Is Avast! Antivirus Known To Effect PC Performance?

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium, x64
       #1

    Is Avast! Antivirus Known To Effect PC Performance?


    Hello there. Recently, (A couple of days ago to be exact..), I switched from Malwarebytes to Avast! Due to my Malwarebytes trial expiring. I switched to Avast! because it was the second best antivirus I knew about, at least, from what I remember. I ran a full system scan shortly after installing Avast! to find there were no threats detected.

    Yesterday, I was all set to go to bed and I shut down my computer the right way, by using the "Shut down" button on the start menu in Windows 7. I turned off my screen to find it was still trying to shut down 10 minutes later, this is something that usually, doesn't even take 20 seconds for me, so I figured the PC hung and thought nothing of it, so I used the power button to hard power off.

    I turned my computer on about 20-25 minutes ago to find it took 2-3 minutes (After entering password) to log on. Again, this is something that never even used to take 20 seconds. This has lead me to creating an account here and making this post, blaming Avast!.

    I'd usually just get rid of the program that I thought was causing it, but since I have no other antivirus, I wanted to keep it until I got your thoughts and opinions on Avast! Could you please recommend a new (free, if possible) antivirus to me that is fast, and can run without tampering with my PC performance or other programs open?

    If it helps, here is a screenshot of my Avast! information and some basic information on my PC specs, thank-you.

    -Tamzin.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Is Avast! Antivirus Known To Effect PC Performance?-screenshot..jpg  
    Last edited by Tamzin; 21 Jan 2015 at 16:09. Reason: Added information
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #2

    I have Avast free on a couple of systems and I don't see the performance issues you see.
    I don't have any of the optional Avast "bloat" installed.
    You can see what you have installed in Avast Tools.

    You could try other lighter AVs such as MS Security Essentials or Panda free.
    Download Microsoft Security Essentials from Official Microsoft Download Center
    Best Free Antivirus Download | Panda Free Antivirus 2015

    If you do want to try another AV, use the Avast uninstall utility to remove Avast before installing another AV.
    https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

    Also, MalwareBytes is not an Anti-Virus, it is an Anti-Malware.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #3

    Let's take a look at what 'adware' you may have installed accidently ...

    Download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save to your Desktop.

    Step 1.
    • Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
      Vista/Windows 7/8 users right-click and select Run As Administrator.
    • Click on the Scan button.
    • AdwCleaner will begin...be patient as the scan may take some time to complete.
    • After the scan has finished, click on the Report button...a logfile (AdwCleaner[R#].txt) will open in Notepad for review (where the largest value of # represents the most recent report).
    • The contents of the log file may be confusing. Unless you see a program name that you know should not be removed, don't worry about it. If you see an entry you want to keep, let me know about it.
    • Copy and paste the contents of that logfile in your next reply.
    • A copy of all logfiles are saved in the C:\AdwCleaner folder which was created when running the tool.


    Step 2.
    Using AdwCleaner v3: Scan & Clean:
    This time click on the Clean button.
    Press OK when asked to close all programs and follow the onscreen prompts.
    Press OK again to allow AdwCleaner to restart the computer and complete the removal process.
    After rebooting, a logfile report (AdwCleaner[S#].txt) will open automatically (where the largest value of # represents the most recent report).
    Copy and paste the contents of that logfile in your next reply.
    A copy of that logfile will also be saved in the C:\AdwCleaner folder

    ******Post both .txt logs
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium, x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks, Jacee.
    This is the report log it popped up with after a reboot.

    # AdwCleaner v4.109 - Report created 24/01/2015 at 11:30:46
    # Updated 24/01/2015 by Xplode
    # Database : 2015-01-24.4 [Live]
    # Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 (64 bits)
    # Username : Tamzin - TAMZIN-PC
    # Running from : C:\Users\Tamzin\Downloads\AdwCleaner.exe
    # Option : Clean

    ***** [ Services ] *****


    ***** [ Files / Folders ] *****

    Folder Deleted : C:\ProgramData\NCH Software
    Folder Deleted : C:\Program Files (x86)\NCH Software
    File Deleted : C:\Windows\System32\roboot64.exe
    File Deleted : C:\Users\Tamzin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\hxxp_www.azlyrics.com_0.localstorage
    File Deleted : C:\Users\Tamzin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\hxxp_www.azlyrics.com_0.localstorage-journal
    File Deleted : C:\Users\Tamzin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\hxxp_static.audienceinsights.net_0.localstorage
    File Deleted : C:\Users\Tamzin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\hxxp_static.audienceinsights.net_0.localstorage-journal
    File Deleted : C:\Users\Tamzin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\hxxps_static.olark.com_0.localstorage-journal

    ***** [ Scheduled Tasks ] *****


    ***** [ Shortcuts ] *****

    Shortcut Disinfected : C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Kodak\Uninstall KODAK AiO Software.lnk

    ***** [ Registry ] *****


    ***** [ Browsers ] *****

    -\\ Internet Explorer v0.0.0.0


    -\\ Mozilla Firefox v


    -\\ Google Chrome v40.0.2214.91


    *************************

    AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [1595 octets] - [24/01/2015 11:29:15]
    AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [1648 octets] - [24/01/2015 11:30:46]

    ########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [1708 octets] ##########


    It's funny because I did some research to find some of these items were PUP's.. When I had MalwareBytes, It never picked any of these up, the only one I recognize MB picking up is AZLyrics. I discovered that some of these can be bundled with software installers, and the only one I have installed since my problem is Avast!. I also, go through installation slowly to avoid downloading crapware.

    -Tammy.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #5

    Oooo... I didn't get your reply notification, sorry about that!

    Tell me if you're okay now, or still having problems.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 330
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit SP1
       #6

    Also in the future you can try Unchecky - Keeps your checkboxes clear which is a nice tool to help prevent accidentally installing bloatware. I'm very meticulous when I read through the fine print (and do it in a VM) but they are getting trickier and trickier all the time.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,774
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #7

    I have paid-for Avast AntiVirus Pro, and there are lots of stuff that I disabled: Sandbox, Safe Zone, Software Updater, Browser Cleanup, Grime Fighter, SecureVPN, Access Anywhere, Remote Assistance just to name the few. Many security programs come with configuration/settings controls -- rather than accepting etal en toto, it's up to us to disable what is not needed or wanted.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,774
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #8

    Berkey, could I have a few of those links in your signature via PM? I'm not at home, cannot look em up in the library.
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  9. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #9

    We seem to have gone off track and lost the original poster.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 24
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #10

    RolandJS said:
    I have paid-for Avast AntiVirus Pro, and there are lots of stuff that I disabled: Sandbox, Safe Zone, Software Updater, Browser Cleanup, Grime Fighter, SecureVPN, Access Anywhere, Remote Assistance just to name the few. Many security programs come with configuration/settings controls -- rather than accepting etal en toto, it's up to us to disable what is not needed or wanted.

    My question would be then why use the paid for Avast version? It appears to me you have essentially demoted Avast to the options of the free version.
      My Computer


 
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