Avast Antivirus

I am still a firm believer in the Avast antivirus product however there are a few things that one should remember and recognize when using any "free" software program and that is they would really rather you used their paid model. No, I am NOT recommending you do this. In fact quite the opposite because the paid version provides you with the 'tools' that simply slow your system down and are far too intrusive to be worthy of paying for. Unfortunately like any good product, which Avast antivirus is for doing just that--virus detection, it seems that these products now want to be an all in one security and maintenance program by providing malware/spyware monitoring and software program update monitoring for other programs you have installed. Taking it a step further, it will also monitor all of your web surfing and block various websites. The problem with this, besides the fact this causes major performance issues, it s redundant if you use the chrome web browser since it already monitors for various security threats.

Now the real reason for this post is to make those that use this free antivirus program aware of a few basic things to watch out for with the main one being what happens after an automatic program or virus definition update that prompts you to restart your computer to complete the update. Upon restarting you are presented with a pop up prompting you "you are almost done..." and then it wants you to click OK/CONTINUE, but if you don't first de-select the small checkbox you are going to end up agreeing to allow the installation of software from their sponsor, currently this is drop box. Now you may say, well thats ok because I use dropbox anyway, but this will install that version and it may be an older version. Note: any software program version that is older than the one already installed will not recognize the newer version whereas any installation of a software program that is older than the one already installed you will be prompted that 'this program already exists and is newer than the one you are about to install'. This is typically where most people run in to troubles because even though you may have this software installed, the version may be different due to it being a sponsored version and so when you go to update the normal program you already have installed...that is where things can go wonky. This month it is dropbox which isnt as bad since dropbox is a very good program, but not everyone will need or want this and by simply thinking you ae doing the right thing by clicking "ok/continue" on the competion of the antivirus update you are now left with this new program installed and loading on start up. What happens next month or next week when that free program you have installed changes the sponsor to something else and new updates are ready...you will eventually end up with loads of programs you have no idea what they are, where they came from and why they are making your computer function much slower...all because of one small checkbox you overlooked....and this is why I can't emphasize enough, the importance to simply notify me whenever you get pop ip,prompts that updates are available or any other prompt you are unsure of. Simply click CANCEL or NO when asked if you want to proceed and it will not be updated (that is after you have contacted me to let me know of the prompt you just recieved). 

For me this becomes a quick 2 to 5 minute job of updating instead of a 10-15 minute one because i am first having to remove and clean your computer of the crap you accidently installed.

I'm here to help, so go ahead and take advantage of me!

FYI: 3/23/16
C90591623H1200A0218-M7815MWA