Avira AntiVir (free version) - Is this now adware?

I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my hosts.
Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the user to
buy into their premium version. When I went to manually update, got
an ad. Got back to the host this morning and saw another popup window
with their ad (and I wasn't even in the program this time). Don't
recall those that extol AntiVir as it being adware.

Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year. So
will I have to install yet another free version, if still available,
in a year from now? Or will their registry pollution result in
denying further installs of free versions and require upgrading (i.e.,
paying) to their premium version? I don't recall reading anywhere on
their web site that the Classic version was really a 1-year trial
version with advertisements.

In article <zJ6dncU5aLyYTqnYnZ2dnUVZ_vqdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
vanguard@domain.invalid says...
> I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my hosts.
> Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the user to
> buy into their premium version. When I went to manually update, got
> an ad. Got back to the host this morning and saw another popup window
> with their ad (and I wasn't even in the program this time). Don't
> recall those that extol AntiVir as it being adware.
>
> Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year. So
> will I have to install yet another free version, if still available,
> in a year from now? Or will their registry pollution result in
> denying further installs of free versions and require upgrading (i.e.,
> paying) to their premium version? I don't recall reading anywhere on
> their web site that the Classic version was really a 1-year trial
> version with advertisements.
>
>
The "ad" is antivirs notifier screen that does indeed advertise the
premium version and also give virus news alerts etc.It activates on
updates.Some people dont mind it considering thier getting an excellent
av in return.Some people choose to block it with hips software.Persoanlly
i dont like it.
The yearly licence for the free classic version is updated through
antivirs updater automatically ,so that you dont have to reinstll etc.
me

Vanguard wrote:
> I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my hosts.
> Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the user to buy
> into their premium version. When I went to manually update, got an ad.
> Got back to the host this morning and saw another popup window with
> their ad (and I wasn't even in the program this time). Don't recall
> those that extol AntiVir as it being adware.
>
> Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year. So
> will I have to install yet another free version, if still available, in
> a year from now? Or will their registry pollution result in denying
> further installs of free versions and require upgrading (i.e., paying)
> to their premium version? I don't recall reading anywhere on their web
> site that the Classic version was really a 1-year trial version with
> advertisements.

When the definitions file is updated, a one time instance notification
screen is displayed that can readily be closed. This does not seem to
happen if I have a thunderbird window open, but won't swear to that.
Dave Cohen

"bassbag" <bassbag@bodybags.dragon.wales> wrote in message
news:MPG.1f9f309c6884489798971d@news.ispserve.co.uk...
> In article <zJ6dncU5aLyYTqnYnZ2dnUVZ_vqdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
> vanguard@domain.invalid says...
>> I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my
>> hosts.
>> Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the user to
>> buy into their premium version. When I went to manually update,
>> got
>> an ad. Got back to the host this morning and saw another popup
>> window
>> with their ad (and I wasn't even in the program this time). Don't
>> recall those that extol AntiVir as it being adware.
>>
>> Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year.
>> So
>> will I have to install yet another free version, if still
>> available,
>> in a year from now? Or will their registry pollution result in
>> denying further installs of free versions and require upgrading
>> (i.e.,
>> paying) to their premium version? I don't recall reading anywhere
>> on
>> their web site that the Classic version was really a 1-year trial
>> version with advertisements.
>>
>>
> The "ad" is antivirs notifier screen that does indeed advertise the
> premium version and also give virus news alerts etc.It activates on
> updates.Some people dont mind it considering thier getting an
> excellent
> av in return.Some people choose to block it with hips
> software.Persoanlly
> i dont like it.
> The yearly licence for the free classic version is updated through
> antivirs updater automatically ,so that you dont have to reinstll
> etc.
> me


At one time CuteFTP was adware so instead I got SmartFTP and then went
to FileZilla. At one time back when I had dial-up, there was some
program called Call<something> that used forward-on-busy service from
your telco to redirect callers to this service to leave a 1-minute
message and I'd get notice onscreen that a call was waiting (or one
was coming it and I could put my Internet connect on hold to take the
call), but it was adware. Adware rarely ever gets put on my computer
and usually only because the author never announced it was adware.
Advertising one's own products or services still makes it adware (I
don't care about the number of advertisers or that they be different
advertisers, only that there is advertising).

Did AntiVir do advertising before Avira got their grubby
marketing-smeared hands on it?

"Dave Cohen" <user@example.net> wrote in message
news:zTfZg.3378$5h6.1954@trndny04...
> Vanguard wrote:
>> I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my
>> hosts. Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the
>> user to buy into their premium version. When I went to manually
>> update, got an ad. Got back to the host this morning and saw
>> another popup window with their ad (and I wasn't even in the
>> program this time). Don't recall those that extol AntiVir as it
>> being adware.
>>
>> Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year.
>> So will I have to install yet another free version, if still
>> available, in a year from now? Or will their registry pollution
>> result in denying further installs of free versions and require
>> upgrading (i.e., paying) to their premium version? I don't recall
>> reading anywhere on their web site that the Classic version was
>> really a 1-year trial version with advertisements.
>
> When the definitions file is updated, a one time instance
> notification screen is displayed that can readily be closed. This
> does not seem to happen if I have a thunderbird window open, but
> won't swear to that.


Except that a window appearing that isn't planned can screw up my
testing. I have automated tests that will navigate through windows
and I certainly don't need some random adware popups screwing it up.
Imagine if all the freeware shoved this nuisance in your face. For
just the free software on my host, I'd be getting ad popups from
SpamPal, FileZilla, Magic Mail Monitor, ProcessGuard, SpeedFan,
YahooPOPs, TrueCrypt, Daemon-Tools, ShadowSurfer, Virtual PC, Adobe
Reader, Google Earth and Toolbar, Java SDK, eFax, SamSpade, DivX,
IrfanView, XnView, Audacity, LavaSoft, Spybot S&D, PasswordSafe,
PDFCreator, Agent Ransack, CCleaner, 7-Zip, Eraser, and on and on.
I'd never be able to get any work done or use my own computer if every
joker that wrote "free" software shoved a popup ad in my face on use,
update, load, or wahtever event they used to trigger their unwelcome
popup windows.

It could be wonderful cake but not if you occasionally get a turd
smooshed into your face. Eat some cake, eat some more, then smoosh a
turd is shoved in your face. Presumably AntiVir isn't getting new
definitions only every month, or longer. Definitions should be
showing up as soon as another new threat is discovered and analyzed,
so definitions should be showing up every one or few days. That means
I get the joy of having to close their popup ad on every definition
update. Oh joy. Guess I'll wipe off the turd and start looking
elsewhere for cake.

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping that I had stepped into a turd
but only once and it wouldn't appear again; i.e., maybe they would
prompt once upon starting to use their free version to tell you of
their glorious paid version. When the geese crap all over the
sidewalk to my favorite side door to get into where I work, eventually
stepping around them is too much of a hassle and I'll pick another
door.

"Vanguard" <vanguard@domain.invalid> wrote in message
news:zJ6dncU5aLyYTqnYnZ2dnUVZ_vqdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my hosts.
>Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the user to buy
>into their premium version. When I went to manually update, got an ad.
>Got back to the host this morning and saw another popup window with their
>ad (and I wasn't even in the program this time). Don't recall those that
>extol AntiVir as it being adware.
>
> Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year. So
> will I have to install yet another free version, if still available, in a
> year from now? Or will their registry pollution result in denying further
> installs of free versions and require upgrading (i.e., paying) to their
> premium version? I don't recall reading anywhere on their web site that
> the Classic version was really a 1-year trial version with advertisements.
There is a way to disable the popup:
http://www.ghacks.net/2006/07/16/how...up-in-antivir/
although this method does not work on xp home, only pro.
It is possible to disable avnotify on xp home,the method is:

1) Boot into safe mode

2) Log in as "Administrator"

3) Go to C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe right
click on it in explorer go to properties->security->Advanced-> edit then
select the option to not let it execute for all users.

Reboot into regular windows and you are good to go.

Vanguard wrote:
> "Dave Cohen" <user@example.net> wrote in message
> news:zTfZg.3378$5h6.1954@trndny04...
>> Vanguard wrote:
>>> I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my hosts.
>>> Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the user to
>>> buy into their premium version. When I went to manually update, got
>>> an ad. Got back to the host this morning and saw another popup
>>> window with their ad (and I wasn't even in the program this time).
>>> Don't recall those that extol AntiVir as it being adware.
>>>
>>> Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year. So
>>> will I have to install yet another free version, if still available,
>>> in a year from now? Or will their registry pollution result in
>>> denying further installs of free versions and require upgrading
>>> (i.e., paying) to their premium version? I don't recall reading
>>> anywhere on their web site that the Classic version was really a
>>> 1-year trial version with advertisements.
>>
>> When the definitions file is updated, a one time instance notification
>> screen is displayed that can readily be closed. This does not seem to
>> happen if I have a thunderbird window open, but won't swear to that.
>
>
> Except that a window appearing that isn't planned can screw up my
> testing. I have automated tests that will navigate through windows and
> I certainly don't need some random adware popups screwing it up. Imagine
> if all the freeware shoved this nuisance in your face. For just the
> free software on my host, I'd be getting ad popups from SpamPal,
> FileZilla, Magic Mail Monitor, ProcessGuard, SpeedFan, YahooPOPs,
> TrueCrypt, Daemon-Tools, ShadowSurfer, Virtual PC, Adobe Reader, Google
> Earth and Toolbar, Java SDK, eFax, SamSpade, DivX, IrfanView, XnView,
> Audacity, LavaSoft, Spybot S&D, PasswordSafe, PDFCreator, Agent Ransack,
> CCleaner, 7-Zip, Eraser, and on and on. I'd never be able to get any
> work done or use my own computer if every joker that wrote "free"
> software shoved a popup ad in my face on use, update, load, or wahtever
> event they used to trigger their unwelcome popup windows.
>
> It could be wonderful cake but not if you occasionally get a turd
> smooshed into your face. Eat some cake, eat some more, then smoosh a
> turd is shoved in your face. Presumably AntiVir isn't getting new
> definitions only every month, or longer. Definitions should be showing
> up as soon as another new threat is discovered and analyzed, so
> definitions should be showing up every one or few days. That means I
> get the joy of having to close their popup ad on every definition
> update. Oh joy. Guess I'll wipe off the turd and start looking
> elsewhere for cake.
>
> Thanks for the replies. I was hoping that I had stepped into a turd but
> only once and it wouldn't appear again; i.e., maybe they would prompt
> once upon starting to use their free version to tell you of their
> glorious paid version. When the geese crap all over the sidewalk to my
> favorite side door to get into where I work, eventually stepping around
> them is too much of a hassle and I'll pick another door.

I see you also complained bitterly in another post. Look, nobody is
forcing you to use anything. If you're not happy just demand your money
back (sorry, I forgot - it's free).
Dave Cohen

leon wrote:
> "Vanguard" <vanguard@domain.invalid> wrote in message
> news:zJ6dncU5aLyYTqnYnZ2dnUVZ_vqdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my hosts.
>> Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the user to buy
>> into their premium version. When I went to manually update, got an ad.
>> Got back to the host this morning and saw another popup window with their
>> ad (and I wasn't even in the program this time). Don't recall those that
>> extol AntiVir as it being adware.
>>
>> Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year. So
>> will I have to install yet another free version, if still available, in a
>> year from now? Or will their registry pollution result in denying further
>> installs of free versions and require upgrading (i.e., paying) to their
>> premium version? I don't recall reading anywhere on their web site that
>> the Classic version was really a 1-year trial version with advertisements.
> There is a way to disable the popup:
> http://www.ghacks.net/2006/07/16/how...up-in-antivir/
> although this method does not work on xp home, only pro.
> It is possible to disable avnotify on xp home,the method is:
>
> 1) Boot into safe mode
>
> 2) Log in as "Administrator"
>
> 3) Go to C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe right
> click on it in explorer go to properties->security->Advanced-> edit then
> select the option to not let it execute for all users.
>
> Reboot into regular windows and you are good to go.
>
>
I should have included this in my response to Vanguard. Believe it or
not I actually like that window, it confirms a successful update was
made. Note, the window on top right of screen goes away so that doesn't
give me that confirmation.
Dave Cohen

In article <E7udnTClANMlBajYnZ2dnUVZ_qSdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
vanguard@domain.invalid says...
> "bassbag" <bassbag@bodybags.dragon.wales> wrote in message
> news:MPG.1f9f309c6884489798971d@news.ispserve.co.uk...
> > In article <zJ6dncU5aLyYTqnYnZ2dnUVZ_vqdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
> > vanguard@domain.invalid says...
> >> I installed the free (Classic) version of AntiVir on one of my
> >> hosts.
> >> Seemed okay but it seems plagued with ads trying to get the user to
> >> buy into their premium version. When I went to manually update,
> >> got
> >> an ad. Got back to the host this morning and saw another popup
> >> window
> >> with their ad (and I wasn't even in the program this time). Don't
> >> recall those that extol AntiVir as it being adware.
> >>
> >> Also, when checking its info, this installation expires in 1 year.
> >> So
> >> will I have to install yet another free version, if still
> >> available,
> >> in a year from now? Or will their registry pollution result in
> >> denying further installs of free versions and require upgrading
> >> (i.e.,
> >> paying) to their premium version? I don't recall reading anywhere
> >> on
> >> their web site that the Classic version was really a 1-year trial
> >> version with advertisements.
> >>
> >>
> > The "ad" is antivirs notifier screen that does indeed advertise the
> > premium version and also give virus news alerts etc.It activates on
> > updates.Some people dont mind it considering thier getting an
> > excellent
> > av in return.Some people choose to block it with hips
> > software.Persoanlly
> > i dont like it.
> > The yearly licence for the free classic version is updated through
> > antivirs updater automatically ,so that you dont have to reinstll
> > etc.
> > me
>
>
> At one time CuteFTP was adware so instead I got SmartFTP and then went
> to FileZilla. At one time back when I had dial-up, there was some
> program called Call<something> that used forward-on-busy service from
> your telco to redirect callers to this service to leave a 1-minute
> message and I'd get notice onscreen that a call was waiting (or one
> was coming it and I could put my Internet connect on hold to take the
> call), but it was adware. Adware rarely ever gets put on my computer
> and usually only because the author never announced it was adware.
> Advertising one's own products or services still makes it adware (I
> don't care about the number of advertisers or that they be different
> advertisers, only that there is advertising).
>
> Did AntiVir do advertising before Avira got their grubby
> marketing-smeared hands on it?
>
>
It could be worse...you could actually pay for an av and get an "ad" oops
security centre built in .
me

Dave Cohen wrote:
>
> I see you also complained bitterly in another post. Look, nobody is
> forcing you to use anything. If you're not happy just demand your money
> back (sorry, I forgot - it's free).

I warned the other poster that AntiVir is now adware. Did you so
notify that poster? Did Avira? No, and not everyone wants adware on
their host or, at least, they would like the option to make a
*informed* decision BEFORE installing the software. I provided
information that has, so far, been hidden [by Avira] from prospective
users. So mentioning that a product is adware is considered a "bitter"
post? Are you spammer friendly, too? You have way too sensitive an
ego. Did I say your choice to continue using this product was a bad
choice for you? I said it was a bad choice for *me*. You do not have
the savoir faire needed for exaggeration. I complained about the
product, not about you (until now).

Yep, I did get my money back - in the form of the disk space consumed
by this adware product. Thanks for the adivce. No one is forcing you
to use AntiVir, either, or Windows, or Redhat, or Bit Torrent or
anything else that consumes your disk space that YOU chose to install.
Idiots or the obtuse try to pretend that has any relevance regarding
software that is obviously ALWAYS a optional choice by the user. Free
or paid software can be good or bad, and some good software has
blemishes, sometimes obvious and sometimes not.. Price is irrelevant.

leon wrote:
<snip>
> 3) Go to C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe right
> click on it in explorer go to properties->security->Advanced-> edit then
> select the option to not let it execute for all users.
>
> Reboot into regular windows and you are good to go.

Interesting. So a separate executable is used just for the ad & notify
window? Weird. Actually I could probably do the same in ProcessGuard
by preventing this executable from ever loading (like I do for
Microsoft's wgatray.exe). Hopefully preventing this .exe from ever
loading (using either method) does not cripple or otherwise detract
from the use and update of this program.

As a related issue, when you look in Task Manager's Process tab, how
much memory are all the AntiVir processes consuming on your host?

"Vanguard" <ky9bglu02@sneakemail.com> wrote in message
news:1161207894.518654.217350@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
> leon wrote:
> <snip>
>> 3) Go to C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
>> right
>> click on it in explorer go to properties->security->Advanced-> edit then
>> select the option to not let it execute for all users.
>>
>> Reboot into regular windows and you are good to go.
>
> Interesting. So a separate executable is used just for the ad & notify
> window? Weird. Actually I could probably do the same in ProcessGuard
> by preventing this executable from ever loading (like I do for
> Microsoft's wgatray.exe). Hopefully preventing this .exe from ever
> loading (using either method) does not cripple or otherwise detract
> from the use and update of this program.
>
> As a related issue, when you look in Task Manager's Process tab, how
> much memory are all the AntiVir processes consuming on your host?
>

Process guard would probably do the same.
Task manager shows:
Avgnt - 508k
Avguard - 3,800k
Sched - 3,500k