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Avast forum: Avast Anti-Virus

by: pcrowell December 29, 2011 3:26 AM PST

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Avast Anti-Virus

by pcrowell - 12/29/11 3:26 AM

My computer showed a virus, even though I have Avast Anti Virus installed. Avast then requested you buy the program in order to get rid of the virus. I thought this program was free, but it has essentially hijacked my computer. I cannot do anything on my computer - cannot delete the program, log onto the internet, or anything else. By the way, this happened on my mother's computer, not mine. I am thinking there is not really a virus, but they are wanting you to buy the program and they have hijacked her computer until payment is received. Could you tell me if this is normal, I have never run up against this before.
Pam Crowell


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Re: virus

by Kees_B Moderator - 12/29/11 3:53 AM

In Reply to: Avast Anti-Virus by pcrowell

I don't think it's Avast asking you to pay. I think it's the program your mother downloaded and installed (by accident and unintended, no doubt). There are a lot of such programs, commonly called scareware or rogue; see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scareware for example.

How to get rid of it depends on what program it is. You didn't tell that. So please go to our malware forum http://forums.cnet.com/spyware-viruses-security-forum/ and make a new post with more details there.

Kees


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avast! Anti Virus

by bob3160 - 12/30/11 1:55 PM

In Reply to: Avast Anti-Virus by pcrowell

As a long time user of the free version of avast! I can definitely agree with Kees_B that the request for money is not from Avast. avast! has been protecting my computer for 8 years and Avast has never asked for money to remove anything.
The rogue program your Mom accidently installed is the culprit.
The pop up probably scared your Mom into thinking that her computer was infected and instead of ignoring the false warnings, she opened the door and let the malware in.
Free help is also available on the avast! Help Forums.
Click here to get to The Virus and Worms section of the forum.


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another subscribtion

by engtianxi - 6/30/12 4:34 AM

In Reply to: Avast Anti-Virus by pcrowell

Instead of using Avast, you can purchase N360. The N360 features is "unique" but nothing is the "best".

The main features are:
1. PC security
2. Identity Protection
3. Backup
4. PC tuneup


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Why?

by MarkFlax Moderator - 6/30/12 4:37 AM

In Reply to: another subscribtion by engtianxi

There's been no suggestion that the OP was looking to change anti-virus suites.

Mark


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because

by engtianxi - 6/30/12 4:52 AM

In Reply to: Why? by MarkFlax Moderator

Because N360 has unique features. But you need to but the Norton 360 product key to start using N360.


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because

by bob3160 - 6/30/12 7:42 AM

In Reply to: because by engtianxi

@engtianix
I think you're posting in the wrong section. Symantec has their own forum.....
Trying to push Symantec onto an avast! user is like trying to feed sour grapes to a baby.


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no,...

by engtianxi - 6/30/12 3:59 PM

In Reply to: because by bob3160

No, I just come to this forum section to alert all the Avast! subscribers to change their subscribtion to Norton 360. But, you must buy N360 product key before you use the software.


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Re: unique

by Kees_B Moderator - 7/1/12 2:39 AM

In Reply to: because by engtianxi

I can't see anything unique in backup, nor about tune up. For backup there are many free solutions (like, by the way, for security and indentity protection) and most tuneup programs aren't worth their money.

So I don't see a single reason to buy N360.

Kees


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