AVG problem

[TheOstrich]

On the laptop, we have a paid version of AVG. AVG has just done a periodic update which actually required a restart (this occasionally happens).

On rebooting, from the desktop, I opened AVG to check all was OK - but what happened was that the AVG Zen dashboard pop-up window was "overridden" by a similar sized advert for a gaming company. There was no obvious means of closing this down, only "play now". I didn't click on it, I closed down the computer. When I restarted it, the same sequence happened, but this time it was a different advert for a lottery draw. Again, no obvious method of closure. Yes, we do have an adblocker installed, FWIW.

I downloaded Malwarebytes Free and ran it, but it didn't pick anything up. Eventually found that I could close the pop-up window by right-clicking on the AVG icon on the Start Bar and closing the window from there.

I then reopened it, and this time, the Zen window was not overridden by an advert, but displayed correctly. I was then able (from this) to access the AVG Protection dashboard - and this also came up OK. Ran a full computer scan and it merely picked up a couple of tracking cookies. (Side issue: I haven't got the free SuperAntiSpyware installed on that machine, but I might just download it now).

Closed and reopened AVG, everything now seems normal.

Looking at various forums, there does seem to be a few threads complaining about AVG adverts popping up and being difficult to get rid of, but these are mainly for AVG products / upgrades, not for non-AVG adverts for games or lotteries. Nevertheless, I can't help feeling that it's not some malware we've picked up, AVG is sponsoring these adverts.

Any thoughts, folks?

[Workingman]

Osiie, when I was reading up for the other thread on AV I also saw many complaints about AVG pop-ups, but they were with the free version and for AVG products and services. However, I also read some things about pop-ups and the Zen dashboard, some of them from outside AVG.

You problem seems similar yet different. You have a paid up version so you should, in theory, be able to stop notifications and pop-ups from something like: Options>>>Settings>>>Appearance and then unchecking anything to do with advisor or notifications.

Even if that works I think I would still raise a ticket with AVG because gaming and lottery pop-ups do not sound to be part of your deal with AVG and they could well be malware/adware rogues getting through AVG's defences.

[Suff]

Has it recognised the subscription Ossie? It should tell you in the info about the app.

It may be that it thinks it's running in free mode after the update.

[TheOstrich]

Thanks, guys. I'll check those various angles next time we boot it up.