ImgBurn has never caused for alarm suddenly Avast wants to stick in Sandbox but it said it didn't find any virus on it. Wtf.... so I couldn't find where to add or delete to make it safe and then after about 4 times of Sandbox blah blah blah, it gave me another screen to include ImgBurn in their safe pile and do not ask again is clicked.
So hopefully, my ImgBurn will be safe from now on.
.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregisteredcurrent list of dodgy installers (Unwanted add-on)
http://www.instantfundas.com/2011/02/list-of-software-installers-that-bundle.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/software/166782-skype-botched-update-unwanted-addon.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7615202_remove-unwanted-toolbars-permanently.html
Posted 12 years ago # -
I can't believe Avast drank the koolaid....Jack of all trades master of none. It used to be a good program..just like WOT... WOT's ratings are so convoluted I hardly pay attention to them. Most the time "User rating's" are inaccurate.
Why do they have to "fix" something that isn't broken?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregisterednow I go to new fist thing I fit Avast & take my time did the update un tick all look good and I am not on the net and get back can not download Chrome check Program Files & find Google folder with updater in side ?
Terri218 may Be careful if you have Avast and work off line and look in Program files and add google stopPosted 12 years ago # -
Ok folks, I'm the latest 'victim' of the problem with Chrome. I have just had the message from Avast that an upgrade is available. I confirmed and off it went and took longer than usual, asked to reboot, which I agreed too.
This is where the problem arose, the option to install Chrome or not appeared om screen for only about a half second before closing. At the end I was congratulated for installing Chrome, and setting it as default browser. What a load of crap I agreed to no such thing, there was no chance to decline at all.
This has been happening for months now to some and not others and it's still not fixed :-(
. Anyone suggest a free replacement?Posted 12 years ago # -
Sure -- MSE! It's free and has a very low rate of false positives. The full scan is a bit slow but it's been working fine for me since I got fed up with Avira (admitting false positives and refusing to fix them).
Posted 12 years ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorMicrosoft Security Essentials is cool -- if you're interested see if you can get the beta. I run the beta on my VMs where I add/test new software, usually about 1/2 dozen apps a day, & haven't had the slightest hiccup. On the downside Security Essentials does not include a firewall. Two sites I look at for AV software comparisons are http://www.shadowserver.org/wiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage & http://www.av-test.org/en/home/
Don't know what's available in the UK &/or EU, but here I've settled on McAfee... it's not the best, but IMO adequate. It's reliably cheap -- I usually buy licenses for the top suite in the spring/summer, months before they're actually needed, paying roughly $10 for 3 PCs -- I've found Dell & Buy.com reliably have sales on McAfee [download or boxed] in that price range. Otherwise the major brands, including McAfee have been on sale from time to time over the last 3-4 years for $0 after MIR, but you have to front the $50-$75 purchase price & wait for the refund. Usually with AV apps you get that sort of pricing if you buy new rather than renewing your existing license(s), & at least with McAfee that means uninstalling the old, installing the new, with no way to just add the new license to what you've already got.
One reason I like McAfee is because it's user friendly, common sense enough that my wife doesn't mind it... That's not to imply she doesn't know her way around PCs, but she has a Very low tolerance for stupid design/operation. And McAfee is removable -- not every brand of AV software is in my experience.
Posted 12 years ago # -
True - MSE doesn't have a firewall but Windows does and it seems to work fine. MSE does disable Windows Defender because it's a super-set of Defender and the only problem that causes is if you need/want to run Software Explorer in Vista. You have to disable the active part of MSE to be able to activate Defender to run the side-product. Why, I don't know, but Microsoft removed Software Explorer with Windows 7. It's a very nice way to remove start-up applications and processes without using msconfig and therby getting warning messages for "disabled" products. CCleaner does it now so I guess someone else has filled Microsoft's hole!
Posted 12 years ago #
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