[Ally]

You're welcome Judy.

[Earth]

Ally, on 22 February 2012 - 06:50 PM, said:

Then you are ahead of the game, Earth!

I trust them with nothing

[InsideMoon]

Thanks, Ally. Great, timely information!

[Ally]

You're welcome Moon.

[W3FSY]

Surprise! Surprise!

On Friday Feb. 24th, I updated my free Avast! 7 AV program via the GUI from version 6. Near the end of the update, I got a message that I was almost finished with my AV updating. Low and behold there was a "Opt out" for Google and I thought it was for Google "Chrome" browser which I did not want installed being a happy Firefox browser user. The popped up screen did not allow time to remove the checks from the forced install provided by Google with help from Avast!. I logged off and restarted the computer thinking I had completed my Avast! AV Updating and after restarting, I went to my son's "Limited Account" to check his account and all of a sudden, I noticed Google was installing to his account that has no Administrator rights for installing and removal of programs. I immediately did a manual "crash" and blocked all entries in my Online Armor firewall having to do with "Google Update". I thought it was trying to install Chrome in my Firefox folders as there was an add-on showing on all (3) user accounts. I left the update "blocked" for (4) days through use of my firewall. Google Update kept trying to install as I noticed it in my OA Firewall History. I spent days reading posts on Google and also at Avast! forum as I thought I was going to have to re-install my Firefox browser. After 4 days, I thought if it was only installing an update to Firefox on all 3 accounts, I would remove unblock the update.

I have to note that unlike some, I was not offered Chrome browser, but just the "Google Update to Firefox" due to using Google's "Search Engine" even though I never sign in and have no account with Google. After reading posts at Google and Mozilla Firefox forums, I found others that were upset as well with Google as it was a "forced update". All the time, I had no trouble with updating to the latest version of Avast!7 AV and everything worked faultless with the AV program that I consider outstanding for over 4 years.

My question is does anyone use "start page" search engine enhanced by Google??
I read it provides "better privacy" and less tracking. I had planned on using it on Firefox as my Start Page for engine searches. I see it is provided by "Go Daddy".

Ron

[Ally]

Ron, I don't use Avast, but I did find this information...

The release of Avast 7 has caused anger and confusion because Google Chrome was installed in a sneaky way during updates or new installations. Some users on the other hand reported that the application did not install or update correctly. The installation basically hangs and exits with an error message. So, a lot of folks were left with corrupted installations.

The core issue is that it isn't possible to update the program. Some users have experienced other issues as well, like crashing third party applications, slow system starts or shutdowns or related issues. From what I've read, you can solve the problem by running the Avast software removal tool here:

http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

A clean install of Avast 7 should then run through without problems.

Avast has also released a Fix Update utility for users of Avast 6 and Avast 7 who are experiencing issues with their antivirus.

Here are the instructions on how to use the fix:

Avast 7: Run Fix Update first, then go Maintenance > Update and click on Update Program. This should resolve the issue.

Avast 6: Run the Fix Update program as well. You will then be asked whether you want to update to Avast 7. Click Yes and the update will be installed. This can take a few minutes before the update completes. Restart the computer in the end to complete the update.

[W3FSY]

Thanks for the quick reply, Ally.

I'm aware of the info you passed along. The Avast 7! program works as it should. ("Streaming Cloud" updates, daily updates, shields work properly, exclusions of other programs and the new version provides scans with no problems.)

I was wondering is anyone familiar with "start page" search engine? Ever hear of it, Ally? I saw it mentioned at Mozilla Firefox forum. They only offer search feature and no News, YouTube, etc.

[Ally]

No, sorry Ron, I haven't. Maybe some of the others here have used it though.

[Rainbow]

I hadn't heard of it before, but checked it out. It seems like a good deal.
Here's a link with information about it.
https://startingpage.com/eng/

[W3FSY]

Just a note, Rainbow and Ally.

I've been using "startpage" search engine on all (3) Users Accounts (Firefox browser) for several days now. Seems to work nicely without the offering to download "Chrome" browser every time one uses Google search engine. WOT and Avast!'s "Web Rep" are displayed with doing searches as well.

Ron

[Ally]

Glad it's worked out for you Ron.

[Rainbow]

I've been using it too Ron, and like it also.