I’ve said it in other threads, but these “free” anti-virus software packages are there to use scare tactics to get you to upgrade to paid versions and other products. I used avast, and avg in previous PCs and every other day it was popups
I’m pretty sure that a lot of these virus and malware scanners began as normal and well-intentioned businesses, and only later went bad.
I used to use Avast and AVG back in the day (like 10+ years ago) and they mostly just sat back and did what you’d expect, without being intrusive about it.
But of course the inevitable march of capitalism happens and they all start trying to make more and more money. Intimidating users with scare tactics. Aggressive pop-ups. Selling user data.
Wouldn’t go near them these days with a shitty stick.
I don’t think the good guys necessarily turn bad, more often than not they just sell the brand… and why not I guess.
It’s literally a pirate themed company. Don’t be surprised.
Why is this company allowed to exist anymore is my question. If it just openly lies to its customers it should be sued into destitution.
Yep. Nationalize that sucker for just long enough to sell every asset, IP and piece of real estate, and turn over the money to those harmed by the crime.
There’s zero excuse for allowing Avast to continue to exist after what amounts to intentional wide scale fraud.
Edit: To be clear, I’m not advocating for an approach outside of current laws, I’m saying we need to fix the laws and tackle the next one of these correctly.
CEOs and shareholders can get on board, because they also want a peaceful no-heads-lopped-off resolution to this kind of crap, too. Everyone can still win, here.
Same for Wells Fargo
It’s literally a crime organization. Shut them down completely! This shouldn’t be a matter of making a couple lawyers rich and letting them continue.
So when are the users gonna get a check?
Huh? - Whitehouse, probably.
One pitchfork to start a mob
Not having to worry about antivirus software, by itself, is reason enough to use Linux. That’s not to say that there aren’t but the vectors are so much more obscure than Winblows.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malware
I’d suggest you start worrying then.
Read that Wikipedia page from yourself. Anti-virus is recommended by the quoted Scott Granneman for Samba servers, NFS servers, and Linux mail servers. For desktop use, Linux has a clear advantage compared to Windows.
The use of software repositories significantly reduces any threat of installation of malware
As long as you keep your packages up to date, don’t install random packages found online, and don’t run random scripts, desktop Linux is very secure. No one is using a zero-day to target your home office computer behind your router’s firewall unless you’re a high value target.
On the other hand, Windows users almost have to install software from the wider internet. Windows also doesn’t have an easy way to keep everything updated. Your PDF reader could have a known vulnerability for a year before you finally update it. Add to the fact that Windows has more desktop users and is thus a bigger target for desktop-style malware, and the difference isn’t even close.
Most users do not need anti-virus on Linux.
Samba servers, NFS servers, and Linux mail servers.
Precisely because you’d be scanning for Windows viruses on those mounted drives and emails! :-D
Yeah probably lol. If it’s a Linux virus that you can detect with a scan, then there’s probably already a patch ready (or coming very soon) to fix the vulnerability. I could be wrong on this though.
As long as you keep your packages up to date, don’t install random packages found online, and don’t run random scripts, desktop Linux is very secure.
Same with windows, Android, iOS, etc.
On the other hand, Windows users almost have to install software from the wider internet.
Not sure when you last used windows, but there’s a built in store for most mainstream software, and I’m sure most games come from steam.
Yes, you can download your random exe files, which will trigger warning prompts when you try to run them.
So, failing all warnings, it’s possible to install malware on windows. The same could be said for any OS.
If you want to keep Windows secured like Linux, you would create a non-admin user account, which will not install or change system settings/files, without the admin (root) access.
That said, I don’t disable the built-in antivirus or firewall in Windows. 😬
Same with windows, Android, iOS, etc.
Windows is the only OS listed where you almost need to break those rules. You can’t easily keep software updated and basically need to install software from outside the store. Only winget and choco are promising in this regard, but these are power user tools. MacOS, and even many Linux distros, ship with a graphical app store that keeps packages updated.
On Android and iOS, most users can get away with never installing an app outside the Play Store or App Store. The app store keeps the apps updated.
Not sure when you last used windows, but there’s a built in store for most mainstream software,
Unless all you’re doing is web browsing, the Windows Store doesn’t contain nearly enough software. Users of Windows need to be used to installing software outside of the store. How many Windows PC’s have never run an exe or msi?
and I’m sure most games come from steam.
Perfect example. I need to find, download, and run an exe from a website to install Steam. Having this be a normal procedure that a user is used to doing is horrible for security.
I mean, basic users really wouldn’t need anything outside the Microsoft store. And modern users tend to use their browser more than anything else (fortunately or unfortunately).
It’s got pretty much everything covered, barring some very specialized software. Heck, even stuff like Firefox and OpenOffice are there, but obvious M$ would prefer you use their own browser and office suit.
Certainly games are probably easier through the Xbox app in windows (or the store directly), and the play pass Microsoft offers makes it really easy to play without having to install a third party game store.
If someone wants a Linux experice on Windows, I’m saying that it’s quite possible.
Now, I won’t for a second defend all the telemetry, ads, bloat, and forced Microsoft crap. For that, Windows is indeed worse.
I suggest you read your own article.
He literally just Googled Linux malware 😂😂😂😂😂
Lmao read the page.
If you intentionally start downloading malicious binaries and scripts, then no freaking magic AI-accelerated from the future anti-virus would protect you.
In Linux we don’t download any binaries (.exe) at all. Everything is from trustes repositories, which, btw, are validated using checksums and TLS certificates. Not perfect, but like 99.9% more secure than going to phishing site and downloading binary.
Now do Firefox. It’s the best out there, but it’s not clean.
For what? The best what? Clean in what way?
You don’t know what clean means when concerned with privacy and selling data?
You’re entire post doesn’t really make any sense without any details, so no I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. It could be literal dirt for all I know.
Firefox is the product. Mozilla is the company.
Sue Mozilla.
**"A joint investigation by Vice News and PCMag in January 2020 revealed that Jumpshot was selling the highly sensitive web browsing data to companies, including Google, Yelp, Microsoft, Home Depot, and consulting giant McKinsey. The reports found Jumpshot was also selling access to its users’ click data, including the specific web links that its users were clicking on.
At the time, Avast had more than 430 million active users worldwide. Jumpshot said it had access to data from 100 million devices.
Avast shuttered its Jumpshot subsidiary days following the joint Vice-PCMag report."**
old outdated news
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Avast, the cybersecurity software company, is facing a $16.5 million fine after it was caught storing and selling customer information without their consent.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the fine on Thursday and said that it’s banning Avast from selling user data for advertising purposes.
From at least 2014 to 2020, Avast harvested user web browsing information through its antivirus software and browser extension, according to the FTC’s complaint.
“We are committed to our mission of protecting and empowering people’s digital lives,” Avast spokesperson Jess Monney said in a statement to The Verge.
“While we disagree with the FTC’s allegations and characterization of the facts, we are pleased to resolve this matter and look forward to continuing to serve our millions of customers around the world.”
In January, the FTC reached a settlement with Outlogic (formerly X-Mode Social) that prevents the data broker from selling information that can be used to track users’ locations.
The original article contains 398 words, the summary contains 155 words. Saved 61%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
