AVG's update to their Privacy Policy

[manikyath]

Don't they have some browser add-on?

i realised when someone noted me of it.

 

i havent used AVG in years after i decided to uninstall it everywhere because it tried to install adware on my system...

[manikyath]

It's very resource light, but it's detection algorithms aren't as good as some others - it scores moderately well but not excellent in most AV tests. It misses the occasional wild virus.

 

Which is why I recommend using it with MalwareBytes as a backup.

 

Kaspersky is a better overall AV then Defender though. It generally scores at the very top of AV tests.

winderp defenderp: barely notice its running - really malicious stuff barely notices its running either.

norton antivirus: RIP performance - but also RIP malicious stuff.

 

thats why norton is still pretty popular.

[dalekphalm]

winderp defenderp: barely notice its running - really malicious stuff barely notices its running either.

norton antivirus: RIP performance - but also RIP malicious stuff.

 

thats why norton is still pretty popular.

Norton actually has a solid product. Ever since ~2010/2011, they've had an excellent AV suite. The days of the "dreaded" Norton AV that destroyed performance and was impossible to remove are LONG past.

 

It's certainly not the best AV, but it's quite competent. I prefer Kaspersky over Norton, but Norton is better for the "computer illiterate" demographic, who just need something that works really well and is dead simple.

[Albatross]

I never liked AVG, but this makes me dislike even more. It is such a terrible anti-virus software.

[PatrikStar24]

@PatrikStar24 AVG may have once been the "king daddy" of free AV software back in the early/mid 2000's, but they've been pretty shit for a long time now.

Yeah, I only tolerated it because it (whereas malwarebytes and superantispyware detected adware and trojans) detected java exploits that managed to download themselves and other adware, it even legitimately protected me on a few occasions.

 

The program is very invasive with pop-ups and notifications, and constantly bugs you to "upgrade" to one of their paid premium levels. I personally prefer Avast over AVG, but even Avast has been getting really pushy with upgrading, etc.

Another one of the things I tolerated from AVG, I'm beating myself up over it because I didn't switch sooner.

These days, I generally recommend MalwareBytes + Windows Defender. Or replace Windows Defender with Kaspersky or one of the other well reviewed/tested paid options. I don't have much personal experience with Avira, but have heard good things.

I personally prefer to have something with a higher detection rate, due to the frequency that my family's computers get infected with adware (every 2-3 months). Even with my high security (6 security oriented browser extensions for Firefox, will link if PM'ed), adware still manages to get on every 9 months to a year.

I would advise against using BitDefender though, since they were the victim of a severe targeted hacking attack. Of course, no security is perfect, but do I really trust a security company that got hacked with the security of my computer? Nope.

I heard about that, it was one of the things I took into account.

[manikyath]

Norton actually has a solid product. Ever since ~2010/2011, they've had an excellent AV suite. The days of the "dreaded" Norton AV that destroyed performance and was impossible to remove are LONG past.

 

It's certainly not the best AV, but it's quite competent. I prefer Kaspersky over Norton, but Norton is better for the "computer illiterate" demographic, who just need something that works really well and is dead simple.

i've actually had really good experiences with norton, i dont quite recall which version it was, but i did testing on the performance difference.

my findings were about 30% difference.

- take in mind this doesnt mean "30% system usage by norton" but rather means programs will utilize 30% more system resources. -

i have no explanation for how and why, but its my findings. and A LOT of people will gladly give 30% of their speed to KNOW they're safe.

[NumLock21]

It's amazing that I just uninstalled avg today for an entirely related reason. Good timing.

I just installed avg today cause avast is hogging my apu at 100% all the time.

Time to remove avg.

[pbenologa]

People still use AVG? Their anti-virus is pure shit. 

[SeanBond]

I just installed avg today cause avast is hogging my apu at 100% all the time.

Time to remove avg.

Lol avast is what I actually switched to. How does it hog up your apu?

[totjup5]

Does anyone here even use AVG?

[Zah]

Does anyone here even use AVG?

Not anymore, probably.

[pixeldensity]

well I guess it time to uninstall avg. Which antivirus should I install. Is  Currently I have keys for Kaspersky internet security or titanium internet security any good. Kaspersky internet security and titanium internet security from Bestbuy laying about. I also have malwarebytes installed.

 

Does anyone here even use AVG?

I do, until tomorrow when I will uninstall it

[Beskamir]

Well guess I can't use AVG on my phone anymore.

[CTR640]

If they wanna sell my browsing history, they'll have to sell two girls one cup and blue waffle browsing history.

That will teach them.

[NumLock21]

Lol avast is what I actually switched to. How does it hog up your apu?

I have a el crapo apu, the e2-2000 running at stock speed of 1.8ghz and it's a dual core. That thing, everytime my system boots up it goes to 100% and puny fan starts to whirrrrrr. Done format a thousands of times, don't work, upgrade to 6gb and a ssd. Nothing helps. And with avast running, forget it. Only thing i can do is just browse the web. Got it for simple task and play some games like portal. But this crap, can't even handle that game without struggling. This apu is just too weak to begin with. Passmark sc: 470. Amd athlon xp 3000+ from 10+ years ago get a sc: 603.

[Nowak]

Does anyone here even use AVG?

Used to. Switched away after it failed to protect me from a rootkit.

It has one job, and it failed to do it.

[Zah]

This is why we NEED Linux to do well. I won't even go to an argument wether it is better than Windows or not, but if Linux had a significant marketshare in the desktop market, Microsoft wouldn't pull off shit like that. Right now, yeah we are their little bitches, because it is pretty much a one-way road gaming-wise.

Linux will never do well because a lot of the developers have shit flinging matches over their distros.

[Akolyte]

For privacy and control. Linux is better than everything because it's open source. For daily use? It needs more support.

True, but it also is fine for daily use,  Even regular user use something like Ubuntu, or Kubuntu is fine.  Its just compatibility that matters.

 

This is why I generally do not use antivirus software, and also because I clear out my own viruses and malware. AVG never helped me anyway.

I think clearing out your own viruses is certainly better than nothing you should also probably protect against them. 

Considering most malware these days is more capable than being killed in task manager or deleted from a folder in appdata.  As well as generally security scanners I don't use either.

 

I have a fully encrypted hard drive, run a proxy chain most of the time, run several virtual machines, run a restricted user account, run an anti-exploitation solution specifically EMET 5.2 and have it locked down quite hard.  

Even that isn't preventing viruses and malware.  Nothing at all can prevent them, you can only hope maybe you will have a chance not to be infected by one.  Antivirus software won't protect you from a government level attack.  Thats all in the brain, and knowing how exploits and hacks work is priceless for this. 

 

I suggest trying ethical vulnerbility testing as it will significantly help your security.  There are so many kiddie-script tools out there its actually starting to get quite funny. 

Well, isn't that fantastic? Every corporation under the sun seems to want to mine my data. And we're supposed to trust this one with securing our computers? You guys can have fun with this, I'm gonna go sit in the corner and learn how to make tinfoil hats.

I was making tinfoil hats before it was cool!

But no, antivirus software is only useful if you are in need of protection and if you actually have anything to protect.   Considering my disk is fully encrypted and backed up, and my network is highly secured and I pretty much have my own virus lab at home, I'm alright I guess.  Although saying your immune is a horrible mistake.  Since no one can't be hacked, its absolutely impossible. 

 

@PatrikStar24 AVG may have once been the "king daddy" of free AV software back in the early/mid 2000's, but they've been pretty shit for a long time now.

 

The program is very invasive with pop-ups and notifications, and constantly bugs you to "upgrade" to one of their paid premium levels. I personally prefer Avast over AVG, but even Avast has been getting really pushy with upgrading, etc.

 

These days, I generally recommend MalwareBytes + Windows Defender. Or replace Windows Defender with Kaspersky or one of the other well reviewed/tested paid options. I don't have much personal experience with Avira, but have heard good things.

 

I would advise against using BitDefender though, since they were the victim of a severe targeted hacking attack. Of course, no security is perfect, but do I really trust a security company that got hacked with the security of my computer? Nope.

Right, also Comodo.  Comodo kinda stinks too, their CEO got hit with an SQL attack by a 15 year old who didn't know what he was doing and called it a sophisticated attack.  

If they call that sophisticated, and yet they called the Zeus botnet advanced, their logic is so screwed. 

 

But seriously, I actually advise Norton.  While I right now, don't personally use it.  I have used it and haven't been able to personally pass it's defenses.  

 

Norton actually has a solid product. Ever since ~2010/2011, they've had an excellent AV suite. The days of the "dreaded" Norton AV that destroyed performance and was impossible to remove are LONG past.

 

It's certainly not the best AV, but it's quite competent. I prefer Kaspersky over Norton, but Norton is better for the "computer illiterate" demographic, who just need something that works really well and is dead simple.

I think Norton is best overall, but there are some good ones and it really doesn't matrer which one you pick or choose, its very much just personal preference.  But they will all protect you almost 100%

 

i've actually had really good experiences with norton, i dont quite recall which version it was, but i did testing on the performance difference.

my findings were about 30% difference.

- take in mind this doesnt mean "30% system usage by norton" but rather means programs will utilize 30% more system resources. -

i have no explanation for how and why, but its my findings. and A LOT of people will gladly give 30% of their speed to KNOW they're safe.

Right.

Linux will never do well because a lot of the developers have shit flinging matches over their distros.

Linux is already doing well.  Just needs to be moved the consumer market.  

[Timmy-P]

My only excuse is that I put more information in my thread, and the addition of the Wired article.

What's it going to be, mods? Merge, move, or lock?

Oh, there you are!  The notification I got from you 404'd because the thread was removed, lol.

[Doobeedoo]

I've used AVG before, not anymore for quite some time. No specific reason. Just like ESET more.

So this is just for free version, right?

[zMeul]

source: http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/avg-going-from-anti-virus-software-towards-spyware.html
 
 

In case you have AVG installed, you will notice that starting October the 15th you'll get a popup, indicating that AVG anti-virus software now collect and sell browser and search history data and well, what not ? Also getting tired of all the companies tracking you and selling your data these days ?
 
Security firm AVG can sell search and browser history data to advertisers in order to "make money" from its free antivirus software, a change to its privacy policy has confirmed.
 
Under the heading "What do you collect that cannot identify me?" the policy reads:
 
We collect non-personal data to make money from our free offerings so we can keep them free, including:
 

• Advertising ID associated with your device;
• Browsing and search history, including meta data;
• Internet service provider or mobile network you use to connect to our products; and
• Information regarding other applications you may have on your device and how they are used.

Sometimes browsing history or search history contains terms that might identify you. If we become aware that part of your browsing history might identify you, we will treat that portion of your history as personal data, and will anonymize this information.
 
The updated policy explained that AVG was allowed to collect "non-personal data", which could then be sold to third parties. The new privacy policy comes into effect on 15 October, but AVG explained that the ability to collect search history data had also been included in previous privacy policies, albeit with different wording.
 
AVG's potential ability to collect and sell browser and search history data placed the company "squarely into the category of spyware", according to Alexander Hanff security expert and chief executive of Think Privacy.

 

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this way beyond wrong! the thing that should protect your privacy from this type of stuff is actively doing it - I can't even believe how much nerve they had, coming from a AV company

so, they're using your bandwidth, your hardware to collect data about you and sell it for profit to a 3rd party - what the fuck! the universe should implode, or something

 

if Kaspersky would start doing shit like that I would ditch them instantly, I ditched AVIRA for another issue without looking back

 

the thing that absolutely makes no sense is how "anonymous" data has any value!? if you can't target back the user based on  his/hers patterns, what's the point? my guess is that the data is not anonymous, but good luck proving it

[BuckGup]

This is why you only use windows defender and are smart on what you download and when you are suspicious you use Malware Bytes

[Deli]

If all anti-virus programs start doing this shit, we're fucked. 

[zMeul]

This is why you only use windows defender and are smart on what you download and when you are suspicious you use Malware Bytes

Windows Defender .. it's utter shit! http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/avc_prot_2015a_en.pdf  + https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

 

[Pony080905]

i prefer malwarebytes