Avast Software
Reviews and Complaints

Do not have anything to do with avast security and digital river agents who have been taken over by the russian mafia, it seems. They will not even answer their 'contact us' useless web site facility and that is after six attempts; absolutely abysmal system which over five years has sometimes been slightly problematic. After you have paid they keep sending automatic notices that 'you need to upgrade, - and that is after you have inserted the license number—and even that is hard to find when you have paid. Good program, lousy admin. I must be a glutton for punishment sticking with them and I hope my bank is able to recover some money. Two extra debits of $49.99 from my bank on the 10th and 11th of november after initial payment in october. My bank is making a fraud case. At least kaspersky can be contacted by phone in australia and have a sydney office. Be warned— and I will change to a more

I did not want to renew my avast cleanup. Money was taken out of my account 11/1/15 and I followed the rules, signed into my google mail which I never use and submitted a ticket to refund my money, I did not want to renew and have cancelled it but it won't cancel until next year. 12 days ago I submitted request #15603, then a few days later I submitted another request to get a refund and still no response. Trying to contact anyone is impossible. The toll free number is for technical support only. I am very disappointed to say the least and will stop recommending the service. Please refund my money.

I just saw an unauthorized charge on my discover card. No phone number for me to call and ask what, where and when so I googled it and came up with many others who have experienced charges from these avast people. But no info on how to reach these people. I will take it up with iscover and hopefully they will reverse charge and investigate further. The charge was on 10/21/15 biller was dri*software avast. @comordmn

Last year I attempted to reclaim funds that were taken for a program I never had,.. Now $39.99 has been charged to my account again. I submitted several complaints last year and requested avast cancel any program they had in my name. They had nothing in my name, however they never reimbursed me last year,... And again charge me this year even tho I requested several times to unsubscribe. I never successfully downloaded their program and I no longer have the computer they are charging for.. Please unsubscribe me and reimburse my money. Thank you

I discovered that Avast had taken two payments from my Paypal account this year via Digital River Ireland when I only have one installation of their software. On checking back I found that I was being charged twice on "auto renewal" over the last 2 years for the same one piece of software amounting to £64.99 overpaid! I managed to get one incorrect auto-renewal payment cancelled and then contacted Avast regarding a refund. Despite 7 support tickets and several emails to both Avast and Digital River I have received no response whatsoever! It’s been over three weeks now and they just do not reply, they are ignoring me! So I think it is clear that this company is both abysmally badly organised and unprofessional, has no interest in customer care and support or, and this seems to be increasingly likely, they are simply intent on defrauding and scamming unsuspecting customers.
As someone previously stated, their antivirus product is excellent when it is working well but as a company they have absolutely no respect for their customers or support and they are certainly not to be trusted especially with payments.

I shall have no further commercial dealings with them in future but I shall not give up trying to get my money back.

On friday morning 18 september 2015 i receive a warning popup window on my pc that looked like an official avast logo in appearance. The notification indicated that my "avast internet security was stopped. Web and firewall shield - disabled, bank transactions - unsecure, virus definit8ions - outdated. Activate new to stay protected. Unfortunately your 30 day trial is over and you are no longer protected. We recommend that you update your protection immediately to stay protected. " the avast icon on my toolbar tray had a red "x" on it, i tried to run some of the scans and other functions but none would work. I clicked on the avast icon on my desktop and the warning displayed again. I contacted avast via telephone, don't recall the number, talked to someone with a india, pakistani, region accent, they transferred me to a tech who said they would fix my problem. From all indications i couldn't fine out for sure what was going on or what had happened. Thinking that i was speaking with a legitimate licensed technical representative of avast i allowed them to "fix" the problem. So they logged on deleted a bunch of files, showed me a list of errors and warnings with this log usually has anyway, and most are not problems anyway. Couple of hours later they say it's fixed and bill me $125. 00 for avast network security, $75. 00 for 5 years support on any pc problem i have in the future, $45. 00 for the tech services, $10. 00 tax. About $255. 00. I protested the necessity for avast and their technical support needing to perform all these fixes, that if their avast product had been hacked that they had some serious issues if they, a security provider couldn't even protect their own stuff they weren't worth using an internet security provider. I asked how this could happen and how i got hacked if their avast had such great protection. I was told by the tech that there are thousands of hacks, malware, viruses and they aren't able to protect me from all of them if they don't know about them.
I told him i thought it was pretty poor that they couldn't even protect their own product that appears to have been hacked, shutdown my protection and i had to get them to fix the problem at a charge. Tech repeated that they are a licensed provider of avast products and others and that my computer was repaired. I was really suspicious and angry. I have some receipts from them that look legitimate. I called the number they gave me [protected], three times with no answer, and no recording to leave a message, the forth time i called i talked to someone and i told them i just wanted make sure this was a legitimate number. This is the number of customer first consult, or cogito technologies. I also wrote down some session numbers, don't know what they mean [protected], [protected], and a india phone number [protected](?) i called my bank and told the bank that i thought this was a scam, canceled my credit cards, filed a claim, my payment was still in a pending status, so hopefully it hadn't paid these scammers yet. I got to thinking, i had earlier this year purchased a 2 year avast internet security back in may 2015 for $49. 00. I checked my records, sure enough i had a receipt for that. So my suspicions were raised even more. I looked at the email, it had an activate button on it. I took a chance and clicked on it. The license key was accepted and the avast internet security that i had paid $49. 00 for in may 2015 activated and everything seems to be ok. There is a scam being perpetrated by the 3rd party vendors avast has contracted and licensed to provide tech support for their product. I don't know who they all are, more than one i'm sure. These 3rd party vendors call, or cause some sort of warning to be displayed on your pc, causing you to think the avast internet security has been turned off and needs to be fixed, take
Control of your system run free maleware / virus scans, cleanup some directory stuff, and maybe load avast internet security on your system and bill you a few hundred dollars. I already had avast internet security on my pc, i guess i had just never activated it. The vendor cogito technologies loaded it again and billed me $175. 00 for a product i had already purchased month before, plus extended support, labor and tax. I believe these 3rd party vendors are legitimate and have the licenses from avast to work on the product, but they are using / causing false information to bilk consumers out of their money. Don't know what to advise you to do about this but be very careful dealing with any avast tech support. I'm going to report this to the ftc and fbi cyber crime division.

I had used Avast free antivirus for a few months but I made the big mistake to buy the Avast Internet Security, they made this ¨special offer¨for USD$50.00 or so, for two years and to protect 3 PCs, so, on wednesday, september 2nd this year I paid with my credit card and for the first two or so days was apparently fine, but after a few days there has been a sign on my PC stating that I am not protected and they offer me one more product to buy from them, which, of course I´m not buying, I don´t know what to do, whether unistall the Avast Antivirus and lose the money or leave it like that. One thing is for sure, I am not recommending Avast to anyone! They are giving me headache, I hope this issue can be resolved.

I purchased this software a few months ago and noticed that there was now a notice that my system was not fully protected. After trying to get it turned on and could not, I called company who then tried to sell me a tech and other services to correct what their virus program should have protected. They also went into my computer which even caused me more problems afterwards.. It seems to me, that this may be a way of getting more money as throughout these last few months, I have received many pop ups which are just requests to do more --always for more $$$$--I think this is underhanded and the fact that their virus program obviously failed to protect my system, I should have been issued a refund. Think this needs looked into and the company needs to held liable for not disclosing the fact that UNDER THEIR PROTECTION---you may not really be protected!

I have purchased avest premier computer protection order no [protected] I d password 1zie09 2nd may 2015 I am on the yearly renewal system I have tried to down load my product, but you have not sent the download connection. I have contacted your complaint department several times but you have not replied I have contacted remote support and they have been unable to help me
I not totally fed up with it I want a refund & pound;44.99 I am going to take legal advise in getting my money back
[protected]@hotmail.com

I don't know what company or whoever it was, but I was trying to install a windows 7 on to an old computer I had a month ago 4/15/2015. but I found out it didn't work or it wouldn't work an I do not know why. So then the next day I had brought the computer back to where I had gotten it from. It had the App or whatever on the computer that I bought from a computer place. So that's why I was trying to download or update or install the windows 7. An so I was trying to get my money back the SAME day I tried to update or install the windows 7 on to my old computer. I was trying to get a windows 7 an something about a 2 yr thing or something like that. So it came up to $89.98 and my puch # is 2443099510551062240068 . And my name is Anastasia Neketa. I would please, like to have my money back for something I don't need.

On 17th april I purchased grimefighter for & pound;14.99 from avast, after trying it three times, it loaded and worked for about two hours, at the end I got message "it's not your fault, we just can't work here. You found a mistake in our engine. No changes have been made to your system and the key detailks have been sent to our scientists. We're working on it" on 1st may I phoned the free number, the agent looked at my system remotely and said I needed tech support at a cost of & pound;129.99 for a year. I decided to go ahead and another agent took over my computer to sort things out. When he had finished I tried grimefighter once more and got the same message. So I rang again, once more an agent took over my computer, he said to leave trying grimefighter for a couple of days. When I tried it again, once again the same message. I rang again and was told to put in a ticke for a refundt. Which I did. I got a reply stating they woulkd refund the amount for grimefighter, which I have received, however, they stated they couldn't initiate a refund for the tech support I would have to ring. I rang and was told that as they had worked on my computer I couldn't have a refund. The only reason I took tech support was to get their product grimefighter working, which was unsuccessful, I had no other issues with my computer, also I am within the cooling off period. I feel I was conned into taking tech support. I have sent two further tickets and have not received any responses.

Avast Antivirus and/or Internet Security (all versions are smilar), is an anti-malware software that is provided by Avast labratories. Avast antivirus even has a free version of the software that allows users to have basic protection for absolutly no cost. The purpose is to protect a users computer from malicous websites or script viruses that usually try to penetrate computers everyday, but whether the user is paying for their copy or not, Avast software also has malicous behavior that almost negates the benefits of the software. I have tested their software (both free and Internet Security Suite) for over three years. I would be lying if I said that Avast was bad news from the start, because that was not true for versions seven or below. Once they updated their versions to nine, I have noticed several issues that I am positive are not accidents. If anyone is thinking about testing or buying Avast software, please consider the downsides to having the software in the first place. First of all, most antivirus programs give you the option of manual or automatic updates. Although Avast has an option for this, and "pretends" to give you a choice, there exists a background service called AvastEMUpdate.exe, which forces Avast to connect to its server to check for updates, without your consent, and you cannot cancel or kill this background process. It only runs at random times, but when it does, this effect hogs down more memory in the system than is intended by the Avast UI. Also, I have recently noticed how the software has been increasingly aggressive on any files that I recently download, even if I change the settings to leave most things alone. Another example, would be how in the middle or after downloading, even if the file has not been proven malicious or scanned by anything, the antivirus will freeze up everything, hogging much more RAM than is required for Avast to run (as stated in the system requirement and recommended specs), and it does not leave you alone. I have even had an issue, where after disabling all shields to free up my system, after stating that Avast were to be disabled until I say so, it reactivated itself and froze my system up again, without any warning, without any permission whatsoever. Avast takes a lot of credit for how well their software works, but what they won't tell you is all of the sacrifices you have to make if you install it. The only way to remove these issues is to uninstall the entire program. I used to love Avast, because of all the functions it offers that most antivirus software does not, but after discovering how the program behaves, I have come to realize that Avast is a protection that also limits your freedom, and cripples your system. Somebody needed to say it, and since the Avast server does not respond to any of my emails, best the customers do not buy a product without reading the disadvantages that come with it.

I was issued a 3 year license in february 2013 from avast internet security for which I paid $84.00. On march 4 2015 my license was banned. I called support and was told that my license had expired. The avast license clearly stated an expiration date of february 2016. It was not only on the license itself it was clearly stated on their internet security program that I was running. I offered to send a copy of the license to avast and they refused to even look at my license. Their response was that I should pay the renewal fee insisting that the license was expired. I actually called three times and could not get one agent to look at my license. It was unbelievable to me that they would not even look at a license that was issued by their company. I have now had to pay to attain another internet security software program for my computer and lost a year that I paid for from avast. Beware of doing business with this company.

I recently had problems with my PC. I contacted the company Nexway and Avast. The rep told me that they could clean everything and provide free version of the antivirus. I agreed, but after I checked my account, it turned out that they took $78 from. After couple of days, they again charged me for the same sum. Scam, so be aware. Please, if someone here had the same experience, can you help to return money back?

On 10/10/2014, I was offered a discount on avast internet security software. I bought it for about $21.75. On 10/13/2014, I was re-billed for the same security set for about $42.75.

When I first bought avast software a year ago, I opted out of the auto billing program, but somewhere through the year, between avast installing a new update, and me reinstalling avast on a new hard drive, the auto billing must have reset itself.

You would think that once you opted out of the auto billing, that this would be noted in their main purchasing department, so that no-matter what you do when re-installing, or any new update to the program itself, you would not be auto charged. Rather than taking auto billing off, its better to catch you off guard and scam you.

There are no telephone numbers to call, but only support tickets to fill-out. Supposedly, they reply within 24hr. To let you know that they are working on it. However; they did not respond to any of my tickets with a simple reply to let me know that they would be working on the refund-i was left in the dark. I submitted four tickets about 24hrs. Apart.

I finally went to my local bank, where I purchased the card, and filed a dispute with avast. The claim is still in dispute. The bank appears to be on my side. Will find out more in the future about this claim.

There is more information about this case in avast forums, in general post, under "billings", under my forum name, not-my-fault! Please check it out before you make a decision on purchasing software from avast.

Thanks for your time.

Dan

Many complaints starting with:
1. I paid (Online) but never received the product (I am still running the free version which is due to expire).
2. I was charged at the advertised $dollar price but in gbp sterling so I was over-charged.
I had an additional surcharge for making an online purchase.
3. Despite repeated attempts to notify avast I have yet to receive a reply (I have received one automated acknowledgement of one complaint.
> I have many screen-shots depicting what has happened.
> I want to know how to force a refund as they are obviously not interested in helping me.
> I want to know why they are allowed to operate given I am one of countless victims.
They are surely fraudsters and all pc magazines and suchlike should warn the public not to use them - how can this be done?
> is there a recommended competent and honest anti-spyware product out there on the internet which I can try-before-i-buy?
I though fraud was illegal in the usa. Apparently not.

>>>>i attach a few screenprints, I have many

My ex partner got anti virus protection, last year, and it was paid by myself, with my credit card for 1 year only.

Now on my credit card statement, I notice...
Visa-dri*avast software, have taken $34.99 on 17/9/2014.
Orderfind. Comau#0127360 (Ref.[protected]).

Please refund my money, as this transaction was not authorised,

My ex partner and I are no longer together, he never had my credit card details, , , , , so he has not done this.
My email is [protected]@westnet.com. Au

Thank you
Kerry matthews

On 10/7/14, I had $59.99 taken from my bank by nexwaysoftware.com which is you without authority from me. The number on the transaction which is on my statement is: [protected] [protected]. I am really pissed off because that means that you have taken money from me without permission. I was happy with avast until now! I actually sought you out as a friend as told mde how good your product was but now I don't plan on buying another product from you again. You can contact me on either my home on: 02) [protected]
Or my mobile on [protected]. Or my email on: [protected]@gmail.com.
Thank you jennifer hanson