AVG to flog your web browsing, search history from mid-October

englishhippy

englishhippy

Vital Youth Team
Changes in the privacy policy of AVG's free antivirus doodad will allow it to collect your web browsing and search history – and sell it to advertisers to bankroll its freemium security software products,The changes will come into play on 15 October.

The revised privacy policy,The key paragraph extracted:
We collect non-personal data to make money from our free offerings so we can keep them free, including: •Advertising ID associated with your device.
•Browsing and search history, including meta data.
•Internet service provider or mobile network you use to connect to our products.
•Information regarding other applications you may have on your device and how they are used.

AVG will also collect and broker information about other apps its finds on a user's device. The security software firm will not be selling personal information such as names, emails, addresses, or payment card details, while admitting that some of this private information may possibly be exposed or inferred from one's browsing history.

Its a sign of the times, and I thought we used to have actual data protection laws.
 
wow... not good at all.

Big thing this data stuff now, massive money for those who exploit it.
 
I moved to Avast some time ago, and now glad I did. AVG is quite intrusive.

Mind you, Avast is becoming a pain in the backside, trying to add extensions and add ons to your browser. It is great at it's job, but you have to watch what it's installing.
 
I'm same as you Heath, I deleted AVG and installed Avast mainly due to AVG seemed to be slowing down my laptop.
 
Fulford - 22/9/2015 10:12

I'm same as you Heath, I deleted AVG and installed Avast mainly due to AVG seemed to be slowing down my laptop.
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Yep, AVG was very slow, and updates were not easy.

How do you find Avast? It has great protection, but I find the Google Toolbar installation, which I couldn't see a way of stopping, and the safe shopper extension too much. I just want it to sit in the background and do it's job. I suppose it has to raise revenue somehow, but go too far, and people move away.
 
I stick with norton worth the investment cos never had a problem in years
 
I like it Heath, I don't mind having the google toolbar but I think if you go into programs and features you can get rid if you don't want it. Are you using the free version.
 
I used to have Norton which was free with the laptop but found it missed quite a few things.
 
Fulford - 22/9/2015 10:36

I like it Heath, I don't mind having the google toolbar but I think if you go into programs and features you can get rid if you don't want it. Are you using the free version.
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Yeah, I uninstalled it straight away, but normally there is the option not to install it in the first place. I thought there were rules on it, and you had to have the option to choose. It is the free one, but still, I would expect a check box I can untick, at the very least.

Norton is awful, along with McAfee. They are both massive hogs of system resources. Avast consistently comes near the top of every test, and you hardly notice it. It's a no brainer.
 
I use the free Avast its fairly easy and simple to use just have to ignore the ad promts asking you to upgrade to the paid pro version

To turn off the ads and update notifications go to Settings > Update > Details and uncheck the "Show Notification Box After Automatic Update" box.
Also I would recommend turning off the sound settings under Appearance/sounds and turn off Avasts's sounds the voice over is uber annoying.
 
HeathfieldRoad1874 - 22/9/2015 10:47

Fulford - 22/9/2015 10:36

I like it Heath, I don't mind having the google toolbar but I think if you go into programs and features you can get rid if you don't want it. Are you using the free version.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I uninstalled it straight away, but normally there is the option not to install it in the first place. I thought there were rules on it, and you had to have the option to choose. It is the free one, but still, I would expect a check box I can untick, at the very least.

Norton is awful, along with McAfee. They are both massive hogs of system resources. Avast consistently comes near the top of every test, and you hardly notice it. It's a no brainer.
Click to expand...

You've sold it to me Heath.
Deleting AVG now. A massive memory drain.
AVAST here I come
 
Villa_Grizzly - 22/9/2015 11:35

HeathfieldRoad1874 - 22/9/2015 10:47

Fulford - 22/9/2015 10:36

I like it Heath, I don't mind having the google toolbar but I think if you go into programs and features you can get rid if you don't want it. Are you using the free version.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I uninstalled it straight away, but normally there is the option not to install it in the first place. I thought there were rules on it, and you had to have the option to choose. It is the free one, but still, I would expect a check box I can untick, at the very least.

Norton is awful, along with McAfee. They are both massive hogs of system resources. Avast consistently comes near the top of every test, and you hardly notice it. It's a no brainer.
Click to expand...

You've sold it to me Heath.
Deleting AVG now. A massive memory drain.
AVAST here I come
Click to expand...

Good news. Hope you notice the difference!!!!
 
Hmm shall have a word with my eldest about this when we get home. We are all with AVG paid for type. My eldest is a mid line manager in software developing so he will know more and advise us accordingly
 
Hmm shall have a word with my eldest about this when we get home. We are all with AVG paid for type. My eldest is a mid line manager in software developing so he will know more and advise us accordingly
 
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