Avast Online Security and Avast Secure Browser are spying on you

[artek]

Avast Online Security and Avast Secure Browser are spying on you

Avast Online Security (standalone and built into Avast Secure Browser) siphons out your entire browsing behavior. No, this isn't necessary for it to do its job.

palant.de

Thoughts? TBH I"d be surprised if they're the only vendor doing this.

 

[SeriousHoax]

Most of us know AVAST is one of the worst AV when it comes to user privacy so this is not surprising. Surely many other AV does this too with or without extension installed.

 

[artek]

Most of us know AVAST is one of the worst AV when it comes to user privacy so this is not surprising. Surely many other AV does this too with or without extension installed.

I guess it depends on how they do it. Any AV that scans your webtraffic would be suspect to me unless they handle it like Emsisoft does.

 

[SeriousHoax]

I guess it depends on how they do it. Any AV that scans your webtraffic would be suspect to me unless they handle it like Emsisoft does.

Yes that's correct. Sometimes it's necessary to collect some data but surely not the way Avast does. Emsisoft is one of the good guys.

 

[EndangeredPootis]

Most of us know AVAST is one of the worst AV when it comes to user privacy so this is not surprising. Surely many other AV does this too with or without extension installed.

Only kaspersky does the same thing, selling its user data to advertisers

 

[SeriousHoax]

Only kaspersky does the same thing, selling its user data to advertisers

I doubt Kaspersky is the only one. Bitdefender probably does something similar with their TrafficLight extension and maybe even with their free AV. Anyway, I don't know for sure so anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[eonline]

TrafficLight extension

I think Fabian in this forum commented something about that extension, but we should look for his comment.

 

[RejZoR]

The reason why avast! collects so much data is context. If you just detect one thing, you have no idea from where and how it got to that point. And having wider context is a key to fighting phishing, malware and fraud unfortunately. You need to know how user got to that point. Just being there doesn't tell you much if anything.

 

[SeriousHoax]

The reason why avast! collects so much data is context. If you just detect one thing, you have no idea from where and how it got to that point. And having wider context is a key to fighting phishing, malware and fraud unfortunately. You need to know how user got to that point. Just being there doesn't tell you much if anything.

I said in a previous comment that sometimes it's necessary to collect some data which is fine. But identifying each user with an unique id, keeping their records, selling that data to a third party aren't what an antivirus should do.

 

[omidomi]

Come on NSA toolbar , Come on
Avast just spy on you for more protection , do't be paranoid