I have disabled program auto updates, and here's why

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Every time I see that AVAST has updated the application, I get the “click here to finish” button.

Thankfully, I don’t just automatically click it. That’s what AVAST and their contractual partners want. For you to click past the part where there are checkboxes (defaulted to CHECKED) that will download and install Google Chrome to your system, and install the Google Toolbar.

This is deceptive and predatory. And it’s bullshit. Chrome is an okay browser. It could be better, but Google keeps taking away user control, bit by bit, every update. As far as the toolbar - it’s malware, just like every other toolbar.

It is despicable that any company would do this. But, AVAST isn’t alone - SUN does it with JAVA updates, just for one example. This doesn’t make it okay. It’s still invasive, still deceptive, still predatory (counting on the millions of users who don’t bother looking before clicking the FINISH button), and still NOT OKAY.

Now here comes the part where other users, here, (many of whom are employed by AVAST) tell me that it’s a small price to pay for having free anti-virus.

NO, IT’S NOT. Don’t get me wrong - the people who spend their time creating antivirus apps should be reasonably compensated for their time and skills, yes. But if any company were actually serious about ridding the world of computer viruses (virii?) would do it for free. But counting on users to not see the “hey, download and install THESE useless apps, too” checkboxes is… (drumroll, please)… WRONG!!! The key word being DECEPTIVE.

SO, my search for a decent anti-virus app starts yet again, because I’m not putting up with this bullshit, again. Meanwhile, program auto updates will be disabled, so I don’t have to see this bullshit, any more.

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Thankfully, I don't just automatically click it. That's what AVAST and their contractual partners want.
It is needed to make all changes effective. That is how Windows works. If you don't like it, go complain at MS.
Now here comes the part where other users, here, (many of whom are employed by AVAST) tell me that it's a small price to pay for having free anti-virus.
You are completely wrong. The users are not employed by avast. Members on this webboard who are have "avast team" near their name.
But if any company were actually serious about ridding the world of computer viruses (virii?) would do it for free.
And you are gonna take care of them and their families? House, food, health-care etc...

In the many years that I am using avast nothing was ever installed without my permission and/or if I didn’t wanted it.

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My recommendation has always been to do a custom install regardless of the program you’re installing.
Doing so, gives you the opportunity to pick and choose.
You also don’t need to update the program from within Avast. You can download the installation file and manually do the installation.
Unfortunately most people think that’s too much trouble.
It’s easier to complain after the fact. :slight_smile:
It’s also quite easy, if you didn’t do a custom install, to remove the unwanted items after the default install. :slight_smile:

4

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It is needed to make all changes effective. That is how Windows works. If you don’t like it, go complain at MS.

Wait… you’re saying that installing Chrome and the Google toolbar are “needed to make all changes effective”? Or did you just scan (without actually reading) my post? Because I was complaining about how Avast hopes that people don’t see the default-checked “install these other things, too” when they click on the “finish” button. The checkboxes are on the left, the “finish” button on the right. People automatically focus on the completion button, it’s human nature. Avast is exploiting that nature. That’s what I was complaining about.

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–Now here comes the part where other users, here, (many of whom are employed by AVAST) tell me that it’s a small price to pay for having free anti-virus.

You are completely wrong. The users are not employed by avast.
Members on this webboard who are have “avast team” near their name.

Again, I think you didn’t actually read what I wrote, opting to just scan some of it and pick out the parts that you want to read (hear). I did not say “the users” implying all users; I said “many”, expressly indicating NOT all.

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And you are gonna take care of them and their families? House, food, health-care etc…

Hey, if they want to advertise (in a non-intrusive way), I have zero problem with that. If they want to use a pop-up, as long as it can be immediately closed and does not interfere with normal computer operation, it’ll be annoying but I can deal with it.

But, again, to prey on human nature of people wanting to finish an install/update (quickly) by hiding options on the other side of the dialogue window from where the FINISH button is, that is deceptive and predatory.

Prove my assertion incorrect, please. Use numbers.

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Not everyone has the same thoughts on installs; most take the “recommended” settings, because there is an element of trust. Avast is including Chrome and Google toolbar as part of the “recommended” settings. They are superfluous to the operation of Avast. They are included, I’m assuming, because of a contractual agreement with Google, and it is assumed that people will NOT install it if they see it. This is predatory. And deceptive.

As far as manually doing the installation, yes, your statement is correct. Again, most people who have computers and use the internet are not PC support technicians and don’t know about that option, or are intimidated by the notion of doing such a maneuver. Again, Avast is counting on that. Do you really want to be an acolyte for a company that has ethically questionable practices with their flagship software?

And the only reason I’m complaining about it “after the fact” is because none of this was on the radar until AFTER I did the install. Had I known, in advance, I would have downloaded an A/V app that isn’t Avast. Might still.

And your quip about how easy it is to uninstall crap after the fact is ridiculous when you consider that the crap shouldn’t have been included in the first place.

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You obviously didn’t come here for help or for an explanation but for a place to voice your complaints.
You’ve accomplished that task. have a great day, fix your problems from the answers given and enjoy Avast’s protection
changed to your standards and likes.

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I always do custom program installs/updates on anything and everything, including Windows updates and Avast. Nothing automatic for me. I am far from a tech person, but learned a long ago that doing automatic program updates, as well as not reading every word in the updating process can cause major problems. Doesn’t always do that by a long shot, but it can. And even if the program I’m updating or installing creates a restore point before doing its thing (some do; some don’t), I create my own restore point prior to any update or install.

I don’t like stuff added in that I have to uncheck if I don’t want it (rather than checking it if I do), but I figure it’s par for the course for almost everything these days so it doesn’t really bother me anymore.

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Adding Unchecky to your arsenal of keeping crap from your system is also a good move. :slight_smile:

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recommended install option for element of trust?
You made me laugh mate.
People do that because they are lazy.
Custom installation just frustated thing for some user, because user must understand each component means that their going to install.
for example, if you just want word and excel for microsoft office did you choose to do “recommended” installation or “customs” installation?

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Using a custom install doesn’t mean that the end result may not still be the same as the default install.
The difference is that when you use custom, you get to see what’s being installed and were it’s being installed.
Making changes is your choice It’s no longer a blind installation.