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Millions of Avast antivirus software customers are getting a refund. Here's why
CBS NEWS ^ | February 24, 2025 | Kate Gibson

Posted on 02/24/2025 6:45:52 PM PST by ransomnote

Nearly 3.7 million consumers who bought the software from Avast between August 2014 and January 2020 can expect emails to arrive in their inboxes this week or next notifying them of their eligibility to apply for compensation, the FTC stated.

According to regulators, Avast for years collected information on customers through its antivirus software and browser extensions including data on:


(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: avast; nofreelunch; privacy; spying; windows; windowspinglist; youaretheproduct
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1 posted on 02/24/2025 6:45:52 PM PST by ransomnote
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To: ransomnote

Well,well well...lol


2 posted on 02/24/2025 6:49:52 PM PST by TomServo
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To: ransomnote

2014? That long ago, maybe I did purchase it.


3 posted on 02/24/2025 6:50:25 PM PST by madison10
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To: ransomnote

But hey, at least they didn’t get hacked and have someone steal all of their data...


4 posted on 02/24/2025 6:50:28 PM PST by Frank Drebin (And don't ever let me catch you guys in America!)
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To: TomServo

It was at no cost iirc


5 posted on 02/24/2025 6:51:09 PM PST by RebelTXRose (Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us! PRAY THE ROSARY!later)
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To: ransomnote

lol. Slimeballs. People buy antivirus software to avoid that kind of phishing. Very unethical and deceptive.


6 posted on 02/24/2025 6:55:40 PM PST by monkeyshine (live and let live is dead)
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To: TomServo

Great, I’m getting a refund of $0.00


7 posted on 02/24/2025 6:56:42 PM PST by Blue Highway
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To: ransomnote

Butt, butt, butt should we non participants get a bonus?


8 posted on 02/24/2025 6:59:30 PM PST by rktman (Destroy America from within ? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this💩? 🚫💉! 🇮🇱👍!)
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To: ransomnote

Is that why they were giving it away for free?


9 posted on 02/24/2025 8:01:57 PM PST by yesthatjallen
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To: ransomnote

Bastards wouldn’t work with me when we changed internet providers and lost our old email account. Had to actually close out a credit card account to prevent them from billing me for a service I couldn’t even use due to the lockout. They “accidentally” changed me to auto renew. Screw em.


10 posted on 02/24/2025 9:49:59 PM PST by IYAS9YAS (There are two kinds of people: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.)
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To: ransomnote

We all know that microsoft is not doing this with their Windows 11 “Recall” app that records everything you do.....(very sarcastic) It has already been found out they were recording credit card #’s and tax info when they said they would not. It is always “inadvertent”. They will also inadvertently upload this info using microsoft’s OneDrive. I use to do support that included OneDrive. Go ahead and see if you can delete your info from the many servers your files are backed up on. I had calls where people’s personal and work files were co-mingled.

They promise that info is only stored on your pc.
My files are already on the pc.
I do not need snapshots of files!!!
I do not want Bitlocker encrypting my files either. POOF! they are all gone if you cannot log in or the password is corrupted or hardware changed.

From a search:
“Recall allows you to search for content, including both images and text, using the clues you remember. Trying to remember the name of the sustainable restaurant you saw last week?”
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/retrace-your-steps-with-recall-aa03f8a0-a78b-4b3e-b0a1-2eb8ac48701c

Now you know they are lying to you!
“sustainable restaurant”


11 posted on 02/24/2025 10:07:55 PM PST by minnesota_bound (Need more money to buy everything now)
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To: ransomnote

I have the free version of Avast. It’s a nightmare with the popup’s telling me I’m being watched or the computer’s drivers are out of date or whatever else they try to scare you with.

The program will not allow it to be deleted. I’ve tried it, they have Windows set to not allow a program delete. So I went into the Avast files in Drive C and manually deleted them. Avast was gone for a couple weeks, then back with a passion.

And they lock my computer up when I won’t buy their crap. When going on line I get a message “Action cannot be completed because your computer has a virus”. The same with trying other functions. System Restore is also disabled so I cannot go back to a date prior to installing this crap. After a couple days the computer is back to normal.

I’m going to have to completely reload the op system to get rid of it.


12 posted on 02/25/2025 3:55:56 AM PST by redfreedom (Happiness is shopping at Walmart and not hearing Spanish once!)
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To: minnesota_bound; dayglored
We all know that microsoft is not doing this with their Windows 11 “Recall” app that records everything you do

As almost always, there is more to it, and ways around it.

Do I have Windows Recall? - Microsoft Community Feb 14, 2025To be precise, this feature has not yet been pushed to the official version of Windows 11. Windows Recall is now available in preview to Copilot+ PCs through the Windows Insider Program
How to Completely Disable or Uninstall "Recall" in Windows 11 24H2

Jan 29, 2025 How to Disable Telemetry Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide for Users

I do not want Bitlocker encrypting my files either

Me neither. MS never install it, up to W/11 ver. 23H2. But 24H2 is delayed until i am sure Explorer Patcher and OpenShell can "fix" it.

Disable BitLocker Automatic Drive Encryption in Windows 11 Starting with Windows 11 24H2, when you perform a clean install or reinstall the OS on a device with a TPM chip and Secure Boot enabled, all drive partitions are automatically encrypted.

They will also inadvertently upload this info using microsoft’s OneDrive.

How to Completely Remove OneDrive from Windows 11

13 posted on 02/25/2025 5:09:12 AM PST by daniel1212 (Turn 2 the Lord Jesus who saves damned+destitute sinners on His acct, believe, b baptized+follow HIM)
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To: ransomnote

I only used the free version - years ago. I finally opted to use Microsoft Defender and haven’t had any issues over the last couple years...


14 posted on 02/25/2025 5:29:56 AM PST by trebb (So many fools - so little time...)
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To: daniel1212
Turn Off BitLocker Permanently on Windows 11 [How to]

How to Prevent Windows 11 to upgrade to version 24H2. Easiest: Method 3. Disable Windows 11 24H2 Upgrade via Group Policy (if you have 11 Pro). Note license "you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice" but I do not think this means you cannot delay them as Windows provides for.

Updates. The software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates. By accepting this agreement or using the software, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice. - Microsoft License Terms Last updated April 2024

15 posted on 02/25/2025 6:46:31 AM PST by daniel1212 (Turn 2 the Lord Jesus who saves damned+destitute sinners on His acct, believe, b baptized+follow HIM)
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To: ransomnote

No one has figured out the obvious. It’s far easier to send a little $$ back to the customer with a check to update the financial info they filched earlier.


16 posted on 02/25/2025 9:37:42 AM PST by RideForever (Damn, another dangling par .....)
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To: Frank Drebin

It’s hard to write antivirus software unless you’ve written a few viruses.


17 posted on 02/25/2025 1:28:03 PM PST by scrabblehack
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To: daniel1212; Abby4116; afraidfortherepublic; aft_lizard; AF_Blue; AppyPappy; arnoldc1; ...
Avast antivirus ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to daniel1212 for the ping!

18 posted on 02/26/2025 7:20:41 AM PST by dayglored (This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24)
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To: yesthatjallen
> Is that why they were giving it away for free?

Gee, ya think?

"IF A PRODUCT IS "FREE", THEN YOU ARE THE PRODUCT."

19 posted on 02/26/2025 7:23:38 AM PST by dayglored (This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24)
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To: ransomnote

On the internets. When it is free-————>>>>>You are the product


20 posted on 02/26/2025 7:32:21 AM PST by dennisw (DËMÔNràts - Truth is hate to people who hate truth.)
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