Avast Corporate Warning Dialogue

[system]

@InTheAir post:20

…
If they answer “home” then the message doesn’t appear again. If they do in fact use the software for business and select “home” then you have them on record.

The problem is, how to prove it…

There will always be an issue of finding the balance between preventing this and causing issues for genuine users (e.g. sniperfodder)

For example, I imagine that there are a few people that only use 1 pc with avast free on it in a business environment, how to catch that without causing trouble for all those normal users that use it legitimately.

As it stands now, I am glad that avast are trying to prevent this from happening (finally ;)), and by doing it the way they are now there are two benefits:

1. Most, typical avast users are not affected (but there will always be some, case in point this thread)
2. They are targeting the situations where it has the most impact on them commercially, i.e. those that may be requiring many licenses.

And another thing…it is nice to see a thread about an avast popup that is well received…rather than “blah…I will remove…blah…” you get what I mean… (kudos to you sniperfodder :))

[system]

@Vlk post:7

The popup is genuine. We recently ran a “campaign” like this.
The check is pretty simple: if the computer is part of ActiveDirectory, and there’s more then 3 computers in the AD, avast thinks it’s a business environment (as opposed to home environment).

This may cause some very small number of “false positives”, but is generally quite accurate.
If you’re really using avast for non-commercial purposes at home, please accept our apologies.

Thanks
Vlk

I am not sure why a “home user” would install RSAT tools including Active Directory unless they live on an estate?

Does anyone have any ideas why a “home user” would have a need for or want to install RSAT tools unless they live on an estate?

Thanks

[system]

Surely sniperfodder’s response to Vlk’s post would answer that question?

Oh yea, not a problem. I completely understand what you mean. My server, My dad's PC, My Gaming Rig, My laptop, My Brother's PC, and a spare PC are all on the domain. It makes it easier on the family if we all have a login that can work on each other's PC, as well as the ability to push out software and the like to all the machines on the domain. As far as I know my PC is the only machine on the network with Avast running on it.

And to be honest, if I had that many pcs, then I would be looking to do the same thing…

[system]

I use it to disable accounts when one of my kids is not allowed on the computer. I also like that anyone can log into any computer and get their data and settings.

I used to be in IT and I was lucky enough to have Microsoft send me a 5 user Windows 2003 Standard Edition… if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be using a domain. I have 10 PCs (3 virtual) on the network and 4 wireless devices, but only 4 run Windows with Avast.

[system]

So it sounds like when people turn their network into a corporate business type network by using RTS tools and Active Directory that avast! nails them with this reminder.

Avast has it correct again. ;D

[system]

@spg SCOTT post:21

And another thing…it is nice to see a thread about an avast popup that is well received…rather than “blah…I will remove…blah…” you get what I mean… (kudos to you sniperfodder :))

Yea, I like Avast. Plus it’s not the program’s fault that the program is doing it’s job XD

@InTheAir post:24

I use it to disable accounts when one of my kids is not allowed on the computer. I also like that anyone can log into any computer and get their data and settings.

I used to be in IT and I was lucky enough to have Microsoft send me a 5 user Windows 2003 Standard Edition… if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be using a domain. I have 10 PCs (3 virtual) on the network and 4 wireless devices, but only 4 run Windows with Avast.

Hahaha Yea. If I ever kids they are going to hate me, since I’m pretty decent with PC’s

[Lisandro]

Good movement of antipiracy.

[Lisandro]

@Vlk post:7

The popup is genuine. We recently ran a “campaign” like this.
The check is pretty simple: if the computer is part of ActiveDirectory, and there’s more then 3 computers in the AD, avast thinks it’s a business environment (as opposed to home environment).

This may cause some very small number of “false positives”, but is generally quite accurate.
If you’re really using avast for non-commercial purposes at home, please accept our apologies.

Thanks
Vlk

But, will the popup coming back again and again? ???

[MartinZ]

No Tech, we will just show it few more times and then it stops.

Martin

[Lisandro]

@MartinZ post:29

No Tech, we will just show it few more times and then it stops.

Martin

Thanks. Good policy. And, please ;), run it from time to time

[system]

I guess I should read the EULA again since I don’t remember agreeing that Avast could collect info on my workgroup or domain.

[igor0]

It doesn’t collect anything, everything’s done locally.

[Lisandro]

@agaru post:31

I guess I should read the EULA again since I don’t remember agreeing that Avast could collect info on my workgroup or domain.

Are you in this situation? I mean, using avast free in corporate environment?

[system]

so… how do i stop these popups? i get this a few times a week.
i also am put off by the fact that Avast is looking at the details of my domain. i didn’t agree to allow this program that access.

[system]

@oaomcg post:34

so… how do i stop these popups? i get this a few times a week.

They will stop on their own, this is a limited time thing.

@oaomcg post:34

Avast is looking at the details of my domain. i didn’t agree to allow this program that access.

Sure you did, you installed an active security program that scans your network.

[system]

@oaomcg post:34

so… how do i stop these popups? i get this a few times a week.

Reading back to page two you will find…

@MartinZ post:18

Hi all,

we will show this screen again few times this week. If you are running a home network, please just close the screen and accept our apologies. We haven’t found a better way how to target the business environment more precisely.

Thank you
Martin

I actually have NOT Seen the pop up anymore since the first time it has shown. Which confuses me. XD

@oaomcg post:34

i also am put off by the fact that Avast is looking at the details of my domain. i didn’t agree to allow this program that access.

Like Gargamel360 said, you did. Avast has shields that run constantly in the background unless you disable them. They pretty much look at everything on your PC. I could write a java program that looks at the domain someone is on if I wanted to while it ran. The difference is AVAST doesn’t collect that information and send it back, they just use it to trigger a window, client side.

Honestly, I feel having the pop up window is a relatively small price to pay for something that is provided to me free. And Avast works too. I understand you may not like that it does that, and you maybe don’t want them collecting information about your network, but you have to trust the company to use their product. If you can’t trust them, then don’t use Avast.

[system]

Thanks for clarifying this for us!

Unfortunately, my corporate life requires us to use that other virus protection package that begins with an M… :-X With that, I’m also licensed to use it on my home network, but choose to only run it on my servers. All Windows 7 boxes are running Avast! Free. Love the product and get everyone I know to switch.

Yes, that’s correct… I’m running multiple servers… and I’m running a number of Windows 7 systems. All of which are in AD. I’m not on some estate, but I do take full advantage of RSAT, Active Directory (thank you MSDN subscription), and VMware. Our photo, music, and movie libraries are all centralized, and SharePoint is what we use for our file shares and family planning/scheduling, amongst other things. To top that off, the kids can only log onto their systems under specific time restrictions, and have limitations on what they can do to their PCs and where they can surf. 8)

Basically, my home network is a test bed. The family are my guinea pigs. My wife has a PC and laptop, each of my kids have PCs, I have a PC and laptop (besides the work laptop that has that M product on it), and we have a couple of PCs that are dedicated Windows Media Center boxes attached to TVs. In addition, there’s a PC set up in the guest room and one in the kitchen. All are on the domain and all are centrally managed. All have Avast! Free. ;D … and yes… all have this message popping up. No biggy now!

[MartinZ]

to sniperfodder:

I actually have NOT Seen the pop up anymore since the first time it has shown. Which confuses me. XD

After the first launch we increased the limit for connected computers in domain to 5. So if you have home network with less than 5 PCs, you shouldn't see the popup anymore.

Martin

[system]

Interesting, are you viewing “Active” PC’s? Cause I have 6 or so PC’s joined to the domain, but only have 3 that have actually interacted with the domain in the past 6 months.

[system]

still getting this
i thought it was supposed to stop