"VanguardLH" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:i9cs0e$ecr$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>
>> I use Avira AntiVir on my WinXP laptop computer, which I've been keeping
>> on
>> all the time. AntiVir runs a daily update at random times, often when I'm
>> not in my office. It leaves behind a screen advertising the paid version
>> of
>> its product.
>>
>> In the past, I would click the closing X and the screen would close.
>> Recently, however, the image has been staying on-screen, with perhaps a
>> small piece of it missing after I click the X. The only way to get rid of
>> it
>> is to bring up another program to fill the screen. Once the other image
>> is
>> there, the Avira one disappears.
>>
>> Is there anything I can do--short of turning off my computer when I leave
>> my
>> office--to stop this?
>
> The popup window for their advertising during an update is why this
> product is classified as adware. Avast is also adware but doesn't shove
> their ad crap in your face.
>
> There are 2 "splash" screens in Avira's free (adware version) Antivir
> product. One is the load-time adware banner and the other is the adware
> popup during updates.
>
> To remove the load-time adware splash screen:
> - Run regedit.exe.
> - Go to HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run.
> - Find the entry that loads the Avira UI program.
> - At the end of the command, add "/nosplash" (sans quotes).
>
> To eliminate the update-time adware screen, do ONE of the following:
> - Rename the avnotify.exe file in Avira's installation folder. Rename
> to something else, like avnotify.exx.
> - Move avnotify.exe out of Avira's installation folder. Save it
> elsewhere.
> - Create a software restriction policy that prevents it from loading:
> o Run the policy editor (gpedit.msc).
> o Go to the following node in the tree list:
> Computer Configuration
> Windows Settings
> Security Settings
> Software Restriction Policies
> Additional Rules
> o Create a new Path policy. Navigate to and select the avnotify.exe
> file. Select to "Disallow" this executable. This has the OS refuse
> to load this program.
>
> I use a policy. It is possible that a program update would replace the
> avnotify.exe. So renaming it or moving it won't help because a new one
> shows up. The policy doesn't care and will still block that file in
> that path from running.
>
> If you are using a Home edition of Windows XP/Vista/7, there is no
> policy editor available. Those editions cannot participate in a domain
> where policies get pushed. The policy editor is a glorified registry
> editor that manages settings used to define policies. All policies are
> defined by registry entries. However, key names and interdependencies
> exist with path policies for allowing/disallowing files to execute
> (i.e., there isn't just one registry entry that you can add).
> Alternatively, you can still use a HIPS (host intrusion protection
> system) enabled security product, like in some firewalls (e.g., Comodo
> and OnlineArmor, which let you define application rules to prevent
> execution of specified files.
Thank you, Vanguard! I don't notice a load-time splash screen, but I
definitely get the update one. I'll try the easiest approach first--renaming
avnotify.exe. I've copied your post to my hard drive for reference in case
this one isn't sufficient. One of my currently functioning computers runs
Windows XP Pro and the other Windows XP Home.
Jo-Anne
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