Avast Internet Security and pup.optional.as... Virus Infection

Viruses and worms
1

A short while ago I logged onto my laptop and got a popup from Avast telling me that my Avast Internet Security had “Expired.”

I tried to reenter my license registration number but got a message that I am unable to insert the license number because it had expired.

Smelling a proverbial rat I ran my ever dependable malwarebytes Anti-Malware and discovered I had been infected earlier today with the following virus:

pup.optional.as…c//:windows/installer/43b204.msi

I suspect this virus has affected the performance of my Avast Internet Security which is now not working at all.

How may I fix this?

Thank you,

Lewis Lafontaine

2

PUP = not a virus / Possible Unwanted Programs
and malwarebytes pup detections are usually crapware like toolbars/adware … crap that comes bundled with other downloads

3

when should your license expire?
is your computer time / day / month / year correct ?

4

My Avast internet security expires in April 2014.

The date and time on my laptop are correct.

5

try avast repair option

controlpanel > ad/remove programs > avast > uninstall > repair option …wait a minute and reboot

any change?

6

When I click on the “Repair Option” I get the following message: “Error Processing Packages. Please use Full Update.”

I do not know what that means or what I am to do.

I did click on the “Update” option but it shows my Updates are current.

7

downlod and run update here. http://www.avast.com/download-update

any change?

8

When I tried to perform the http://www.avast.com/download-update I got the following message:

Error:

Avast! 4 is probably not yet installed or the installation is broken.
Download full install package and re-install, please.

Subsequently I was able to download a “Trial Version” of Avast.

Still need to get Avast Internet Security re-installed with license registration.

What to do next?

9

did you download the one marked (old product) version 4.8 ?
your to download the other one…

10

Initially I attempted to download the “new” version which did not work.

I then tried to download the “old” version which does not appear to have worked either.

Which version should I have downloaded? Should I try again?

Thank you

11

if it does not work i suggest you do a new clean install

follow instructions on website and remove avast with this. http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
download your version and install. http://www.avast.com/download-software

insert license. http://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB7

12

  1. I removed Avast using the Uninstall-Utility

  2. I downloaded my Avast Version

  3. How exactly do I insert the license when I get a message that the license has expired?

I sent an email requesting the license registration number but got an email back saying that my email address ( devin104@primelink1.net ) did not show up in Avast’s records as having ever made a valid purchase from Avast.

This is absolutely incorrect as Avast emailed me to this email address reminding me the time for my renewal was approaching as shown below:

Hello Lewis Lafontaine,

Thanks for using avast! Internet Security during the past year. We hope you’ve enjoyed worry-free protection of your online experiences, identity, and data. Smart folks like you have made avast! the world’s most widely used antivirus software.
Your software license will expire in one month, so here’s how to renew your protection in 3 simple steps:

What should I do now?

Thank you

13

contact avast sales http://www.avast.com/contacts