Avast
| Avast | |
|---|---|
| |
| About | |
| Classification | Security |
| Type | Anti-Virus |
| Developer(s) | AVAST Software s.r.o. |
| License | Freeware and Commercial (Proprietary) |
| Website | Avast.com
|
| Requirements | |
| OS | Windows 10, 8/8.1 (except RT and Starter Edition), 7 (SP1 or higher), Vista (SP2 or higher, except Starter Edition), XP (SP3, 32-bit only) |
| R.A.M. | 256 MB[1] |
| Permanent Storage | 2 GB[1] |
Avast is a company which offers Anti-virus software, under both paid and free plans. Avast Anti-Virus is self-proclaimed as the most-trusted security provider in the world. The numbers seem to support this declaration, as they boast over 400,000,000 users, devices, and businesses in a total of 186 countries.[2] Avast also has six testing labs, which seems to support this claim as well, since this is more than any other anti-virus company as of 2016.[3]
Avast also bought AVG, another anti-virus company in 2016.[4]
Privacy concerns
For a number of years, Avast has been selling "anonymized" data on user behavior. Essentially, it tracks how users browse the web, and then sells this information (supposedly stripped of personally identifiable information) for advertising purposes. This has led to some labeling Avast products as "spyware," and some browsers removing Avast's browser extension from their libraries, thanks to software developer and security researcher Wladimir Palant.[5][6][7]
In 2013, Avast acquired Jumpshot, a data brokerage company.[8] According to their website,
| “ | Jumpshot provides insights into consumers’ online journeys by measuring every search, click and buy across 1,600 categories from more than 150 sites, including Amazon, Google, Netflix, and Walmart.[9] | ” |
Process Names
Excludes Installer process name, since this can be easily changed
- Avast.exe
- AvastSvc.exe
- AvastUI.exe
Resources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB44#idt_100
- ↑ https://www.avast.com/about
- ↑ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp
- ↑ https://blog.avast.com/avast-and-avg-become-one
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2019/12/09/are-you-one-of-avasts-400-million-users-this-is-why-it-collects-and-sells-your-web-habits
- ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/news/mozilla-removes-avast-and-avg-firefox-extensions
- ↑ https://www.zdnet.com/article/mozilla-removes-avast-and-avg-extensions-from-add-on-portal-over-snooping-claims/
- ↑ https://press.avast.com/avast-software-acquires-jumpshot-to-work-magic-against-slow-pc-performance
- ↑ https://www.jumpshot.com/about
