Avast Chrome Extension

[Camsung]

I recently switched from Norton to Avast and I must say i am absolutely LOVING the extra performance. No more constant lagging, freezing and crashing Avast just asked me whether or not I want to install the plugin for Google Chrome. When I used Norton I installed their Chrome extension and it made my browser crash every 5 minutes. Should I install the Avast extension or not? Will my computer be unsafe when browsing the web if I don't?

[Helltech]

I don't use it, but when I did use it I never noticed it running. 

[Camsung]

I don't use it, but when I did use it I never noticed it running. 

What does it actually do in terms of security?

[sonarctica]

It tells you if websites are safe basically, it stops you going from bad websites too I believe, I have it on and running and it seems fine

[Camsung]

It tells you if websites are safe basically, it stops you going from bad websites too I believe, I have it on and running and it seems fine

Does it impact performance?

[sonarctica]

Does it impact performance?

I doubt it, at least I've not seen any performance hits at all

[Camsung]

I doubt it, at least I've not seen any performance hits at all

So it's worth getting? Will I actually be vulnerable to viruses and spyware if I don't have it? I thought the Avast program itself has real-time web protection. Why does it need a Chrome Extension for this?

[ttam]

There is a reason why the USB drive I use for work has a Norton uninstaller. Chrome is safe enough so don't use anything to bog down Chrome.

[sonarctica]

So it's worth getting? Will I actually be vulnerable to viruses and spyware if I don't have it? I thought the Avast program itself has real-time web protection. Why does it need a Chrome Extension for this?

Well, I've found it useful at least, for example if you google something, it'll show you 3 bars next to the results and if they are green, it means the website has gotten a lot of upvotes for being a good website, and red if a bad one. You choose if it's worth it, I think it is, as I've not noticed and performance decreasing.

[Camsung]

Well, I've found it useful at least, for example if you google something, it'll show you 3 bars next to the results and if they are green, it means the website has gotten a lot of upvotes for being a good website, and red if a bad one. You choose if it's worth it, I think it is, as I've not noticed and performance decreasing.

But how would those bars help you if you already have common sense? Unless the Chrome Extension has real-time virus monitoring I don't think I'll need it since I don't go around browsing suspicious sites

[aikoels]

It is fine, it basically just "rates" a site based on what passed users rated it, for example this site is not rated (not enough votes) but if I go to any other site it just shows what people rate that site, it comes in handy if I ever find a nasty site it is easier to tell (phishing sites for example are usually rated really low if they have enough votes.)

[aikoels]

But how would those bars help you if you already have common sense? Unless the Chrome Extension has real-time virus monitoring I don't think I'll need it since I don't go around browsing suspicious sites

It helps on things like phishing sites if the url looks ok, it is just easy, of course you still need common sense but why not have another security blanket?

[heineygoat]

I really like the My WOT extension (world of trust). Check it out.