What is Avast?

[lowell holmes]

I'm getting a pop up message to go to Avast to eliminate some files.

What in blazes is Avast and how do I keep the message from popping up?

Thanks

[Ed Labadie]

Free Anti-virus software, been using it for years.

Ed

[James Waldron]

Avast is very good antivirus, free and paid versions. Free works just as well as paid for basic antivirus unless you have business computers. They have put in other features to attract paid installations, such as the pop-up offering to clean bad files.

The pop-up can be turned off if you open the Avast program "Settings," select "Components," scroll down to "Performance," then the drop-down arrow for "Clenaup" and click on "Uninstall Component." (They like it popping up in your face, so they don't make getting rid of it the first thing you see. But at least it is there.)

I have never used their Cleanup program, but you may wish to think about using it. It will get rid of a lot of accumulated junk files that clutter your drive and slow your computer and will do no harm. I use a cleaning program I've had for years, since it started with the name "Crap Cleaner" back in the wild and wooly dawn of personal computing. It's now called CCleaner. https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download It's my choice and it's free, but the Avast Cleanup may be more convenient for you as it provides a single source for such maintenance/security software, but its not free.

[David Helm]

I though avast meant to stop on the high seas.

[Bill Jobe]

I though avast meant to stop on the high seas.

What??????

[Bill Jobe]

Question about another anti virus app so I'll start new thread.

[Wade Lippman]

Sounds like you have some sort of infestation. Have you installed any software recently?

[James Waldron]

Sounds like you have some sort of infestation. Have you installed any software recently?

You seem to have missed the above posts about Avast. It almost certainly came as an automatic update to Avast antivirus software in the usual fashion. [If your antivirus software isn't set to update both program and database automatically, you have to be exceptionally careful to do manual updates. Most antivirus programs are updated several times a year; antivirus databases (definitions of the bad stuff to be blocked) are often updated several times a week.]

[Wade Lippman]

You seem to have missed the above posts about Avast. It almost certainly came as an automatic update to Avast antivirus software in the usual fashion. [If your antivirus software isn't set to update both program and database automatically, you have to be exceptionally careful to do manual updates. Most antivirus programs are updated several times a year; antivirus databases (definitions of the bad stuff to be blocked) are often updated several times a week.]

I made a wild assumption that if he didn't know what avast was, he wouldn't be getting updates to it. At least not unless it was an infestation.

[John K Jordan]

What??????

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/avast

[David Helm]

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/avast


Thanks John

[John K Jordan]

Thanks John

I remember it from old sailing and pirate movies: "Avast, matey, avast!" along with "Ahoy, matey", "Aye", and of course, "Arrrr!"
Better brush up before International Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept 19th. :)

[James Waldron]

I made a wild assumption that if he didn't know what avast was, he wouldn't be getting updates to it. At least not unless it was an infestation.

I think you miss a large component of computer users who pay others to set up their computers and live with whatever has been installed, such as antivirus software like Avast, set to automatically update and scan in the background in the dark of night. You might be surprised to learn how many people don't have any clue about these things. Assumptions such as the one you made could lead to the OP spending a lot of money chasing a malware issue he doesn't have. Some computer techs call it a "Granny Install." Others are more charitable (or at least more discreet).

And no talking like a pirate is permitted on my boat. There are far too many real problems with piracy around the world, including here on occasion, to make that a very funny topic.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

As a rule of thumb., if I do not know where the pop-up came from, I try to kill it with prejudice and do not install from or follow links from the pop-ups.

I try to go to the original web site then download and install from there.

[James Waldron]

As a rule of thumb., if I do not know where the pop-up came from, I try to kill it with prejudice and do not install from or follow links from the pop-ups.

I try to go to the original web site then download and install from there.


Very wise. It does mean, however, you are not qualified for a "Granny Install." (See post above.)

[Bill Jobe]

It's bigger problem than what they provide.
I once bought an all-the-thrills", premium app. Rock solid, ii thought.
Not long after I was contacted by that company and there was an attempt to get more money or additional services.
I immediately deleted the email and typed their website in manually. I told them what I thought was their personnel but questioned their procedures.
After a few minutes on hold the real company's representative came back on saying that I had visited a fake clone of their site. They were hacked
I imediately updated from their site and scanned every file on my phone.

I'd be more interested in a standard by which they were held to. Then, data open to the public on their softwear's performance against what they claim it does.
But, then, the government
Is hacked on a regular, or perhaps I should say at an ever increasing basis.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Very wise. It does mean, however, you are not qualified for a "Granny Install." (See post above.)

Ehh, speak up sonny, or I won't be baking you any cookies!