This article talks about a new privacy policy for avg products. Its a simplified one page policy written in a way that is clearly interpreted. http://www.zdnet.com/article/avg-releases-transparent-privacy-policy-yes-we-will-sell-your-data/ Privacy policy http://www.avg.com/au-en/privacy-new I guess its something that we always knew in the end..
I can't say I wasn't expecting that. The only purpose for data collection is to make money from it (one way or the other), despite AV companies claims that they are used only "to improve their products".
This is totally unacceptable for me. This is exactly the reason why I choose not to run AV's, free or not.
Rightly so. Software companies cannot pay developers and give the public a free product purely on fresh air.They need revenue to cover costs so i dont know what all the fuss is about.
I can't even imagine if your boss sends you an infected word/excell document. What will you do? Deny the job and get fired, or get infected?
LOL, weren't you the one who said anti-malware and such were unnecessary? Or was that only for Linux? Anyhow, on Windows he could easily just disable scripting, use anti-exploit, sandboxing, policy restrictions, all forms of whitelisting, even blacklisting that's not AV, and whatnot.
This is terrible in my opinion. I am all for the fact developers need to be paid, that's why I use mostly paid software. Free means just that, you got the free thing with no costs. So if they sell your data to get revenue they are outright lying and stealing. At least they are being honest about their stealing. If they can't make enough writing off the free versions as advertising, then they either eat it or don't do it. Absolutely terrible business model.
The data era of the modern age. Sighhh.. In the meantime Linux is looking much more attractive. @Peter2150 Its important to keep in mind that even if you have paid for products, there is still the strong chance that your data is still sold. Good way to increase residual income. Whether a consumer chooses paid or free AV, to an AV vendor it does not matter as long as you use their products. Its a numbers game and not how many licenses they sold. In my humble opinion of course. Data mining where possible seems to be the trend these days. regards.
That is why the first question I ask about software I use is do I trust the vendor. AV wise I use Emsisoft, and the are at the top of the list of protecting your data, not selling it. Free is a lousy criteria for picking a product.
Yes I agree, it's very sad that security tools are turning into spyware. This is not good for the sector.