We warned you at the beginning of the year that many of your browser extensions are spying on you, tracking what you are visiting, and even inserting ads into pages. These aren’t just no-name developers either: even Avast, one of the most trusted antivirus vendors was in on the game.
Update 2: We just want to point out that this happened in the past, and Avast has cleaned up their act. They have a decent product, and while you can read this for historical purposes, you should know that many of the other antivirus vendors are doing worse things.
Avast 5.x - Home - Free - Stop the Shields you do not use (except File, Web, Network, & Behavior) - double click the Orange Icon in Notification Area - Real Time Shields - click the Shield you want to stop - STOP. The Web Shield in Avast Antivirus monitors your Internet activity and blocks URLs of known dangerous sites before your computer loads them. This prevents any risk of infection from these sites.
Avast 5.x - Home - Free - Stop the Shields you do not use (except File, Web, Network, & Behavior) - double click the Orange Icon in Notification Area - Real Time Shields - click the Shield you want to stop. The lack of experience Avast has shown in dealing with the Mac platform was very clearly demonstrated by the Avast representative whom made several obvious errors in their attempts to discredit Thomas Reed, Who has always been a trusted source of good quality technical information on Mac security. Avast Antivirus shields actively analyze suspicious information coming and going from your PC, as well as potentially malicious content stored within it. These components detect and block malicious files, dangerous websites, unauthorized connections, and other threats.
Update: Avast has posted a response to our article on their forum. We stand by our article and our research with the exception of one very inconsequential technical detail that we have updated below. The purpose of writing these types of articles isn’t to be vindictive — we just honestly want to make the world a better place for PC users.
Before we go even one step further, it’s important to note that they recently disabled the spying “shopping” feature in their browser extension. So if you are running the latest Chrome with extensions updated, you are fine. For now.
So Avast has stopped integrating the spying extension, but this is about the principle: you should be able to trust your antivirus provider. Why are they adding a feature that spies on your browsing, inserts ads… and all without properly notifying you?
And why, at the same time, are they claiming to stop spyware, even uninstalling other shopping extensions from other vendors, while they were doing the same thing they are supposed to stop?
On our test system, the only spyware and crapware that Avast actually detected and removed were the ones that competed with their own shopping extension.
Avast Online Security Extension Added a “Shopping” Component
About a week ago, we were playing around with installing a lot of nonsense from crapware sites, so we loaded up trusty Avast antivirus to see how much of the malware it would actually catch during the process. We were shocked to find out that some of the adware wasn’t from a third-party, but from Avast itself.
The problem lies in the SafePrice component of their Online Security extension, which adds shopping recommendations (ads) as you are browsing around the web.
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Here’s the thing: many people actually want shopping extensions that help them find better prices — in fact, one of the HTG staff writers recently asked me what was the best way to find better prices. As a standalone product, if you specifically and deliberately choose to install something like this, there’s nothing wrong with it.
The problem is that Avast snuck this component in to their browser extensions that have at least 10 million users for the Chrome version alone. And then they enabled it by default.
Note: as we were doing research for this article, they updated their extension to not include the shopping feature, but it was there since maybe around last December.
Spying, You Say?
You might remember earlier how we said that this extension is spying on you and, unlike many websites, we’re definitely not going to make some claim like that without proof of what is really going on. So we loaded up Fiddler to see what’s really going on behind the scenes and under the hood and behind the curtain.
Avast For Mac: What Do Blue Shields Info Means In Urdu
As it turns out, every single URL that you visit was being sent to Avast servers — first there would be a check to /urlinfo on one of their servers, passing in a unique ID that represents you on every single request. In this way they can build a list of every single page you have ever visited. They claim on their web site that they remove all personally identifying information, but how, exactly, are they able to do that when they are tracking every single page you visit and sending back that URL with a unique ID to represent you?
Update: Avast contacted us to point out that the /urlinfo page that we showed in the screenshot is actually part of their security extension, which does make sense. The /offers page, however, is sending back data as well.
That unique tracking ID is the biggest problem here: while it might not identify you by name, it’s enough to tie your whole browsing history together, and that’s a scary thing.
And remember, you didn’t ask for this. You just wanted to keep yourself safe online with a trusted antivirus provider.
The Bottom Line: Browser Extensions Have Wayyyy Too Much Power
RELATED:Warning: Your Browser Extensions Are Spying On You
This behavior, while ridiculous and sad from a company you should trust, isn’t new at all. Almost every product and service on the Internet and almost every browser extension, app, and website, are doing some form of tracking. Here on How-To Geek we use Google Analytics to see our site statistics, and our advertisers probably use a lot of other tracking that we can’t control. And it’s the same with every single web site.
Personal information and big data have become the standard; because after all: if a product is free, the real product is you. If you are browsing and reading a completely free web site, it’s not that big of a deal… after all, sites like ours need to pay our writers, and advertisements are the only way to do that. The problem is when it’s across everything you do.
The problem is that most browser extensions have access to everything you are seeing on the Internet, across every web site. And they aren’t properly disclosing this to you.
So the next time an extension says it can “Read and modify all your data on the websites you visit”, perhaps you should click that “Remove from Chrome” button instead.
Important: Some individuals have actually specified that avast! Avast for mac. Free Antivirus is not complimentary or it’s not being a really complete antivirus program.
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Hi, Crash List - Created by using BlueScreenView
Results verified with WinDBG, DumpCHK, and BlueScreenView. The Bug_Check was 24 0x00000024 with CAUSE ntfs.sys which is a Windows component meaning something else drove it to fault. The process running was ccSVChst.exe which is part of Norton/ Symantec and that was likely to be the real CAUSE or at least aggravating the issue.
Avast for mac customer service number. Norton/Symantec often causes issues so I would uninstall it. You can't really disable it as it will still load pieces of itself into memory. Uninstall it and then run the Norton Removal Tool to prevent trouble causing remnants which can cause strange issues. Below are recommendations to use while testing, even better permanently. List of anti-malware program cleanup/uninstall tools http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/407bf6da-c05d-4546-8788-0aa4c25a1f91/ Norton Removal Tool http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN&ln=en_US ------------------------------ Here is what I use and recommend : (These are all Free versions and very effective.)
Avast and Prevx have proven extremely reliable and compatible with everything I have
thrown at them. Microsoft Security Essentials and Prevx have also proven to be very reliable and compatible. Use MSE and Prevx or Avast and Prevx however not all 3. Avast Home Free - stop any shields you do not need except leave Standard, Web, and Network running.
Prevx - Home - Free
Windows Firewall
Avast For Mac: What Do Blue Shields Info Meaning
Windows Defender (not needed if using MSE)
IE - Protected Mode
IE 8 - SmartScreen Filter ON (IE 7 Phishing Filter)
I also have IE to always start with InPrivate Filter active if IE 8.
(You occasionally have to turn it temporarily off with the little Icon on LEFT of the + bottom right of IE) Two versions of Avast are available 5.x and 4.8x Avast 5.x - Home - Free - Stop the Shields you do not use (except File, Web, Network, & Behavior) - double click the Orange Icon in Notification Area - Real Time Shields - click the Shield you want to stop - STOP. To stop the Orange Icon from showing an error indicator - click the Orange Icon - Upper Right - Settings - click Status Bar - uncheck the Shields you disabled - click OK http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download Avast 4.8x - Home - Free - stop any shields you do not need except leave Standard, Web, and Network running. (Double Click Blue icon - details next to OK. - upper left Shields - Terminate those you do not use.) http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4 Or use Microsoft Security Essentials - Free http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/ Prevx works well along side Avast or MSE Prevx - Home - Free small, fast, exceptional CLOUD protection, works with other security programs. This is a scanner only, VERY EFFECTIVE, if it finds something come back here or use Google to see how to remove. http://www.prevx.com/ <-- information http://info.prevx.com/downloadcsi.asp <-- download PCmag - Prevx - Editor'a Choice http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346862,00.asp
Also get Malwarebytes - free - use as scanner only. If you ever suspect malware, and that
would be unsual with Avast and Prevx running except for an occasional low level cookie (no big deal), UPDATE it and then run it as a scanner. I have many scanners and they never find anything of note since I started using this setup.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
For further troubleshooting : Remove ALL power and reseat the cards, memory, and cables (on both ends when possible) and make sure the fans are working. Try adding a fan blowing into the vents to see if heat has a role (even though it may not seem too hot does not mean that heat is not an issue as hardware can be reacting in an unusual manner). Those are for a PC, on a laptop about all you can do is reseat the memory, clear the vents, and try adding a small fan.
Use the methods such as SFC, CheckDisk, Driver Updates, and others in the troubleshooter
referred to in this link as they will help solve or at least narrow down the issues. After those you can post the information from BlueScreenView and these other utilities so we can offer more specific advice. Of course checking with a real computer shop or Motherboard Maker's Support would be a good idea however I would try the possible solutions you can first.
Check this thread for information using BlueScreenView, MyEventViewer and other methods
to troubleshoot BlueScreens - top 3 replies (+1 other). http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistarepair/thread/3deab2fa-4000-4136-8c78-a3d22b1db009
The primary cause of this Bug_Check is disk issues however it can be caused by memory problems
and even antivirus/antispyware/security programs. ----------------------------------- BCCode: 24 0x00000024 Cause
One possible cause of this bug check is disk corruption. Corruption in the NTFS file system or bad blocks (sectors) on the hard disk can induce this error. Corrupted SCSI and IDE drivers can also adversely affect the system's ability to read and write to disk, thus causing the error.
Another possible cause is depletion of nonpaged pool memory. If the nonpaged pool memory is completely depleted, this error can stop the system. However, during the indexing process, if the amount of available nonpaged pool memory is very low, another kernel-mode driver requiring nonpaged pool memory can also trigger this error.
Resolving the Problem
To debug this problem: Use the .cxr (Display Context Record) command with Parameter 3, and then use the kb (Display Stack Trace) command.
To resolve a disk corruption problem: Check Event Viewer for error messages from SCSI and FASTFAT (System Log) or Autochk (Application Log) that might help pinpoint the device or driver that is causing the error. Try disabling any virus scanners, backup programs, or disk defragmenter tools that continually monitor the system. You should also run hardware diagnostics supplied by the system manufacturer. For details on these procedures, see the owner's manual for your computer. RunChkdsk /f /r to detect and resolve any file system structural corruption. You must restart the system before the disk scan begins on a system partition.
To resolve a nonpaged pool memory depletion problem: Either add new physical memory to the computer (thus increasing the quantity of nonpaged pool memory available to the kernel), or reduce the number of files on the Services for Macintosh (SFM) volume.
BCCode: 24 0x00000024 <-- read this link http://www.faultwire.com/solutions-fatal_error/NTFS-FILE-SYSTEM-0x00000024-*1051.html?order=votes Look in the Event Viewer to see if anything is reported about those. http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vista_event_viewer.htm MyEventViewer - Free - a simple alternative to the standard event viewer of Windows. TIP - Options - Advanced Filter allows you to see a time frame instead of the whole file. http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/my_event_viewer.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some methods to possibly fix the blue screen issue. If you could give the Blue Screen info that would help. Such as the BCC and the other 4 entries on the lower left. And any other error information such as STOP codes and info such as IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA and similar messages. As examples : BCCode: 116 BCP1: 87BC9510 BCP2: 8C013D80 BCP3: 00000000 BCP4: 00000002
or in this format :
Stop: 0x00000000 (oxoooooooo oxoooooooo oxooooooooo oxoooooooo)
tcpip.sys - Address 0x00000000 base at 0x000000000 DateStamp 0x000000000 This is an excellent tool for posting Blue Screen Error Information BlueScreenView scans all your minidump files created during 'blue screen of death' crashes, and displays the information about all crashes in one table - Free http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html Many BlueScreens are caused by old or corrupted drivers, especially video drivers however there are other causes. You can do these in Safe Mode if needed or from Command Prompt from Vista DVD or Recovery Options if your system has that installed by the maker. How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html You can try a System Restore back to a point before the problem started if there is one. How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Start - type this in Search Box -> COMMAND find at top and RIGHT CLICK - RUN AS ADMIN Enter this at the prompt - sfc /scannow Avast For Mac: What Do Blue Shields Info Means
How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista cbs.log (and Windows 7) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228 The log might give you the answer if there was a corrupted driver. (Does not tell all the possible driver issues). Also run CheckDisk so we can rule out corruption as much as possible. How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Windows 7 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Often updating drivers will help, usually Video, Sound, Network Card (NIC), WiFi, 3rd party keyboard and mouse, as well as other major device drivers. Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites. http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm
How to Install a Device Driver in Vista Device Manager (also Windows 7)
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html
How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows Vista - Drivers
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730606(WS.10).aspx ------------------------------------------------------------------------- How to fix BlueScreen (STOP) errors that cause Windows Vista to shut down or restart unexpectedly http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958233 Troubleshooting Vista Blue Screen, STOP Errors (and Windows 7) http://www.chicagotech.net/vista/vistabluescreen.htm Understanding and Decoding BSOD (blue screen of death) Messages http://www.taranfx.com/blog/?p=692 Windows - Troubleshooting Blue Screen Errors http://kb.wisc.edu/page.php?id=7033 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In some cases this might be required. StartUp Repair from Recovery Options or Windows 7 disk How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html
How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html
How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html Hope this helps. Comments are closed.
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