Avast Warning

Warning! I just downloaded and installed the latest update to Avast free and the misbegotten jerks attempted to sneak the Google Toolbar onto my computer (Zone Alarm caught that one so I could block it) and managed to sneak Chrome onto my computer. I even had Unchecky running at the time.

I used the custom installation and I was never given the option to not install Chrome or the Google Toolbar. Adding insult to injury, the clowns made Chrome my default browser. I had to reset IE 11 as my default browser, uninstall Chrome, then download and temporarily install CCleaner to clean out the last traces of *&^%$#!@! Chrome!

If Avast ever tries that stunt again, it's history. I don't have an issue with a free program bolstering its income by offering to install additional programs but to install them without giving one an opportunity to opt out is despicable and inexcusable!

I started the installer again and, this time, the options to opt out were presented in the opening window. I swear they were not there the first time I ran it because I look for this kind of crap when installing and updating programs and almost never miss them (and Unchecky normally catches them the rare times I do miss them). Unchecky totally missed this one.

Avast has an option to Customize the installation in the first window. Customize, Expert, etc. are installation choices where program installers often hide the opt out options.

I gave notice about a week or so back that sense Avast bought Ccleaner you will get the Google Toolbar and possibly Chrome.

If you upgrade Ccleaner to a newer version, you also get Google Toolbar whether you want it or not. Their is no notice or warning, it just installs.

To double check for the Google Toolbar I used Eset free online scan. This scan will take some time.

Leave it to a Crap company like Avast to screw up Ccleaner.
I had to do a complete registry search to get rid of all of Chrome.

Jack

mrjimphelps ---- I agree wholeheartedly!!!!

mrjimphelps said:

Google is one of the most sneaky and pervasive companies existing today. They have their claws in everything, continually collecting as much information as they can about every possible person. So much so that this practice makes up just about all of Google's business model.

Avast is making some forays into this field, but they are doing nothing compared to the king of sneakiness, Google.