So I installed Avast on my laptop. I click register, and nothing happens.
I uninstalled and installed Avast again. Same problem.
http://i.imgur.com/xY77TJF.png
this box then disappears
what AV did you use before installing avast?
have you removed it according to vendors instructions? http://www.avast.com/en-eu/faq.php?article=AVKB11#artTitle
any other security programs / firewall installed?
There was a time a while back when it would do exactly what you’re seeing if you had a 3rd party hosts file that blocks parasite websites.
If you have replaced or augmented hosts, try renaming it briefly out of service, running the registration, then putting it back in place.
It’s a bit disturbing that Avast seems to need to talk to a site that MVPS has deemed a “parasite”, but I’ve not seen any harm come of registering Avast.
-Noel
thanks, renaming the hosts file did the trick!
Avast must be having a good laugh at people using it’s software.
If you have to disable the hosts file just to install their software, then something is not right at Avast. It would suggest Avast is more spyware than antivirus.
Did you notice Avast attempts to send a hardware key and the windows system name to a hostname at program.avast.com during the uninstall process. You might want to add that hostname into the hosts file too and point it to 127.0.0.1.
The safest way to use Avast is to firewall it. Don’t let it connect out at all.
If you have to disable the hosts file just to install their software, then something is not right at Avast. It would suggest Avast is more spyware than antivirus.
There’s a fair bit of context needed for that statement, but I do understand what you mean.
While it certainly does seem like Avast is getting to look more like adware/spyware, could a legitimate use for tracking technology exist? Or might it be that those who create certain hosts files to block parasite web sites hold a low regard for Avast? Nothing says those lists are perfect.
And there is no question we get value from the core functionality of the product. It’s not clear all of what we’re giving in return.
It’s just not a simple thing.
-Noel
Then what, don’t get any virus database updates? Doesn’t seem useful.
-Noel
how often is that updated, and what about stream updates that comes in evry 3-15 min…
why install a program at all if you dont trust it to connect to internet. :
Do you need streaming updates every 3-15 mins?
You trust avast! :o
For improved detection… YES
Statistic http://www.av-test.org/en/statistics/malware/
20% of all malware ever created appeared in 2013
http://press.pandasecurity.com/news/20-of-all-malware-ever-created-appeared-in-2013/
So you trust avast for it’s improved detection. But can you trust avast itself?
When it connects out, what data is it sending? Why does it still attempt to connect out, even when all the settings on the Update tab are carefully set to disabled?
Why does avast refuse to use https for downloads and outgoing connections?
Why does avast need a unique hardware key and windows machine name to be sent to avast?
Why is there a tiny check box hiding in the corner to install Chrome during installation?
The simple solution to this is,if you don’t like avast,don’t use it.
@jagdwurst as said above … if you dont trust a program, dont install it
Various information is transmitted, for a number of good reasons…
does your antivirus track you?
pdf.doc http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/avc_datasending_2014_en.pdf
Back to the topic:
There was a bug with the servers that did not let avast! free register for a year.
It was mainly affected for offline registration but some servers with not working with the UI.
If you try to register now, it should work fine.
Regarding your other questions, you can opt-out of the community and streaming features through the settings.
You make very good points, Jagdwurst - points that shouldn’t be suppressed.
But it does come down to exactly that: Trust.
Do I trust Avast, configured as I have it, to provide me more value than risk? Being that I’ve been running it since some time in the early 2000s, and have had very good experience with it, and even now (though what you say is happening) It works and I’m not having any ongoing problems with it, I’d have to say yes. The value vs. risk proposition seems favorable. But it’s a decision made knowing the risks and I keep my eyes open.
Don’t look now, but we’re all trusting Microsoft, and they seem all the less worthy of it every day. Are we getting more value than the risk is worth? Apparently so.
Same thing plays out with any number of other system tools.
Nothing is black and white.
-Noel