Security software company AVG can now sell your search and browser history to advertisers

Security software company AVG has updated their privacy policy giving the company the rights to sell search and browser history data to advertisers.

The company does not charge for their free antivirus software, but will now be able to make some revenue from your "non-personal data."

Some privacy experts believe that move makes the software spyware now, although other software companies have been doing the same for some time. "Antivirus software runs on our devices with elevated privileges so it can detect and block malware, adware, spyware and other threats," said Alexander Hanff security expert and chief executive of Think Privacy. "It is utterly unethical to [the] highest degree and a complete and total abuse of the trust we give our security software."

When probed about the update to the policy, AVG says it will need to make revenue in order to keep the product free and in the future may "employ a variety of means, including subscription, ads and data models."

In addition, the AVG spokesperson said you will be able to opt-out, with no 'decrease in functionality' to the software. "Those users who do not want us to use non-personal data in this way will be able to turn it off, without any decrease in the functionality our apps will provide," the spokesperson noted. "While AVG has not utilised data models to date, we may, in the future, provided that it is anonymous, non-personal data, and we are confident that our users have sufficient information and control to make an informed choice."

Wired

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2015 20:33

CU45

Um, do they realize a subscription wouldn't keep the software free, right?

21.9.2015 21:52 #1

Semperfipal

I uninstalled it about two weeks ago. Was getting constantly hounded to upgrade it for $$'s. Installed anti-virus software from another competitor. We'll see how this one works out, so far so good.

"Do not underestimate the power of an enemy, no matter how great or small, to rise against you another day." - Atilla

22.9.2015 10:31 #2

jjstccean

Rubbish software would not think of installing it on my computer.

22.9.2015 10:37 #3

narm050

Originally posted by Semperfipal: I uninstalled it about two weeks ago. Was getting constantly hounded to upgrade it for $$'s. Installed anti-virus software from another competitor. We'll see how this one works out, so far so good. Curious what you switched to. I've never used free security software even though some of them have good/excellent detection ratings (I think AVG was pretty good iirc). I just don't want any ads and I'm willing to pay for the lack thereof, as long as the alternative is good detection and lightweight. I've been an ESET user for many years, but I'm not against switching if a better alternative presents itself.

22.9.2015 19:19 #4

Menion

MalwareBytes Pro & uBlock plugin with some common sense is all you really need anymore to avoid Mal/Adware.

22.9.2015 23:57 #5

ddp

Menion, what about viruses?

23.9.2015 22:51 #6

jjstccean

Kaspersky! frankly.

24.9.2015 03:12 #7

narm050

Both Kaspersky (which I used to use) and ESET (my current AV of choice) are shown in a negative light in this article:

http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/09...ble-to-attacks/

24.9.2015 19:29 #8

DOS_equis

I quit using AVG way back around '09 when they were trying to transition people from the popular free model to the subscription based one. AVG was really good back then and most people would just use the free edition. Then they started installing nag screen code during "updates". You could break the nag screens by renaming or deleting the folders the code called on but they kept changing that every other week so I ditched then for MSE and finally MBAM along side MSE.

25.9.2015 09:17 #9

ilikefree

I think the last version of AVG that was any good was 7.5
I use Avast,QFX Key Scrambler,MalwareBytes, MalwareBytes Anti-Exploit and they seem to be keeping me safe from most. There is always the NSA spyware in the hard drive firmware but that is well hidden and would be unknown if it wasn't for Mr Snowden and others.

shit doesnt just happen theres always an arsehole involved

30.9.2015 04:22 #10

Mr-Movies

I use Bitdefender Total Security which includes my cell phones. I too gave up AVG many years and I was using their paid version, they just took too many of my options away so I moved on. I can't say I like most protective services out there so it's a toss-up on who is the best in my opinion.

30.9.2015 06:28 #11

ilikefree

Originally posted by Mr-Movies: I use Bitdefender Total Security which includes my cell phones. I too gave up AVG many years and I was using their paid version, they just took too many of my options away so I moved on. I can't say I like most protective services out there so it's a toss-up on who is the best in my opinion. Is that a paid for program or free?

shit doesnt just happen theres always an arsehole involved

30.9.2015 07:05 #12

Mr-Movies

Originally posted by ilikefree: Originally posted by Mr-Movies: I use Bitdefender Total Security which includes my cell phones. I too gave up AVG many years and I was using their paid version, they just took too many of my options away so I moved on. I can't say I like most protective services out there so it's a toss-up on who is the best in my opinion. Is that a paid for program or free? The version I mentioned is paid like any total security package that includes a firewall but just like AVG they have a free antivirus version too.

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

1.10.2015 06:12 #13

ronatola

I dumped avast years ago due to the nags as well and switched to AVAST - free version and it works great.
Does anyone know if AVAST gathers browsing data?

2.10.2015 22:58 #14

ilikefree

I use Private Firewall and can see what goes in and out of my computer, only thing I see from Avast (free version) is the updates

shit doesnt just happen theres always an arsehole involved

3.10.2015 16:06 #15

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