Is It Malware, Or Pup.. Or Just Avast Out Of Control?

Not sure if I should post in the malware section or here. I have Avast Internet Security (and MalwareBytes Premium, and uBlock Origin) using Firefox 52.4.0 on a Vista Business OS. All good.. UNTIL I tried the Avast Cleanup program. I opted out.. but now I get their obnoxious pop-up near full screen ad, asking me if my computer is running poorly without it?? It's running "poorly" with ads I continue to receive several times a day.

My settings have the pop-ups unchecked. No help. I contacted their Premium tech service, and a tech hooked up to my computer, looked over the program, my start-ups. and my registry.. and he didn't have a clue. Nice guy, but clueless. And 15 minutes after the session ended, the ad pops up again.

Then I get a email from Avast Software s.r.o., Enterprise Office Center in the Czech Republic!! Only they suggest I uncheck the pop-up box, which I told them I'd already done. They ask for screen shots, and I think I've sent them a dozen or so. And frankly, it's getting to be a real PITA.

So.. be forewarned.. PUPS are alive and well.. right there on your protection program. Does anyone know how I can get rid of them, other than demanding a refund from AVAST and finding a decent, non-obnoxious software provider, who actually has control over their own advertising? Let me know if I should take this to malware.

 

Wrong Forum. You need the
Malware Help - Public (Anyone Can Post & Respond)
forum.
This is not a simple software issue.
I have asked for it to be moved there.
If you genuinely think there is a risk your system has malware, then you need the Specialist Forum after having first running the steps at the top of that specialist forum.

 

Do they transfer these around, or do I copy/paste to Malware? Thanks for the reply.

 

Two things:

I. If you think this is NOT malware, then just leave it until it is moved.
2. If you genuinely believe there is a risk your system actually has malware, then do the steps in the Read & Run Me link at the top of the SPECIALIST Malware Forum, then after start a new thread there. DON'T just copy and paste the original post. They will not help you without the RRMF scan logs first.

 

It would seem odd to me, that someone writes a program which appears to only promote Avast.. my system seems to be running fine otherwise. If it gets moved, I'll do all the scan and clean routine. THX!!

 

It's your system. If it was mine I'd be running the scans now.
They will NOT move it to the Specialist Forum - you have to create a new thread there AFTER you have run the RRMF scans - not before.
The only answer you are likely to get in the non-specialist malware forum is.....do the scans!

 

A screen shot...

 

Whatever, the same answer applies. If you want to exclude the possibility of any malware DO THE RRMF SCANS.

 

You need to remove the Cleanup feature from Avast.
Do like your uninstalling Avast (we don't know your OS) and select Change instead of Uninstall. When the Avast UI opens, select Modify and on the next screen uncheck the box next to Cleanup.

 

I've had the help from MG before.. and know the routine. So I'll run the scans and post. Thanks!

 

Eldon.. thanks for the info. But I sure would have thought their tech support and "corporate" would have had that suggestion up front! Is that done from within Avast.. or on the Vista control panel? Even turning Avast off before (short term) caused it to need a full reload. THX!

 

Open Control Panel and select Avast and then click Change or Modify. Follow the prompts.

Avast will push very 'feature' in the hope you'll buy the professional version.

 

I poked around till I ended up in Control Panel. In the process, Avast says that MalwareBytes is in conflict, and "a problem". From my experience, I think MWB Premium saved the day many times!

After the change, the Avast UI now says "Install" where before it said "Customize". Will see if this works. I should have posted here first. This really is a great web site.. with a lot of HP, good people, and patience for us goobers. MOST CERTAINLY APPRECIATED!! Jerry