how did my brand new laptop “catch” tons of malware with my Avast Security Suite running and get told by calling avast I need to pay $200 to get help fixing it?
I think I fixed it…thanks to all who tried to help!
No security program have 100% detection, but we need more info here…
What malware names was given?
If you mean tracking cookies or PUP, this is not malware.
Avast does not detect tracing cookies and PUP detection is default off exept for in boot scan
What detected these malwares since you know you have them?
Who told you to call avast?
If you need removal help, it is free here in the forum.
Just follow instructions and attach requested logs https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
Sounds like you called the 3rd party support and they are trying to sell you a bill of goods,
If you’ve recently done a full scan and nothing was found, I’d disregard their sales pitch and report it as a scam.
Send your report to Adam Riley (riley at avast.com)
Follow the advice you received from Pondus and post the requested logs for a Malware Expert to confirm my suspicions.
Somewhat (or more than a little) off-topic – the reply to this should probably deserve one or more stickies:
We’ve had so many reported problems with 3rd-party phone “service” operations over the years that I can’t help but wonder. Have any of them proven to be actually consistently reliable and legitimate? I agree, obviously, that here in the forums is by far the best starting point for support, but I can see where proper phone support could be quite useful in some cases.
(Edit, afterthought) I’d be curious to see any comments from Adam Riley on this subject.
Are you sure they are true viruses? Or junk programs or Pup’s?
Name of the infections found? More info would be great.