NEW Version: 19.7 (July/August 2019)

[slavo.benko]

Hello, please do welcome Avast version 19.7
(19.7.2388)

What’s exciting here that we have officially launched the new Antivirus portfolio, effectively sun-setting Pro, Internet Security, and Premier while replacing it with Premium Security. In a nutshell, this means that from now on, all paid AV features are available to all AV customers (yey!) and there are no more paid AV tiers. And we have this in Single and Multi-Device flavors. Multi-Device subscription is supporting platforms: Win, Mac OS, iOS and Android.

Of course, in reality, it is a bit more complicated than that - users would be migrated in waves during several upcoming weeks - but we’re getting closer to a neat and tidy AV portfolio.

The whole license migration matrix is a beast, but these examples should cover the majority of cases:

• Avast Premier users (all seat variants) → Avast Premium Security Multi-Device
• Avast Internet Security 1 Seat → Avast Premium Security
• Avast Internet Security 3+ Seats → Avast Premium Security Multi-Device
• Avast Pro 1 Seat → Avast Premium Security
• Avast Pro 3+ Seats → Avast Premium Security Multi-device

If you want to check the status of your license, head to My Subscriptions and check your subscription (for multi-device variants, this word needs to be mentioned specifically in the subscription name - if it is not, it means it was not yet migrated).

We aim to support new program versions of IS and PRO for several upcoming months - we would stop releasing new versions sometimes in early 2020.

Hope you do welcome this change as we do.

Some of the other features/fixes in this release:

• We can now automatically shut down your PC after a Full, Targeted, or Custom scan
• Quick Scans can now be added to your custom scans and scheduled for any time you’d like
• Added an option to Enable/Disable QUIC scanning in Settings
• Separating consents for Google Analytics and Jumpshot tracking in Settings
• Fixed issue in explorer scan where toaster was displayed just on the first occasion
• Fixed memory leak in aswStm.sys driver
• Fixed not working mail messages in Mozilla Thunderbird
• Fix of occasional blocking of MS Windows 10 update by self-defense
• Fix of problems with nested virtualization (VBox/VMware)Affected Products and Release Date

How to install:

1. Update from your existing Avast version via Settings → Update → Update program

2. Or you can download and install from here:

Online installers (recommended):

• Free: https://bits.avcdn.net/insttype_FREE
• Internet Security: https://bits.avcdn.net/insttype_IS
• Premier: https://bits.avcdn.net/insttype_APR

(For Premium Security, just use Premier URLs for now - later on, we would amend these.)

Offline installers:

• Free: http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
• Internet Security: http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup_offline.exe
• Premier: http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_offline.exe

We hope you enjoy the new version!
AVAST Team

[rocksteady]

These two threads offer a commentary on 19.7 update before @benko issued this one:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=228892.0
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=228905.0

[Rundvleeskroket]

A new checkbox has been added: “Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis of product performance and usage”.

It is checked by default. This is shady.

The submenu where this checkbox, and others (also checked by default) are found has been renamed from “Personal Privacy” to “Data settings”.

This is extra shady.

Why is Avast actively trying to obfuscate privacy settings from Avast Free users? This behavior erodes trust.

[Asyn]

[s]Not fixed: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=228405.msg1512901#msg1512901[/s]

Edit: All fixed now. Cheers

---

[rocksteady]

@benko post:1

Some of the other features/fixes in this release:

• We can now automatically shut down your PC after a Full, Targeted, or Custom scan
• Quick Scans can now be added to your custom scans and scheduled for any time you’d like
• Added an option to Enable/Disable QUIC scanning in Settings
• Separating consents for Google Analytics and Jumpshot tracking in Settings
• Fixed issue in explorer scan where toaster was displayed just on the first occasion
• Fixed memory leak in aswStm.sys driver
• Fixed not working mail messages in Mozilla Thunderbird
• Fix of occasional blocking of MS Windows 10 update by self-defense
• Fix of problems with nested virtualization (VBox/VMware)Affected Products and Release Date

@Rundvleeskroket
I assume it relates to item I have set bold in the list above.
Indeed it was set by default on my settings after the update, which is sneaky.
Also is not described in “Learn more…”.
I previously posted about it here, which I fear may now get lost in the noise.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=228892.msg1515887#msg1515887

[MuuGi]

Can’t update, it just runs for a minute saying installing the update, after that red text ‘Something went wrong and the update failed. Try again.’ Currently having v. 19.6.2383 - 19.6.4546.517.

But that’s it it can’t update how many times you try. Also trying to update virus db takes like half hour and won’t finish.

[Rundvleeskroket]

@rocksteady post:5

@Rundvleeskroket
I assume it relates to item I have set bold in the list above.
Indeed it was set by default on my settings after the update, which is sneaky.

Since I had the previous checkboxes unchecked, a separation of one of those checkboxes into two new ones should never be able to result in a checked checkbox.

Avast, please explain yourselves!

[Pako7]

@MuuGi post:6

Can’t update, it just runs for a minute saying installing the update, after that red text ‘Something went wrong and the update failed. Try again.’ Currently having v. 19.6.2383 - 19.6.4546.517.

But that’s it it can’t update how many times you try. Also trying to update virus db takes like half hour and won’t finish.

Have you tried using the above links not updating by UI?

[NON]

Thanks for the new release

[DavidR]

@benko post:1

Hello, please do welcome Avast version 19.7
(19.7.2388)

What’s exciting here that we have officially launched the new Antivirus portfolio, effectively sun-setting Pro, Internet Security, and Premier while replacing it with Premium Security.

In a nutshell, this means that from now on, all paid AV features are available to all AV customers (yey!) and there are no more paid AV tiers. And we have this in Single and Multi-Device flavors. Multi-Device subscription is supporting platforms: Win, Mac OS, iOS and Android.

Hope you do welcome this change as we do.

We hope you enjoy the new version!
AVAST Team

You haven’t mentioned Avast Ultimate, see https://www.avast.com/compare-antivirus, so not all “paid AV features are available to all AV customers.”

Or am I confused ?

[MuuGi]

@Pako7 post:8

Have you tried using the above links not updating by UI?

Not yet. Never tried that before, for years I have updated through the UI. Guess I’m gonna wait avast to fix their program.

[NON]

@DavidR post:10

@benko post:1

Hello, please do welcome Avast version 19.7
(19.7.2388)

What’s exciting here that we have officially launched the new Antivirus portfolio, effectively sun-setting Pro, Internet Security, and Premier while replacing it with Premium Security.

In a nutshell, this means that from now on, all paid AV features are available to all AV customers (yey!) and there are no more paid AV tiers. And we have this in Single and Multi-Device flavors. Multi-Device subscription is supporting platforms: Win, Mac OS, iOS and Android.

Hope you do welcome this change as we do.

We hope you enjoy the new version!
AVAST Team

You haven’t mentioned Avast Ultimate, see https://www.avast.com/compare-antivirus, so not all “paid AV features are available to all AV customers.”

Or am I confused ?

I believe Ultimate is just a bundle of other paid products. As an Antivirus, Premier is the highest tier.

[bob3160]

@Rundvleeskroket post:3

A new checkbox has been added: “Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis of product performance and usage”.

It is checked by default. This is shady.

The submenu where this checkbox, and others (also checked by default) are found has been renamed from “Personal Privacy” to “Data settings”.

This is extra shady.

Why is Avast actively trying to obfuscate privacy settings from Avast Free users? This behavior erodes trust.

Still looks like Personal Privacy to me?

https://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1565956368650-62574.png

[Asyn]

@NON post:12

@DavidR post:10

@benko post:1

Hello, please do welcome Avast version 19.7
(19.7.2388)

What’s exciting here that we have officially launched the new Antivirus portfolio, effectively sun-setting Pro, Internet Security, and Premier while replacing it with Premium Security.

In a nutshell, this means that from now on, all paid AV features are available to all AV customers (yey!) and there are no more paid AV tiers. And we have this in Single and Multi-Device flavors. Multi-Device subscription is supporting platforms: Win, Mac OS, iOS and Android.

Hope you do welcome this change as we do.

We hope you enjoy the new version!
AVAST Team

You haven’t mentioned Avast Ultimate, see https://www.avast.com/compare-antivirus, so not all “paid AV features are available to all AV customers.”

Or am I confused ?

I believe Ultimate is just a bundle of other paid products. As an Antivirus, Premier is the highest tier.

That’s correct, Ultimate is a license bundle.

[slavo.benko]

@Rundvleeskroket post:3

A new checkbox has been added: “Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis of product performance and usage”.
It is checked by default. This is shady.
The submenu where this checkbox, and others (also checked by default) are found has been renamed from “Personal Privacy” to “Data settings”.
This is extra shady.
Why is Avast actively trying to obfuscate privacy settings from Avast Free users? This behavior erodes trust.

Hi, allow me to explain the data consents as it seems to be bothering some of you.

It is indeed a separation of the consent, not fabricating a new one that was previously not there.

The checkbox of sharing the data with 3rd party in older version covered both:

• sharing to the external analytical tool (such as Google Analytics) that we use solely for our own purposes - observing how users navigate through the app, how often do they open UI, bug reports, etc.
• sharing anonymised and aggregated data with other companies for business and trend analysis (so sharing data with Jumpshot).

To allow for more flexibility and transparency in user choices, we have now separated both consents while absolutely respecting the choice that the user has done in the past regarding the Jumpshot data sharing (now called Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis and trends, business and marketing). If you chose to not share this with us in the past as the part of the aggregated consent, we are keeping the checkbox off. There’s nothing unfair about it.

We decided to put the GA tracking checkbox (now called Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis of product performance and usage) as checked by default as that is the norm and standard in the online world. We do not consider this a sneaky action. The absolute majority of users have never ever tempered with these settings so it is not like we are trying to fool them and shadily flip them to our desired setup. It’s industry standard to have GA (and such) tracking in opt-out mode.

We are not trying to hide it, on contrary, as you can see - we are actually listing this in the release notes here on the forum so we are making you guys aware. What more - there are additional data-consent flows being created in the app, that we would introduce soon, along with making Jumpshot consent as opt-in.

It is true that the Personal Privacy section in the Help part of the UI was not yet updated, sorry for that - this would happen soon. Avast privacy policy covers all this at depth and is well updated - https://www.avast.com/privacy-policy.

[slavo.benko]

@DavidR post:10

You haven’t mentioned Avast Ultimate, see https://www.avast.com/compare-antivirus, so not all “paid AV features are available to all AV customers.”
Or am I confused ?

Avast Ultimate is a bundle of several Avast products - it offers the highest tier of AV=antivirus (of which Premier was the best up until now, now replaced by Premium Security) along with Avast Cleanup, Avast SecureLine VPN and Avast Passwords. These are not AV features, they are standalone products. We are discontinuing tiering of AV products - you either have free AV or paid AV, simple as that. Of course, other standalone programs will be kept for the future as they are not part of a paid antivirus.

[Rundvleeskroket]

@benko post:15

We decided to put the GA tracking checkbox (now called Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis of product performance and usage) as checked by default as that is the norm and standard in the online world. We do not consider this a sneaky action. The absolute majority of users have never ever tempered with these settings so it is not like we are trying to fool them and shadily flip them to our desired setup. It’s industry standard to have GA (and such) tracking in opt-out mode.

You do realise that “everybody does it” is an extremely weak argument? If everybody jumps off a bridge, etc…

Avast boasts about being the right software to keep users safe and secure, in a myriad of ways. To then be so lax with their privacy is shameful! Nothing less. The default should be opt-in.

That the majority of users have never changed the defaults is exactly why Avast uses opt-out as that default. Most users don’t even know these options exist because they don’t read the forums or the release notes. And you know it! Avast should ask explicit consent through the program itself. So users can make an informed choice. Or at least were made aware these settings exist. That is the right way to approach user privacy!

I’ll repeat: Avast is being shady and it willfully puts its bottom line before its users privacy. Truly for shame.

[Rundvleeskroket]

@bob3160 post:13

Still looks like Personal Privacy to me?

This menu now differs between Avast Free and the paid version(s). Apparently.

[bob3160]

@Rundvleeskroket post:17

@benko post:15

We decided to put the GA tracking checkbox (now called Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis of product performance and usage) as checked by default as that is the norm and standard in the online world. We do not consider this a sneaky action. The absolute majority of users have never ever tempered with these settings so it is not like we are trying to fool them and shadily flip them to our desired setup. It’s industry standard to have GA (and such) tracking in opt-out mode.

You do realise that “everybody does it” is an extremely weak argument? If everybody jumps off a bridge, etc…

Avast boasts about being the right software to keep users safe and secure, in a myriad of ways. To then be so lax with their privacy is shameful! Nothing less. The default should be opt-in.

That the majority of users have never changed the defaults is exactly why Avast uses opt-out as that default. Most users don’t even know these options exist because they don’t read the forums or the release notes. And you know it! Avast should ask explicit consent though the program itself. So users can make an informed choice. That is the right way to approach user privacy!

I’ll repeat: Avast is being shady and it willfully puts its bottom line before its users privacy. Truly for shame.

Ultimately, it’s your system and you determine what’s placed on it. Avast can’t do more than be open about it’s collection practices.
If it’s not to your liking and you can find something else more to your liking, you make the final decision.
At least Avast puts it in the open. Most simply don’t disclose the information.

[Rundvleeskroket]

If Avast put it in the open, it would tell users about these settings and ask them what they want to share. In the program itself. Not hide it away in a release note that 1% of users is even aware of it exists.

Avast shows popups and alerts for all kinds of nonsense. Use them for good for once.