AVG 2015 Downloaded without my permission - Could it be fake?

This morning I looked up at my screen to find a message telling me that AVG 2015 has successfully installed with it's control panel showing, icons and their webpage displaying on my browser...

I immediately tried to run System Restore. The only restore date I have is yesterday... I restored it to yesterday but the AVG program files remain. I tried again in safe mode but no luck.

I am wondering if it is some sort of malware program posing as AVG. I did have a 2011 version but I stopped using it and I didn't ask it to install the 2015 version. (I have been using another program instead which I just deleted a few moments ago.)

How can I tell if this is genuine or malware?
Thankyou

Having an older version installed can be a good source for the new installation, many programs love autoupdating themselves without user knowledge or consent (though often there is the option to disable this "feature"). That could count as a legit source for it. It doesn't matters if you actually use it or not, specially for antiviruses that inject themselves all around in the system, a small service left running is enough.

It's also a possibility of it being some sort of malware disguising itself as an antivirus. Often those come from false advertising in websites or come bundled in an otherwise legit software, as "optional offers" that are nothing but crapware. Inadvertently accepting one of those is a common way to get nasties in.

But now for the important thing, how to realize if it's legit or not. One way I know is to look at the digital signature of the executables. Open the program file's folder and look for it's .exe. Open its properties and go to its "digital signature" tab (lacking of one most likely means it's bad) and review the certificate details you see there, where it says who emitted the certs and to what company. Virus writers often don't sign their programs and those who do never sign them in the name of companies that write antiviruses.

FYI: I just got the same notice, and saw that my AVG icon had turned to "2015". I didn't give it permission, and did not allow for automatic updates. The new user agreement specifies that you must allow auto-updates and such. Obviously, not allowing didn't mean much, did it?

I've liked AVG in the past, but was using an older version because I preferred it. As we all know, what we prefer, want, etc., means nothing in today's software world. With the new cloud-based stuff, it'll be even worse. I'm rather sick of it, and am thinking a lot about leaving the grid.

Decisions, decisions...

Yes, I did uninstall the AVG a while ago. CCleaner's uninstall tool wasn't able to do it, but the Windows 7 system tool did. I don't take kindly to this type of cyber-bullying either. Cheers.

Alejandro85 said:

Having an older version installed can be a good source for the new installation, many programs love autoupdating themselves without user knowledge or consent (though often there is the option to disable this "feature"). That could count as a legit source for it. It doesn't matters if you actually use it or not, specially for antiviruses that inject themselves all around in the system, a small service left running is enough.

It's also a possibility of it being some sort of malware disguising itself as an antivirus. Often those come from false advertising in websites or come bundled in an otherwise legit software, as "optional offers" that are nothing but crapware. Inadvertently accepting one of those is a common way to get nasties in.

But now for the important thing, how to realize if it's legit or not. One way I know is to look at the digital signature of the executables. Open the program file's folder and look for it's .exe. Open its properties and go to its "digital signature" tab (lacking of one most likely means it's bad) and review the certificate details you see there, where it says who emitted the certs and to what company. Virus writers often don't sign their programs and those who do never sign them in the name of companies that write antiviruses.

Thanks Alejandro, there were 4 or 5 executables in there and I looked at each one and they all look legitimate... or someone has gone to a lot of trouble to create them - I don't know how that works... So I guess I will use it for a while and then purchase another brand as I no longer have any respect for AVG they have just become what they are supposed to be protecting us from. Hopefully there is a virus checker that can clean AVG entirely off my computer as I have read that it is virtually impossible.

Layback Bear said:

To me it's simple.
Anything that installs on my systems without my permission is malware or worse.
I don't care what it is called.

AVG would be gone completely. The last thing I need is a security program playing game with my systems.

I agree, I was just saying that I no longer have any respect for AVG they have just become what they are supposed to be protecting us from. Hopefully there is a virus checker that can clean AVG entirely off my computer as I have read that it is virtually impossible.

MrRoundel said:

Yes, I did uninstall the AVG a while ago. CCleaner's uninstall tool wasn't able to do it, but the Windows 7 system tool did. I don't take kindly to this type of cyber-bullying either. Cheers.

Thanks for the tip... would you be kind enough to point me in the right direction of this tool as I want to destroy this AVG turned traitor.

MrRoundel said:

FYI: I just got the same notice, and saw that my AVG icon had turned to "2015". I didn't give it permission, and did not allow for automatic updates. The new user agreement specifies that you must allow auto-updates and such. Obviously, not allowing didn't mean much, did it?

I've liked AVG in the past, but was using an older version because I preferred it. As we all know, what we prefer, want, etc., means nothing in today's software world. With the new cloud-based stuff, it'll be even worse. I'm rather sick of it, and am thinking a lot about leaving the grid.

Decisions, decisions...

I moved somewhat off the grid a year ago for the same reason... the computer world is following in the footsteps of they typical corporate world - force people to part with their money and blow the laws and rules...

I am no expert in such things, but I just used the "Uninstall" section of Windows. I went to "Programs", selected "AVG Antivirus", and hit "Uninstall". It seemed to get rid of what I could see anyway. A few other AVG remnants remained, but they were something called "Visual Studio Redistributables". I saw that they too had updated yesterday morning, probably at the same time the AV software installed, rather surreptitiously, I might add.

When I tried using the uninstall tool in my CCleaner program, it didn't seem to work.

Perhaps someday we "slaves to the machine" will become aware, and break the bonds. Time will tell. But if people think that corporations have no conscience, wait until the machines are fully running the show. Lotsa' luck.

BTW: I don't have anything more against MSFT, than I do against any other IT/Software company. That said, on Windows Updates, I can't help wondering how the categories below can generate 32MB of data. This is what was uploaded during the time that 600MB was downloaded in a recent update.

What type of information is sent to Microsoft during the update process?
To provide you with the best possible service, Windows Update collects some system configuration data in order to provide you with updates that apply to your computer. This information includes:
• Computer make and model
• Windows version number
• Internet Explorer version number
• Version numbers of other Microsoft software for which updates might be available
• Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices
• Region and Language setting
• Globally Unique Identifier (GUID)
• Product ID and Product Key
• BIOS name, revision number, and revision date

This was 30+MB of data? I'm just sayin'....