Thinking about dropping Avast. Windows 10

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted by Jackson_Slugger
Originally Posted by 2015_PSD
Here are some comparisons from an independent lab; Windows Defender is not even in the top 10 based upon Protection (for what that is worth):

https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/


It's pretty much on par with everything else. 5.5 vs. 6.0?

It equates to 100% protection versus 96.7% (according to the details behind the 5.5 and 6.0 numbers) on some of the 6.0 across the board scores. It also equates to your risk profile, if 5.5 is "good enough", then problem solved.

 

[irv]

There is some great information in here, guys. Thank you very much!

Yesterday, I was getting all kinds of alerts/notifications/red flags about my Avast subscription running out, and today, nothing?? Everything looks normal and the way it always did prior to these notifications.

I know Avast always jumps the gun and wants you to renew before things are due, even weeks in advance, so maybe they have backed off some knowing I am not going to fall for their game again?

If and when it does happen, I was just going to use CCleaner to uninstall/remove it as I heard that is also a very good removal tool? I assume, based on the info here, that is not likely true?

Again, I appreciate the info and time people are taking to help me out.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I am not trying to tell you your business here but if all is well with your Avast now, they may have charged you and restarted your service for another year. It would be a good idea now to check the credit card or account you were using to pay for your Avast subscription. It could have already been renewed if your account was set to auto-renew, but Avast has also been known to renew a closed subscription and charge the account on file without the customer's permission or knowledge:

http://avastscam.com/tell-us-your-story/

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/avast-antivirus.html?page=6

https://www.complaintsboard.com/dri-avast-software-refund-c663017

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233155.msg1541100#msg1541100

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=221666.msg1476363#msg1476363

https://www.complaintboard.com/dri-avast-software-orderfind-com-complaints-l15105/page/2

CCleaner can be dangerous. It's not a good idea to let it modify your registry. I would be very careful with it. It is also interesting that Avast owns Pirifrom/CCleaner. You may be a lot better off to just use the Avast Removal Tool and if needed use a different dedicated removal tool like Revo and/or remove any leftover Avast files from the registry yourself. CCleaner itself has had more than its share of problems:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriform_(company)

https://www.zdnet.com/article/avast...aner-following-second-hack-in-two-years/

https://threatpost.com/avast-network-breached-as-hackers-target-ccleaner-again/149358/

https://blog.ipswitch.com/should-you-use-a-registry-cleaner-like-ccleaner

 

[irv]

Originally Posted by Jimmy9190
I am not trying to tell you your business here but if all is well with your Avast now, they may have charged you and restarted your service for another year. It would be a good idea now to check the credit card or account you were using to pay for your Avast subscription. It could have already been renewed if your account was set to auto-renew, but Avast has also been known to renew a closed subscription and charge the account on file without the customer's permission or knowledge:

http://avastscam.com/tell-us-your-story/

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/avast-antivirus.html?page=6

https://www.complaintsboard.com/dri-avast-software-refund-c663017

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233155.msg1541100#msg1541100

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=221666.msg1476363#msg1476363

https://www.complaintboard.com/dri-avast-software-orderfind-com-complaints-l15105/page/2

CCleaner can be dangerous. It's not a good idea to let it modify your registry. I would be very careful with it. It is also interesting that Avast owns Pirifrom/CCleaner. You may be a lot better off to just use the Avast Removal Tool and if needed use a different dedicated removal tool like Revo and/or remove any leftover Avast files from the registry yourself. CCleaner itself has had more than its share of problems:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriform_(company)

https://www.zdnet.com/article/avast...aner-following-second-hack-in-two-years/

https://threatpost.com/avast-network-breached-as-hackers-target-ccleaner-again/149358/

https://blog.ipswitch.com/should-you-use-a-registry-cleaner-like-ccleaner


Great info!

I wasn't aware of CCleaner having issues nor did I know it was owned by Avast.

Speaking of Avast, I also thought I might have been billed but I have received no email notifications or anything telling me I have?
I also removed/undid the auto renewal option about a month ago and I assumed that worked or else I wouldn't have received all the "about to expire" notifications like I have been receiving these last few days.
But, with that being said, I will check my CC info just to be sure?

Thanks again

 

[thescreensavers]

Windows Defender and Common Sense 2020 is all you need these days.

 

[DejaVue]

I've been using Kaspersky for a while.
It always does well in tests.
The free version doesn't lack much.

Is it weird that the U.S. government banning it makes me want to use it even more?

haha. Trust your government, folks.

I don't believe the hype against it. And it's very popular in Europe.

 

[DejaVue]

By the way, here's a real-world example that will question anyone who says you don't need anti-virus as long as you stay away from the dark corners of the internet:

I was searching for various sites about some topic a couple weeks ago. Just something about weather or crime statistics or something. Clicked on what seemed like a news/information site. It seemed to open fine for a moment, then my browser started stalling out or otherwise acting weird. In that quick moment, I knew something bad was up with that website, and in that same moment, Kaspersky popped up and warned me about a virus that was now in my browser cache file. And it probably asked me to block the site. I forget.

 

[JGmazda]

Originally Posted by ZeeOSix
Originally Posted by Jimmy9190
Originally Posted by irv
At this point, I think I am going to give Windows defender a shot. Is there anything I will need to do when my Avast runs out? It is currently sitting idle/closed because of the features of Avast so will it automatically turn on and start protecting right after Avast closes later today or tomorrow or will I have to activate something?

Sorry, I am not very computer savvy when it comes to this sort of stuff.

The best way to get rid of Avast is use their removal tool:

https://www.avast.com/en-us/uninstall-utility

It runs in safe mode and usually gets rid of all residual Avast files too. Defender should turn back on by itself when Avast is removed. If Defender does not start after removing Avast, then you may have some residual leftover Avast files still on the computer. You can use the free version of Revo Uninstaller or free Iobit Uninstaller to clean those out and Defender should start back up after that. It would be good idea to check for updates on Defender and run a scan right away as soon as Avast is gone.


I would just start removal by using Revo Uninstaller for free version. Revo will start by executing the Avast built-in uninstaller, then do a clean-up of any left over items.

In my experience, Revo many still leave some associated folders behind. That's when I'd go in and search for items named "Avast" (or whatever program you're removing) and manually delete anything obvious like a left over folder, etc.


^^^ Good Advice! ^^^

 

[JGmazda]

Originally Posted by OilReport99
You will not miss Avast at all. Windows Defender is as good as they come.


I formerly used Avast and recently decided to uninstall it because of how much they badgered me to upgrade. I get the "business" aspect of freeware, but for gosh-sakes!
Agree - Windows Defender has come a long way... No real need to use any third-party (like Avast) if one is careful around the Internet.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I switched back to Defender as well. KSC Free worked well but the 2004 MS update will make Windows Security/Defender even stronger. I don't want any third party AV complications with the upcoming MS updates.

I also dropped my subscription for MBAM Premium and downloaded the free version to run only an on demand scan if needed. Just that one change alone made my laptop run faster, whether on Chrome, FF or Edge. I added the free Bitdefender Traffic Light extension and it seems to be doing a good job with reputation of links on Google and Bing searches. I also re-downloaded the MS Edge Chromium browser. It seems like MS has worked out a lot of bugs since the last time I tried it. It's a little more snappy than Chrome without the Google tracking.

I am done worrying about my AV now. I still enjoy reading and learning about malware and online security but I am not making any other changes to my computer. No AV will catch everything and there may be some shady characters in the online security business but Defender works fine and is all I need for AV. I will say that while I had it Kaspersky Cloud was the least troublesome of any third party AV I have ever used.