Security News

Avast ordered to pay $16.5 million for misuse of user data
2024-02-23 11:13

The Federal Trade Commission will require software provider Avast to pay $16.5 million and prohibit the company from selling or licensing any web browsing data for advertising purposes to settle charges that the company and its subsidiaries sold such information to third parties after promising that its products would protect consumers from online tracking. From 2014 to 2020, Jumpshot sold browsing information that Avast had collected from consumers to a variety of clients including advertising, marketing and data analytics companies and data brokers, according to the complaint.

FTC Slams Avast with $16.5 Million Fine for Selling Users' Browsing Data
2024-02-23 03:30

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has hit antivirus vendor Avast with a $16.5 million fine over charges that the firm sold users' browsing data to advertisers after claiming its products...

Avast shells out $17M to shoo away claims it peddled people's personal data
2024-02-23 00:56

The US regulator filed [PDF] a lengthy complaint against Avast regarding its use and alleged misuse of customer data. According to the FTC's allegations it sold browsing information collected by its parent from 2014 until Avast grounded the biz in 2020 when allegations of customer data sales emerged.

FTC to ban Avast from selling browsing data for advertising purposes
2024-02-22 16:48

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will order Avast to pay $16.5 million and ban the company from selling the users' web browsing data or licensing it for advertising purposes. [...]

Avast confirms it tagged Google app as malware on Android phones
2023-10-31 20:23

Czech cybersecurity company Avast confirmed that its antivirus SDK has been flagging a Google Android app as malware on Huawei, Vivo, and Honor smartphones since Saturday. Others saw a different alert, telling them that the Google app was a trojan that could provide remote access to their device and allow attackers to install malware and steal the users' data.

Avast SecureLine VPN Review (2023): Is It a Good VPN for You?
2023-10-16 21:11

Read our comprehensive review of Avast SecureLine VPN. We analyze its features, speed, security, and more to determine if it is the best VPN option for you.

Avast releases free BianLian ransomware decryptor
2023-01-18 05:54

Security software company Avast has released a free decryptor for the BianLian ransomware strain to help victims of the malware recover locked files without paying the hackers. The availability of a decryptor comes only about half a year after increased activity from BianLian ransomware over the summer of 2022, when the threat group breached multiple high-profile organizations.

Avast releases free decryptor for MafiaWare666 ransomware variants
2022-10-05 17:46

Avast has released a decryptor for variants of the MafiaWare666 ransomware known as 'Jcrypt', 'RIP Lmao', and 'BrutusptCrypt,' allowing victims to recover their files for free. Utilizing Avast's tool, victims of the supported ransomware variants can decrypt and access their files again without paying a ransom to the attackers, which ranges between $50 and $300. However, ransom demands reached tens of thousands in some cases.

Avast releases free decryptor for Hades ransomware variants
2022-10-05 17:46

Avast has released a decryptor for variants of the Hades ransomware known as 'MafiaWare666', 'Jcrypt', 'RIP Lmao', and 'BrutusptCrypt,' allowing victims to recover their files for free. Utilizing Avast's tool, victims of the supported ransomware variants can decrypt and access their files again without paying a ransom to the attackers, which ranges between $50 and $300. However, ransom demands reached tens of thousands in some cases.

'I Don't Care About Cookies' extension sold to Avast
2022-09-21 14:15

The lone developer of anti-cookie-warning browser add-on "I Don't Care About Cookies" has sold it to Avast, resulting in both concern - and new forks. Enter I don't care about cookies, a handy browser extension by Croatian developer Daniel Kladnik.