I remember a few months back, Chrome would not open when you clicked on it. This was due to a new update by Avast.
Anyhow, I stopped using it. Supposedly according to the community, the only solution was to uninstall Avast and do a fresh install. So, I booted into safemode and used avast clear to get rid of everything. As expected, Chrome would work without Avast present on the PC.
Lo and behold, once I re-installed Avast (latest edition), Chrome would not boot up. I tested everything I could think of. Even disabling the self-defense module and killing Avast would not solve the problem. Clearly, the problem lies in a driver installed by Avast - or so, I assume this would be the problem.
I never see anyone on this board recommending this option, but how about installing Avast2014 at least for now?
I’m using version 2014 and don’t have this issue with Chrome, I personally don’t really use Chrome much myself except in the case that a site isn’t keeping update for FF or IE at which time I will and when I have I know Chrome works with no problem using Avast2014.
Of course once this issue is reportedly resolved you can always go back to Avast2015 at that time if you like. I’m not sure why some users don’t consider this until their specific persistent issues get resolved (which will get reported) with the current Avast release. :o
Anyway, just an obvious idea I thought I’d put out there for you.
I don’t recall that avast ever prevented Chrome from running on the same system. It’s the main browser for many developers here, I guess I would definitely notice
Can you please remind me some threads where this was discussed so that we can get more details? Thanks a lot.
Lukas.
We just started having this problem too. A message popped up saying there was some kind of a program that has a bad reputation. Would you like to remove it? My husband said yes. Now, Chrome is not working. I’m going to turn it off and reload Chrome.
@ lukor,
Sounds like an old version of avast and AOS changing the default browser ???
Hopefully everyone is using the latest version of avast. If not, update.
To all,
I noticed a increase of infections where the malware changed Chrome into a “developer version”.
That can ofcourse causing all kinds of problems.
For a check-up please follow the instructions in : https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
@lakrsrool. I don’t know where to find an official link for that download and their site is down as luck would have it. To be honest, I was using Avast 8 and was perfectly fine with it (as I hate version 9+). At some point, they forced the install (even though my option was set not to update automatically).
@dprout69, indeed it does!
@lukor. I wish I could. The one I was specifically thinking about, I cannot find. Not sure if it was deleted or what not. But, I do recall many people having that same problem though. Unless it was on a sister Avast site? That may be it.
@Eddy, I don’t actively use Chrome. I personally hate it, but as a developer I still need access to it. For now, not so much (as I mostly do layout & design work for the moment). I am pretty sure I am not infected. I am pretty heavy on security.
First of all I do not actively use Chrome at all either and I like you hate it as well. But again as you say, I am sometimes forced to use it for various reasons, but in the end I use the Chrome browser hardly ever.
As to your question to me directly, there are many sites that provide older downloads, here are just a few (I would recommend the top one if it provides the version you’re interested in but I’ve provided others as well. I would personally recommend not going back further than Avast2014 and I would add that I can personally attest to the fact that this version works very well for me):
FileHipp.com — directed specifically to Avast (select the version of your choice): Avast versions to the right
Btw, I was using an older Avast and even though I also had Avast set to not provide any automatic application upgrades I was upgraded to Avast2014 last year. I certainly hope that the setting to not upgrade Avast will hold because I do NOT want to upgrade beyond Avast2014 for many reasons (as I stated above however, I have basically no complaints with version 2014 as far as performance is concerned, hence would recommend this version if you so choose to go back to a version prior to the current 2015 version of Avast in an attempt to resolve your issue minimally for the time being).
IF YOU DO INSTALL A PRIOR VERSION OF YOUR CHOICE, THEN BE SURE AND POST BACK AS TO THE RESULTS. Your results, assuming the issue is resolved, would suggest that the issue may in fact be directly related to the current Avast version.
Same thing happens with IE11 from time to time. I was wondering what was causing it. It doesnt happen nearly as severely as what it sounds like happens to you, but doesnt appear to be limited to one browse type…
I am currently downloading one of them. Personally, I do not trust websites like File Hippo, but seems like the only one to have it. The question I always wondered - who uploads the AV’s? Legitimate sources, or can anyone just upload them?
mades, to be sure and avoid any potential problems it is imperative that you be sure and use this utility prior to installing the new version: Uninstall our software using avastclear. And again, I can attest to the fact that Avast! Free Antivirus 9.0.2021 works very well for me with none of the issues so commonly discussed on the forum regarding the new Avast2015 version.
Download Avast Uninstall Utility to your Desktop.
After Downloading the version of Avast you want
Disconnect from the net
Uninstall Avast via control panel
[]Run the uninstall tool and accept the reboot to safe mode
[]Once complete reboot your system
[*]Reinstall Avast
You should not use outdated versions of programs especially browsers and Adobe/Java.
Using outdated versions leaves you open to vulnerabilities and exploits that the application may have fixed in a newer version. It’s very easy for your system to be compromised that way.
It’s best to resolve the issue on the current version rather than using an old(er) version.
IE11 will work about 99% of the time, but from time to time it flukes. I don’t use Chrome but what you described sounded like the same issue that’s why I knew your Chrome would still be running in task manager.
Obviously the narrative that you’ve both expressed is the “ideal”. That said, I’m now retired but still involved in some minimal software production at times. Through the many years dealing with software I’ve had completely up to date AV application with automatic VPS updates fail me. On the other hand for reasons related to work it has been necessary to at times use older versions of software as well including AV protection that work in the event current applications do not. You might note that in the case of mades it becomes necessary for software to work properly because as it happens mades has stated in a previous post in this thread as “a developer I still need access to it”.
Again, your points are without a doubt solid advise, but you must know that there are always exceptions to the case. The fact is I’ve been infected with current software and on the other hand ironically I can state unconditionally that I have NEVER been infected from older security software that I’ve used in the past or currently for that matter. You can say, well maybe I’m lucky or whatever, the point being nothing is completely safe as we all know and for reasons of expediency in regards to personal requirements that some may have unique to their situation it can be necessary at times to actually use older security software from time to time. Again, is it advisable? Absolutely not from a “security” standpoint, can it be necessary from a practical standpoint unique to the persons circumstances absolutely it can. We do what we have to do sometimes based on need and the fact is “risk” is always present at all times in whatever we do.
The world is just not black and white all the time folks. I’d have to think that most people are totally aware of your admonitions, but their appreciated nonetheless.
It isn’t the outdated software that will infect you but, it’s inability to offer the latest technology.
One of the main reasons Windows discontinued support for XP.
It’s a matter of semantics as to the point your making. To rephrase your point, yes it IS as a matter of fact the result of the “outdated software” because of the perceived lack of a more current technology that the risk of infection may be arguably greater. As to outdated software in the case of an OS, alternative arguments can be made that it is either/both arguably no longer reasonably conceivable to support the older technology and/or it is to the software manufacturers advantage to make it more “beneficial” to the user to upgrade for many obvious reasons not the least of which is revenue.
There is a concept to consider here as well for those who profess the absolute necessity to maintain software at the very “cusp of technology”. The fact is just released “state of the art” technology that has not been well “vetted” so to speak for very long within community of technology users, especially in the case of beta version releases can obviously at times have inherent elements of risk in the area of security holes on the basis of unintended consequences in relation to how recent the release might happen to be as opposed to on the other hand “tried and true” software so to speak that has passed the test of time.
As I see it, in regards to AV protection the critical aspect is to always stay up to date regarding the most recent virus signature data base obviously. As to the AV engine so to speak, yes this in this case as well it is “ideally” best to keep up to date especially as it relates to heuristic and behavioral detection but still far less important than the signature data base that identifies specific known viruses directly. So while the risk of unintended security holes in “state of the art” security applications is admittedly very low, the potential for this to occur still exists as it relates to many various tangential factors albeit to a relatively limited degree, hence no matter what the user does the ability to eliminate ALL risk is inherently futile as a consequence of the very nature of technology.
