If you update Avast antivirus, it might install Google Chrome.

Because it just did that for me. Never asked me where to install it (I usually don't install to Program Files). It also put itself on my Quick Launch (which now has an overflow tab because I sized it just perfectly to fit eight items), and pinned itself to my taskbar (which I never do). And for icing on the cake, it bumped Firefox down from the top of my Start Menu to the bottom of the Start Menu pinned list.

Just FYI if you use Avast. Though a quick Google search (lol, irony) reveals that this is a known problem.

In other news...

Uninstall, Google Chrome! You don't belong on this machine!

edited 22nd Nov '12 12:15:22 PM by GlennMagusHarvey

Oh no, something might put a superior browser on my machine!

"I don't know how I do it. I'm like the Mr. Bean of sex." -Drunkscriblerian

I already have three browsers that I regularly use, and I don't like increasing Google's market share further.

edited 22nd Nov '12 12:47:03 PM by GlennMagusHarvey

It's not really the issue of what program it is, but that it's done without the user's express permission and that it is not made clear to the user. I'm sure you've had experiences with programs installing other programs that you don't want along with the main software without realizing it until after the fact.

Of course, I use AVG instead of Avast as AVG is a superior antivirus program, so not my problem *trollface.jpg*

Insert witty and clever quip here. My page, as the database hates my handle.

Yeah. I've actually considered installing Chrome for a while, just so that I have a fourth browser to work with (since I do stuff that I want to keep separate between browsers, for convenience), but this wasn't the way to do it.

Is AVG better? I heard Avast was better a while back, so I switched over. Maybe I should switch back.

I've never had any problems with AVG, and neither has my computer.

Insert witty and clever quip here. My page, as the database hates my handle.

I tried that free version of AVG, and it was trash. I refuse to use it any more. But hey, whatever.

I already have Google Chrome installed, so I shouldn't have a problem. Unless Avast installs a whole new version and deletes my bookmarks and the like, because I have some very important bookmarks.

Sure you didn't just forget to untick a box?

"It's so hard to be humble, knowing how great I am."

What issues did you have with it?

Insert witty and clever quip here. My page, as the database hates my handle.

The bloody thing would alert me to viruses and occasionally stored them in a "vault", but it never gave me any option to delete them. I looked, but I couldn't find a single trace of a "delete" option.

I am much, much happier with avast: it blocks viruses from infecting my computer when I stumble across an infected website and it has a speedy full-system scan. It can get annoying ("-Dong!- Avast has been updated!"), but it's a small price to pay.

You can turn the voice off, you know.

Looking for some stories?

I have to deal with this at work. At the Goodwill office that I work at, I have to install software on donated computers and have to install Adobe Flash. There's a sneaky little tickbox on one of the installation screens that is checked by default, and if you don't check it, it'll install McAfee Antivirus.

I have yet to make that mistake, though.

Only, if I inadvertently got Chrome for a computer that didn't already have it, I wouldn't mind. I love Chrome.

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."

I've used AVG (the paid version, if that makes a difference.) And it didn't seem to do anything. Except take up a pretty chunk of RAM and occasionally say "Yo, dog, check out this virus I found."

Basically it was like a lazy security guard: Better than nothing, but a shitload of thieves get past him, and the ones he does catch have already stashed a lot of stuff.

"It's so hard to be humble, knowing how great I am."

FYI this isn't about not unchecking a box; there was never an option. If this were a new installation and not an update, there would be an option, which is why I think this is a bug. But that doesn't excuse it.

Also, turning off the voice thing is easy. Just do it in the settings.

This.

Okay, serious question here: How do people go about determining which antivirus program is better?

They take into account how their computer works with the antivirus, how much RAM it hogs and how well it catches viruses.

But the last item (how well it catches viruses) is largely untestable by the consumer. I used to work for an antivirus company; antivirus product reviews in the mainstream tech press inspired either hilarity or rage, because they were generally completely unable to put together a meaningful virus-detection test.

(This was back in the mid to late 90s, so I can't possibly tell you what's good anymore).

A brighter future for a darker age.

So, I managed to install Avast into my sister's laptop. Naturally, it installed Google Chrome... although said laptop already has Chrome!

Yeah, Hilarity Ensues.

The Southpaw has no brakes!

Oh no.

Does she have 2 copies of Chrome now, or did the new copy overwrite the old one?

Antivirii are for people with no sense of danger.

sometimes I feel like I know you from somewhere any information please call 555....

Yo dawg, they heard you like search engines, so they put Chrome in your Chrome so you can Google while you Google!

But seriously, that sucks.

I run no antivirus program. All my programs are installed via apt-get from repositories I trust, and I don't download any suspicious files.

Or, it's a precaution in case a legitimate webpage has been compromised.

There have been pop-up ads on legitimate sites which have tried to rape my computer, but Avast has saved my ass every time. It's not just for people poking their noses - not to mention other parts - into trouble.

edited 26th Nov '12 2:49:28 PM by MrMallard

Yes, the worst malware risk is bad ads on legitimate sites. Even the New York Times has served infected ads before.

It's the best reason on earth to run an adblocker.

If you're running Linux, though, your exposure is still pretty small.

A brighter future for a darker age.