This is what you get when you use free AV software. It might be a culture shock to some that a commercial firm is trying to incentivise its non-paying users to add to its revenue stream. That’s called being in business. I have never found Avast to behave improperly. I believe that the purpose of the free AV is to create goodwill and help promote the safety of personal home users on the Internet while being subsidised by business customers.

I certainly would not take umbrage against you gerrynz who has simply introduced your clients to the best free AV software available. I can think of no better AV. I have used it since version 4 and it has served me well. To switch to an alternative would be cutting off your nose to spite your face (as we say in the UK).

The obvious alternative in terms of popularity is actually a less effective resource hogging inelegant elephant of a thing.