Dear Avast team,
I’d first like to start by saying, I’m a techy guy. I’m the person everyone in my family calls if they have any trouble with their computer and sure enough, I use to always install avast on every computer I repaired. Even so much to have some people buy your software as they liked having your support team on hand instead of calling me. Your software use to be top notch and I whole-heartedly swore by the company. But things have changed and I’m turning away from you and here’s why.
Gone are the days of a successful free anti-virus that would sit idle on my computer, keeping me safe giving me cautious warnings from suspicious files. And unwelcoming now are the days of constant intrusive pop ups and invasive email self promotion.
I was frustrated the first time I sent myself an email to discover your software had started dropping in it’s own footer. Basically advertising avast, with a thin veil of assurance that the email was scanned and virus free. I forgave it the first time, however in an email, this looks unprofessional so I ultimately unchecked that option in the settings. But then, I’ve found every time there’s a major update, you go ahead and re-check that little box and it infuriates me to my core. On top of that, your consistent pop-ups to sell me on driver scanners and pc optimizations is just unnecessary.
I understand you’re first and foremost a company that needs to make money. I get it. But to not have an option to turn these things off is completely ridiculous. You use to have settings for everything, available right upfront to the user.
I don’t need your program to tell me how to run my computer as I can do a sufficient enough job myself. So every time your pop-up comes by I am annoyed, not curious about what you’re peddling. I don’t need your premium service, I need bare-bones protect my worst case scenario - software. Not bloatware that is bordering on adware.
I remember when I’d download something sketchy or visit a not so safe website and avast would come up “A virus has been detected.” I’d actually say out loud.
“Thank you Avast!” and happily go about my day.
But lately, I’ve been begrudgingly saying out loud.
“NO THANK YOU AVAST!” with every damn ad that comes up.
So when I sent myself a file today to see my emails have been advertising for you once again (and for god knows how long), I had enough. I’m a user, not an advertiser. You can’t just use my communications as your glorified billboard. It’s like having my mobile provider stick on the end of every text “this message was sent through Bell Canada, visit our site to find the best deals for you.” But here’s the thing… I hate Bell Canada, but there’s practically no alternatives up here in the great white north… But let me just say, there’s many other anti-virus programs that can do the same job as Avast without consistently advertising to me. So I’m making the choice to move on, and never coming back. Best of luck with your new business strategies.
Sincerely,
Ex-Avast User
