Avast fined $16.5 million for ‘privacy’ software that actually sold users’ browsing data
Avast fined $16.5 million for ‘privacy’ software that actually sold users’ browsing data
Avast collected data on location, health concerns, and more.
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.
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.
**"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!