Avast Firefox Plugin issue since recent program update.

system · 2014-03-21T02:41:39.000Z

Recently updated Avast on both Windows 8 and Windows 7 to the latest release. Both computers running Firefox as the default browser have the issue where the Avast Online Security first launch page for the Firefox Plugin keeps appearing. Close the browser after closing the AOS tab, and the tab reloads. The only way to fix this is to disable the plugin. Now on both computers, if you run chrome and enable the Avast plugin, your shown the Avast Online Security page with the option to disable or enable features, but once you close that tab it doesn’t reopen when you launch the browser again. So there is seriously something wrong with the Firefox version of the Plugin. It gets to the point that multiple Avast Online Security tabs/pages load especially if a user doesn’t close those tabs. Checked this out both at my home, a friends house, and a clients house. This is brand new since the recent update.

DavidR · 2014-03-21T11:06:53.000Z

By recent, what version of avast do you have ?
The latest one, released yesterday is 9.0.2016 and that one’s AOS add-on is working fine on my firefox 28.0.

What do you mean by the AOS first launch page ?
Do you mean this (see images), AOS icon default location, AOS sidebar when you click the AOS icon, when you click the AOS settings (now it is a tab) ?

For me all of these open and close when they should.

system · 2014-03-21T11:41:46.000Z

I mean this page for the avast! Security Plugin plugin 9.0.2016.82. It constantly reopens even after closure of the webpage and browser. Meaning when you close Firefox, and open it later (after closing the webpage tab) it will reopen along with the users default homepage tab/webpage. It behaves perfectly in Chrome, but on multiple computers (8 separate systems now) I have updated or seen updated to yesterday’s update experience this issue on Firefox only. Disabling the plugin from within Firefox is the only way to prevent the aos.avast.com/upgrade/2006 from loading.

chris... · 2014-03-21T12:21:09.000Z

Hello,
certainly because your firefox settings doesn’t keep history and cookies.
It’s not a pleasure for me too , to have this web page each time I remove cookies.It starts only since v 9.0.2016
Allowed exception ? well , but I use few tools able to clean cookies …
Is it possible to use an other way than cookies for AOS ?

system · 2014-03-21T12:53:56.000Z

Same here. It opens everytime I start Firefox.

I believe chris05 is right. Look here: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=147820.0

To protect my privacy as best as possible (I know there is no 100%) my Firefox (Version 28.0) settings clear the complete browser history including cookies when I exit Firefox. I also have several Add-Ons like Adblock Plus, BetterPrivacy, Ghostery and NoScript installed. WOT too, which works fine next to AOS. Additionaly I regularly clean the browser history (again including cookies) using CCleaner (I do not touch the registry with CCleaner).

I have not found a way to exclude the AOS cookies from being cleaned. At the moment I prefer to keep it the way it is and live with the AOS tab coming up everytime I start Firefox. I find it easier to close one tab than to fiddle around in several Firefox and Add-On settings.

Still, it would be nice if the avast! team would come up with a solution to stop the tab from opening again even though one cleans the browser history and deletes cookies. Maybe with the next program version.

So far, the new avast! version seems to work great!

GaiusBaltar

System: Windows 8 64-bit, avast! Free Antivirus 2014.9.0.2016, Firefox 28.0 (and coming from Linux I actually like Windows 8)

system · 2014-03-21T13:10:04.000Z

Well I suppose people will just have to just “Never Remember History” under Privacy or “Remember History” without clearing the cookies upon exit - but if they do either with ccleaner, within firefox, or something later just have to deal with this page loading up. Thanks for the info everyone.

DavidR · 2014-03-21T13:22:27.000Z

Totenmaske post:3:

I mean this page for the avast! Security Plugin plugin 9.0.2016.82. It constantly reopens even after closure of the webpage and browser. Meaning when you close Firefox, and open it later (after closing the webpage tab) it will reopen along with the users default homepage tab/webpage. It behaves perfectly in Chrome, but on multiple computers (8 separate systems now) I have updated or seen updated to yesterday’s update experience this issue on Firefox only. Disabling the plugin from within Firefox is the only way to prevent the aos.avast.com/upgrade/2006 from loading.

For me that only opened once, when I enabled the AOS add-on after the avast update (I had it disabled before the update) and not again since (having closed that tab).

Whilst it might well have something to do with cookies, but that should only relate to a specific sites AOS settings. This shouldn’t mean the AOS add-on welcome screen (when first enabled) would always load.

Also the firefox History setting I would have though that would be more likely to stop opening it as the history isn’t remembered (when firefox is closed), so it should open with a single blank tab.

I don’t clear history when I close firefox, I use CookieMonster (CM) to manage cookies, in CM I have allowed cookies for avast.com, forum.avast.com. I also have some of my regular sites allowed in CM, otherwise by default only session cookies are allowed, which would be removed when firefox is closed.

I prefer to use CM to manage cookies rather than firefox as it is more customisable.

chris... · 2014-03-21T17:36:54.000Z

DavidR post:7:

For me that only opened once, when I enabled the AOS add-on after the avast update (I had it disabled before the update) and not again since (having closed that tab).

Hello,
for now , does your AOS add-on always enabled or disabled again?
For me , if I disable it , no more AOS tab when I open Firefox even after deleted cookies.

Do not use AOS is an other solution for this tab

DavidR · 2014-03-21T18:54:03.000Z

My AOS add-on is enabled and no AOS intro tab.

I suggest that you investigate the various cookie/history comments and see if there is one that may resolve it.

system · 2014-03-21T19:26:49.000Z

Set Firefox to accept cookies from sites but never accept third party cookies, and stop clearing your cookies. That’s all the cookie security you need.

chris... · 2014-03-21T21:52:39.000Z

DavidR post:9:

My AOS add-on is enabled and no AOS intro tab.

I suggest that you investigate the various cookie/history comments and see if there is one that may resolve it.

Oups , I did not fully read what you said especially:

in CM I have allowed cookies for avast.com, forum.avast.com

sorry

system · 2014-03-26T19:36:45.000Z

I agree with those who would prefer an addon from avast! that didn’t require us to maintain a cookie for the addon inside the browser itself. I mean, this isn’t a site that we’re trying to retain settings for - it’s just an addon/extension for the bowser, which is installed by software that already has full access in the operating system. Why should I have to turn off Private Browsing Mode or use a 3rd party cookie managing addon/extension to retain this one cookie, when the application could easily retain the information using the numerous other storage options that exist with its level of access. It could have the settings for the browser-specific addons in the existing avast! UI (which already has the page for enabling the per-browser extensions), or it could keep the settings in the Add-ons Manager tab which has been part of Firefox for… years?

Seriously, all the comments about cookie management are missing the point for the simple fact that the avast! developers are not some silly know-nothing kids who don’t know any better. They’re experienced developers who are fighting the black-hat world in exchange for a little profit. That being said, they don’t need us to make excuses for them and work-arounds in a situation like this (talking about the usage of browser cookies to store persistent data - what is this, the 90’s?). Say it plainly. “I’d like an addon that doesn’t make me give up my existing and beloved settings”. From there, they’ll either indulge you or they won’t. But let’s not pretend that there are no other options on their end.

system · 2014-03-27T06:38:44.000Z

Type “about:config” in address bar

promise to be careful

scroll down to “browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID;20140314220517”. Right click on it and select “reset”.

scroll down one below to “browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone;28.0” and do the same thing.

Close then reopen Firefox. You’ll see 2 tabs appear the 1st time, but that should be it…

When you reset these strings, you will need to modify your preferences again within Firefox (such as your homepage).

system · 2014-04-03T18:45:51.000Z

kennyJT post:13:

Type “about:config” in address bar

promise to be careful

scroll down to “browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID;20140314220517”. Right click on it and select “reset”.

scroll down one below to “browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone;28.0” and do the same thing.

Close then reopen Firefox. You’ll see 2 tabs appear the 1st time, but that should be it…

When you reset these strings, you will need to modify your preferences again within Firefox (such as your homepage).

This did not work. Again, Private Browsing.

system · 2014-04-03T23:10:21.000Z

I have little doubt that some will take offense at this, but here goes anyway:-

IMHO, if you’re going to be paranoid about cookies you have to be prepared to accept some consequences. For some time (years) now I have allowed site cookies in Firefox, but rejected third-party cookies. I don’t get spammed. I don’t get phished. Adblock Plus handles most ads. Very occasionally SuperAntiSpyware (IMHO the most aggressive cookie hunter out there) deletes a couple of doubtful cookies. MalwareBytes and Emsisoft never find any. I run full scans with all three of them in rotation every second night. Benefit:- I don’t have to log in every time I visit the several forums and news sites I visit.

But of course I have also disabled AOS, so I don’t have this particular issue anyway. Avast have simply tried to pack too much into it.

DavidR · 2014-04-04T13:16:58.000Z

@ Paul_D
MalwareBytes won’t find any cookies because it isn’t looking for them.

Cookies really aren’t a big deal, just deny 3rd party cookies and the so called tracking cookies aren’t getting a look in and SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) is unlikely to find much in the way of cookies. I always disabled SAS from even looking for cookies, I eventually removed SAS Pro as cookies were the only thing that it was finding. Having stopped SAS from even looking for cookies, it seemed a little pointless having it installed.

system · 2014-04-04T16:54:31.000Z

DavidR post:16:

@ Paul_D
Cookies really aren’t a big deal, just deny 3rd party cookies and the so called tracking cookies aren’t getting a look in and SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) is unlikely to find much in the way of cookies. I always disabled SAS from even looking for cookies, I eventually removed SAS Pro as cookies were the only thing that it was finding. Having stopped SAS from even looking for cookies, it seemed a little pointless having it installed.

Agreed. Absolutely. That was my point.

robertg106 · 2014-04-05T15:32:52.000Z

DavidR post:16:

Cookies really aren’t a big deal, just deny 3rd party cookies and the so called tracking cookies aren’t getting a look in

I’m getting sorts of problems initially described in this thread too after the latest (free) program update, with a popup proclaiming a Browser add on is a problem. Clicking the button to clean, but runs for ages before it freezes, becoming unresponsive. Being unable to stop it, restarting the PC takes several goes after that. Then it settles. It did the same today after the update yesterday.

Regarding cookie settings in Firefox, I have always had accept third party cookies enabled. Not really sure what having them disabled will do, or not do, or is the halfway house of visited best? So many sites ask you to accept cookies now and some rely on them (Quidco).

system · 2014-04-05T16:38:40.000Z

rob24 post:18:

DavidR post:16:

Cookies really aren’t a big deal, just deny 3rd party cookies and the so called tracking cookies aren’t getting a look in

I’m getting sorts of problems initially described in this thread too after the latest (free) program update, with a popup proclaiming a Browser add on is a problem. Clicking the button to clean, but runs for ages before it freezes, becoming unresponsive. Being unable to stop it, restarting the PC takes several goes after that. Then it settles. It did the same today after the update yesterday.

Regarding cookie settings in Firefox, I have always had accept third party cookies enabled. Not really sure what having them disabled will do, or not do, or is the halfway house of visited best? So many sites ask you to accept cookies now and some rely on them (Quidco).

Third party cookies are what the name implies - cookies from sites other than the one you are visiting. If a site you are visiting relies on a third party cookie for anything it is acting unconscionably and is not worth visiting. Stop accepting them for a bit and see what effect it has on your browsing. The world will not come to an end…

But having said all that, the answer to your particular problem is to deactivate AOS. It’s simply more trouble than it is worth.

DavidR · 2014-04-05T17:03:39.000Z

rob24 post:18:

Regarding cookie settings in Firefox, I have always had accept third party cookies enabled. Not really sure what having them disabled will do, or not do, or is the halfway house of visited best? So many sites ask you to accept cookies now and some rely on them (Quidco).

Essentially 3rd party cookies can track your movements/activity across many sites. Hence the name tracking cookies.

I would still disable them, even if a particular function requires 3rd party cookie use and instead make exceptions for cookies for Quidco, etc. rather than allow everything.

Unfortunately the firefox cookie options are pretty poor, with very little flexibility/configuration; this is why I use the CookieMonster add-on for firefox as it gives you far greater flexibility/configuration, see my Reply #6 of this topic.

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