Warning: New version of Avira Antivirus automatically installs ASK toolbar

[JEDI]

so i got a notice on my screen that Avira has a new version.
i let it download and run the thru the install.

i chose 'custom' install because the "recommended" install usually installs the stupid ASK toolbar or whatever adware.

well, i get to the next screen and Win7 warns me that Avira is trying to install the ASK toolbar. WTF?!

i say not to that. rest of the install is ok.

Avira is getting shady...

 

[Dahak]

Arrggg... not that I instal Avira alot but good to know to watch for it

ASK toolbar gotta die !!

 

[Berryracer]

Although Avira has very good detection rates and low FPs, I stopped using it once it incorporated the Ask Toolbar which is a Virus on its own in my books

I wouldn't trust an AV company that bundles such crapware

there are much better free options out there like AVG for example which gets very good detection rates according to the latest AV Comparatives tests

 

[lxskllr]

Although Avira has very good detection rates and low FPs, I stopped using it once it incorporated the Ask Toolbar which is a Virus on its own in my books

I wouldn't trust an AV company that bundles such crapware

there are much better free options out there like AVG for example which gets very good detection rates according to the latest AV Comparatives tests

I agree. I wouldn't use any software that bundles crapware. I found the popup ads for the full product acceptable, but irritating. They were a small price to pay for good software, and were directly related to the product. Toolbars, and other crap are unacceptable, especially for a security product.

 

[Mushkins]

I used to recommend Avira to everyone for home use. A once a day ad to buy the full version was worth good, free, lightweight AV.

Then they released I think version 12, and they changed the once a day ad into a nagging message bubble in the taskbar. Ok, whatever. Until me and a bunch of other users realized that the nag message was also programmed to *STEAL APP FOCUS*. Playing a fullscreen game? Get booted to the desktop to be reminded that you should buy the full version of Avira! Typing something up? Get lost mid sentence to be reminded that you should buy the full version of Avira! Watching a movie? Better stop for a minute to buy Avira!

Avira's response? Stealing app focus is intended design, not a bug. If you dont want the popups buy the full version! I moved all my gear to MSE and never looked back.

 

[gorb]

I'll just stick to using MSE

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

That's why I buy full versions of antivirus. Kaspersky is my favorite at the moment second is Norton.

 

[wanderer27]

That's why I buy full versions of antivirus. Kaspersky is my favorite at the moment second is Norton.

Last time I used Norton it was a huge resource hog.

Also the last I looked, haven't they're detects stats dropped off somewhat in comparison to others?



OP - thanks for the heads up on the Avira install, I had an auto install pop up yesterday but didn't fell like messing with it so I exited out.


.

 

[paul878]

MSE!

 

[Berryracer]

MSE??? Really??

look how AVG and avast put it to shame, MSE's results are down at the end:

AV-TEST Product Review and Certification Report – May-Jun/2013

 

[John Connor]

I use Avira 13. November/ 2013 and only see one popup during an update. I trust Avira's engine and detection capability, but if they are playing with this BS I may be forced to use something like Panda, Bitdefender or F-secure. Next thing I will know they will screw up my favorite firewall Comodo. It's bad enough they messed my browser Firefox up. WTH is this world coming to?

 

[John Connor]

OP, I just updated Avira and it did NOT install an Ask toolbar. You must have gotten it somewhere else.

Avira version:

Product version 13.0.0.3885 8/1/2013
Search engine 8.02.12.94 7/25/2013
Virus definition file 7.11.95.154 8/7/2013
Control Center 13.06.00.1550 8/7/2013
Config Center 13.06.00.1550 8/7/2013
Luke Filewalker 13.06.00.1722 8/7/2013
Real-Time Protection 13.06.00.1550 8/7/2013
Filter 13.05.01.10 8/7/2013
Web Protection 13.06.07.1550 8/7/2013
Scheduler 13.06.00.1550 8/7/2013
Updater 13.06.14.1550 8/7/2013
Rootkits Protection 13.05.01.05 8/7/2013
Local Decider 13.06.02.1704 8/7/2013

 

[JEDI]

shrug

like i sad in my OP:
i clicked yes on avira update.
as i'm installing avira, win7 notifies me that ask toolbar wants to be installed.

did the same thing on my win7 laptop.

 

[Mushkins]

MSE??? Really??

look how AVG and avast put it to shame, MSE's results are down at the end:

AV-TEST Product Review and Certification Report – May-Jun/2013

Can we maybe not turn this into yet another thread about that FUD chart? Please? :/ It's a biased, slanted infographic without any of the testing context. That "zero bars" MSE got actually translates into a 1% below average detection rate (94% or something) if you click through to the test results.

 

[Ketchup]

Can we maybe not turn this into yet another thread about that FUD chart? Please? :/ It's a biased, slanted infographic without any of the testing context. That "zero bars" MSE got actually translates into a 1% below average detection rate (94% or something) if you click through to the test results.

This is berryracer, of course he can't.

 

[manko]

They've been doing this for years now, which is why I switched away from Avira even though it was a decent scanner.

2011:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2174910

 

[Ketchup]

I can't remember the last time I downloaded a free program that didn't want to install something with it (toolbar, etc). Heck, even ccleaner does this. I don't understand what the big deal is. If this is a deal breaker for you, you have pretty much ruled out 99% of the free software out there.

 

[lxskllr]

If this is a deal breaker for you, you have pretty much ruled out 99% of the freeware out there.

Fixed

I'm unaware of any free software released by the dev that comes bundled with crapware. It's scammy, and the worst examples manipulate people into installing it, against their wishes.

 

[Ketchup]

Fixed

I'm unaware of any free software released by the dev that comes bundled with crapware. It's scammy, and the worst examples manipulate people into installing it, against their wishes.

But it makes them money, so they do it and pretend it wasn't their fault.

 

[Mem]

Fixed

I'm unaware of any free software released by the dev that comes bundled with crapware. It's scammy, and the worst examples manipulate people into installing it, against their wishes.

I can think of a few ie Hamster video converter,PeaZip etc...sad thing is plenty of software out there that do sneak or install stuff on your PC unless you choose custom installation and make sure all the third party crap is not selected.

 

[Doppel]

Any company bundling shovelware needs to go bankrupt lickity split. This is an absolutely awful business practice bundling that crap into a product.

 

[lxskllr]

I can think of a few ie Hamster video converter,PeaZip etc...sad thing is plenty of software out there that do sneak or install stuff on your PC unless you choose custom installation and make sure all the third party crap is not selected.

I'm not sure Hamster's free software. They imply it is, but have a confusingly worded EULA on their site, and I don't see any links to source code.

http://www.hamstersoft.com/eula/

You're correct about PeaZip, though they have a tiny link on the bottom of their page for an unpolluted copy. Still shady though.

Out of curiosity, why do you use PeaZip over 7Zip?

 

[Mem]

I'm not sure Hamster's free software. They imply it is, but have a confusingly worded EULA on their site, and I don't see any links to source code.

http://www.hamstersoft.com/eula/

You're correct about PeaZip, though they have a tiny link on the bottom of their page for an unpolluted copy. Still shady though.

Out of curiosity, why do you use PeaZip over 7Zip?

I don't use either.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't use either.

Gotcha. I saw a couple people mention it on the Essential Software thread, and without looking, assumed you were one of them.

 

[Cerb]

I can't remember the last time I downloaded a free program that didn't want to install something with it (toolbar, etc). Heck, even ccleaner does this. I don't understand what the big deal is. If this is a deal breaker for you, you have pretty much ruled out 99% of the free software out there.

My CCleaner doesn't. Get portable or slim, and you should be hitchhiker-free.