Avast Free - Spying & Selling Your Data :(

[biffzinker]

Jeesh man I really really think techs should know first hand what it is they are trying not to get!! LOLOL.

It's not the technically inclined I would be overly concerned with but those that don't know what the CPU's purpose is, and those that think RAM/Storage drive serve the same purpose.

 

[matthewmatics]

Thats is why were here??? To teach.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Thats is why were here??? To teach.

Yes, but also to learn.

 

[Waldorf]

So far i never installed outside custom option, and i didn't opt in, and will keep avast, as i can completely turn it off (not constantly on), which bitdefend would have as an option (before i switched), and avira was uninstalled right after i installed it for something that really pi#%*+ me off (dont remember).
Especially with folks giving away all their data on social media, or for getting "free" stuff, im not worried about some of my info getting relayed (dont have to use my real info anyway, look for Frank Honest ;-).
Fact is, i had more personal information leaked/comprised thru bank/credi card and other companies that got hacked/weren't secure (server etc).

And anyone claiming you don't need a ireal time av scanner:
Visit gamecopyworld dotcom, select any game from past 2y, dl two no-dvd exes and 2 trainers...

 

[lexluthermiester]

You highlighted something that has nothing to do with your original statement.

Opinion based on your own interpretation.

You made the claim that they collect data even when the user says not to, back it up.

I did, if that's not good enough for you, oh well.

Hell, the part you highlighted wasn't even a true statement...

Ok, then. Do carry on.

 

[matthewmatics]

Stripped ripped and gutted and notta problemo...

 

[lexluthermiester]

Visit gamecopyworld dotcom, select any game from past 2y, dl two no-dvd exes and 2 trainers...

That's not going to work. gamecopyworld does not allow malware or infected files to be hosted there. They are throughly checked before going live on their site.

 

[Waldorf]

@matthewmatics
start installing the EU/GB version of win, and you dont even get half of your disabled stuff installed in the first place.
use things like shutup/win10privacy/blackbird, that takes care of the few leftovers.

@lexluthermiester
there is a difference between a (clean) file sitting on their server, and the clicking i have to do, to get to the dl.
at some point you will have crap on your rig...

 

[matthewmatics]

I love shut up 10! But SC delete command are just so easy and permanent!

Shut up 10 won't hold some settings and needs checked up on...

 

[Gmr_Chick]

@matthewmatics: Honestly guy, I'm still trying to figure out what the hell you're trying to contribute to this discussion other than the ridiculously naive belief that you've gone X years without an AV program of any kind, relying solely on WD for protection, and haven't gotten infected with a virus/trojan/malware of any kind so that means it can NEVER happen to you. The fact of the matter is, it hasn't happened to you...YET. The fact that your rig hasn't gotten infected in a certain number of years DOES NOT mean your rig is somehow magically immune to becoming infected indefinitely. It just hasn't happened yet.

So, what, are you just here to give terrible advice to people (AV programs are bad, m'kay! Don't use them, m'kay?) or do you have something to actually contribute here?

 

[matthewmatics]

Duh. I said I use control alt delete and the power button.

I have not had any issues since XP and that is a fact.

My contribution is saving people the fear of the unknown.

I didn't say it can't happen just that it hasn't. I am aggressively trying to be proven wrong every day.

In my very honest opinion AV is silly....why do you want to change my mind?

Why do you care....just be you. People that read and takes risks can decide what they want from all of this.

How is it a naive belief if it is true?

And if you READ it is way more than my rig.....it is my rigs...and the rigs of my customers! A lot of them.

Computers ain't rigs! This is a rig!

Jesus man....I can't believe some people. I am telling you all what I do like it or don't and move on.

I have been at this a LONG time and I know what I see and I see it a lot! I try to destroy these things and some of ya'll try yo protect them like they have value.

Gimme the worst thing out here (nothing) and I'll simply re partition, reload, add drivers, bring back data from other drive and be done in 30 minutes. No AV needed ever.

And beside this f&%$$^#ing thread is about a AV selling your data for Christs sake!! WOW! Keep using AV then!

Get a grip lady. Is that on par with "guy"?

What is your contribution on the actual thread topic?

 

[Solaris17]

Let’s stick to on topic, thanks a bunch!

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

You highlighted something that has nothing to do with your original statement. You made the claim that they collect data even when the user says not to, back it up.

Hell, the part you highlighted wasn't even a true statement...

Back in win 95 one of the early AVs had the ability to read characters/numbers being sent out, so you could enter a string to watch out for and tthe program would sniff every packet going out. How it worked I did not know, I am assuming the packet data was not encrypted then and I assume nowadays that same data is encrypted.

I wonder what tools are available now.

 

[newtekie1]

Opinion based on your own interpretation.

No there is no opinion or interpretation here. You made the statement that Avast collected user data even when the user choose not to. You backed this up with a statement from a article that said:

the problem was the firm did so without informing them, nor a proper mechanism to fully anonymize the data.

That in no way backs up your original statement that Avast collected data when the user chose not to. On top of that, the statement you quoted is wrong. Avast did inform the users they were collecting data. At no point did Avast collect data without informing the user. The users were either informed by the EULA or they were informed by a large pop-up during installation. Both ways are valid methods to inform the users data is being collected. And if the user made the choice to not allow Avast to collect data, than Avast didn't collect data, period. There is no opinion there, that is a fact that is directly opposite of your claim. You've provide no proof otherwise.

I did, if that's not good enough for you, oh well.

Sorry, posting no proof at all is in fact not good enough for me.

 

[Athlonite]

Back in win 95 one of the early AVs had the ability to read characters/numbers being sent out, so you could enter a string to watch out for and tthe program would sniff every packet going out. How it worked I did not know, I am assuming the packet data was not encrypted then and I assume nowadays that same data is encrypted.

I wonder what tools are available now.

Wireshark would probably be its modern counterpart these days

 

[Solaris17]

Wireshark would probably be its modern counterpart these days

That or an IDS/IPS system. Like Suricata or snort.

 

[lexluthermiester]

No there is no opinion or interpretation here. You made the statement that Avast collected user data even when the user choose not to.

Are you done? What you're doing is textbook trolling.

Sorry, posting no proof at all is in fact not good enough for me.

What I quoted is all I'm providing. If that's not good enough for you, hard cheese. Let it go.

 

[newtekie1]

Are you done? What you're doing is textbook trolling.

What I quoted is all I'm providing. If that's not good enough for you, hard cheese. Let it go.

Ok, so lets go over what happened here.

I made a post. You responded to my post with a total BS inaccurate statement arguing with me. You then failed to provide any proof to back up your original statement. And now I'm the troll. Ok there buddy...

I think we're done here.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

at the 14:48-ish mark is a real eye opener. holy crap

 

[lexluthermiester]

at the 14:48-ish mark is a real eye opener. holy crap

He's actually directly stating the reference data. Scary indeed.

He did get something wrong, near the end of the video he said that AVG is owned by Avira. It's owned by Avast. Honest mistake, but it needed to be clarified.

The good side of this is multifold.
1. Every other company is watching this carefully.
2. Most of them will take serious measures to come into compliance with Europe's and California's laws, which means that they will simply apply all rules equally.
3. The most likely result will be that the data will be striped of PII on the client level, meaning that the software itself will either fail to log PII or will strip it out of info being sent to the DB host servers.

This will be good for the public in the long run.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

This will be good for the public in the long run.

Public awareness is still an issue, too many still say "I have nothing to hide" accusing those that do care about privacy wear tinfoil hats too much. The same people that do not care what their info is used for until their identity gets stolen. I have little faith in the companies that buy this kind of data. I expect they handle such info with little regard to security or privacy and probably resells and trades the data with less reputable companies with shady intent. (Oops, did I let my tin hat show here?)

 

[rtwjunkie]

Public awareness is still an issue, too many still say "I have nothing to hide" accusing those that do care about privacy wear tinfoil hats too much. The same people that do not care what their info is used for until their identity gets stolen. I have little faith in the companies that buy this kind of data. I expect they handle such info with little regard to security or privacy and probably resells and trades the data with less reputable companies with shady intent. (Oops, did I let my tin hat show here?)

Yeah, it’s not about having anything to hide. It’s about me protecting my fundamental right (in the U.S. at least) to privacy. Give an agency or even a private company an inch, and they will take a mile.

 

[bonehead123]

As the saying goes:

"Cheap is as cheap does", hehehe....

I am all for free, basic versions of alot of different software, since alot of users on need the basic set of features, but internet security/anti-virus/anti-malware are NOT included in this category....

And as with many things, free software included, another saying comes to mind:

R.T.F.M...

or more specifically, the terms & conditions & usage agreements

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

As the saying goes:

"Cheap is as cheap does", hehehe....

I am all for free, basic versions of alot of different software, since alot of users on need the basic set of features, but internet security/anti-virus/anti-malware are NOT included in this category....

And as with many things, free software included, another saying comes to mind:

R.T.F.M...

or more specifically, the terms & conditions & usage agreements

the fine print.

Yeah, it’s not about having anything to hide. It’s about me protecting my fundamental right (in the U.S. at least) to privacy. Give an agency or even a private company an inch, and they will take a mile.

as someone else mentioned in some other thread, your data is out there and has been for a while, my answer to that is that we can still try to reduce the footprint by taking any steps we can to reduce exposure.

 

[lexluthermiester]

as someone else mentioned in some other thread, your data is out there and has been for a while, my answer to that is that we can still try to reduce the footprint by taking any steps we can to reduce exposure.

And this works. You just have to be willing to make the effort.