AVG - - - - -aka - - -XP Home Protection 2010
By cableman67
@cableman67 (872)
United States
July 7, 2011 1:59pm CST
Just to give ya'll a heads up on this avg and their business tactics. They have a spyware that gets on your computer and wants to scan for malware and then it wants you to buy the software for about $59.99 and up to fix the alleged problems.
No real big problem there as long as you have a choice but you see that the reason I called this a spyware attack is because now your browser controls are locked out and you can't go to any other website but the one selling their software. I don't care if you change browsers you are still locked out.
Another thing it does is it starts taking your administrator privileges away so that you can't delete what it has already put on your computer. It also locks up any other virus protection software you have on the computer so you can't use them to try and get it out. No matter what you do it keeps popping up with the virus scan box and anything you try just ultimately keeps taking you back to their website where you are suppose to order their software.
Now, I don't know what everyone else might think but I call this a strongarm tactic to sell their product whether you want it or not because the average computer operator would not be able to fix their computer at this point. I personally don't care how good a product is; if they use tactic like this to sell their software then how could you trust them or their product. Another thing, their product has always been second and third rate to the other anti-virus and mal-ware products out their.
I am actually an advanced computer operator so that means I can build from scratch, repair, remove viruses and the such, as well as tune up computers for optimum performance depending on your personal needs, and of course re-install operating systems when necessary. So when I tell you that these people are crooked then you can bet on it.
One tactic they are using is that they are calling their software "XP Home Protection 2012" when in reality it is still the old "AVG" software probably with a few new changes but I guarantee you want no part of this company and their ways. Another thing to watch for is the free scans they offer with pop up while you are browsing the internet. Other companies besides this one will use the same tactic and if you agree to it by clicking on OK then your are allowing it to install the spyware on your computer without knowing how bad it is going to affect your system until it is too late. Be vary wary of pop ups and their promises because they are almost always harmful to an extent. They will also use tricks like disguising the pop up to make it seem like your own anti-virus is warning you of a potential problem and asking for your permission. Guess what? Once you give it the permission for the scan it is too late you are now infected!!
My best advice is use "Avast". They are free and very good. You can order the professional version but the free home version has all you need including real time protection while surfing and always checking your e-mail. You can customize it the way you want with a pretty good selection of options for personalizing it the way you want. The average user would never use all of the different option for personalizing. Now, I am not putting down other software, I was just pointing you to a free one that is so good it is what I use when I can have any virus software I want.
If you still think that paying for one is better then I think "Kasperky's" is a good one but it takes a little setting up to get it the way you want. If I ever stop using avast I myself will go to kasperky's.
I am in no way putting down any other software programs other than this AVG. There are some good software products on the market, I just gave you my two favorite examples in case you might want a recommendation.
I am giving you fair warning, stay away from the AVG aka xp home protection 2010. The best way to handle a pop up situation is to close it out immediately then open your own virus protection software from your shortcut on the desktop or taskbar or however you normally activate a scan that way you know for sure you are using your own software and not chancing a more than likely serious unwanted intrusion to your computer.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
7 Jul 11
This is complete b*llsh*t and irresponsible scaremomgering.
"XP Home Protection 2010" is NOTHING to do with Grisoft. It (and other so-called 'Protection' programs under various names but all operating in the same way) has been going for some years under various guises. It, typically, operates as a 'pop-up' telling you that your computer has viruses and using various underhand methods to make it difficult not to download it.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
8 Jul 11
I hope people listen to you! AVG is responsible for my last computer bill, I installed the new AVG and my computer went haywire. The tech said many other people had the same problem and needed to have their system reloaded.
Then I saw ZoneAlarm for only $15 and that was the worst "bargain" I ever got. I recently replaced it with Avast. My computer would barely function because ZA was constantly updating and I could barely get any work done.
I will never use AVG again and have cautioned people against it.
My son uses Panda Cloud and loves it, he works on computers, but it let a virus into my computer so I no longer use it.
@lindaharding627 (1442)
• United States
8 Jul 11
It may be a malware that asked for protection to your computer in the guise of an automatic update. There are programs out there that will figure out what type of antivirus you have and attach themselves to an update on the program. My husband and I were told our best protection is to do manual updates to our computer and never allow automatic updates because of this issue. XP will keep saying that your computer may be at risk but it is best just to ignore this popup. It was a computer programming center that gave us this advice. AVG is heavily targeted for this type of malware because it is a popular program. The malware is not in AVG but a file that attaches itself on a download. Hubby and I have BullGuard and it is a thousand times better than AVG.
@cableman67 (872)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Thank you for your comment. I don't care what software people use I just wanted to warn them against the malicious pop ups that will wreak havoc on their computer if they are not careful. It just so happened that this one was using the name "xp home edition 2012" and then when traced back to the website where you pay for the product their was an AVG logo.
I have no control over the fact if it is in fact an imposter posing as AVG or if it is a selling tactic for AVG. I will delve more into the issue for my own knowledge since almost everyone here doubts my abilities and certainly missed my intentions.
@EricShaw (3)
• China
8 Jul 11
I have used the Avast!,but it often invoke the process "sf.bin" to simulate the behaviors of .exe files.It always make my computer slowly.
Using two or more antivirus software are often cause conflicts.It normal for antivirus softwares to fight for the authority. You can add them each other as except files and processes.
You can use the uninstall tools(ccleaner,amego and so on)to uninstall and clean AVG.If you know how to operate the regedit,you can delete swards to delete the AVG.
AVG is a good software,especially in cleaning trojans.
I am using the Avira Antivirus Personal(uninstalling the guard)and Comodo Firewall.
Avira is very well in scan and local guard.Comodo Firewall include firewall and HIPS,you can know the behaviors of any files in your computers.
I'm a Chinese and not good at English.
