Avast Free Business Cloud AntiVirus

[SpaceInvader83]

I think we are all equally miffed about this if it is the case!

[mikeprice]

Oh Dear

 

to say the least

[pete]

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1986392-avast-free-for-education-ending

 

Spotted this, where the Avast rep states he's been posting the info on Spiceworks for ages. He doesn't mention why they haven't proactively notified customers.

 

So at some point between 45 days > July 2018 I need to buy an antivirus subscription, but the incumbent vendor hasn't bothered to let me know.

[bossman]

@LeMarchand

 

Those customers who originally signed up for the free version when first launched can still use it for free, although it states it will expire, so I have been made aware on the Avast forum today.

 

Just thought I would let you all know.

[pete]

@bossman got a link? Trawling through their forums I can see quite a lot of people asking and no response from Avast, or the threads over a year old so I'm doubtful as to whether it's still valid.

[bossman]

@pete

 

According to this post: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=201825.0

 

Just the way I read it

[pete]

^ Yeah, but the person responding doesn't work for Avast.

[bossman]

@pete

 

Your right, I have submitted a request asking the questions everyone is posing and currently awaiting a reply, will update asap.

 

Have a good weekend

[pete]

I've just had this back from Avast's corporate marketing manager.

 

Hi, Pete,

 

Firstly I must apologize. I just learned that our ticketing system has a fault which prevents me from getting responses to my previous emails.

 

Hence, I am writing directly from my mailbox.

 

Secondly, the Avast for Business BASIC (free) version has indeed been discontinued for new customers. As for the current AfB Basic users, there is no expiration date as we know it from paid licenses. But the overall strategy is to attenuate this type of business in the future. We will continue to propose upgrade offers to the AfB Basic customers at times.

 

To avoid uncertainty I would strongly encourage you to consider upgrading to one of our paid versions. Currently, until June 30th we are offering to take 75% off the list price for customers switching from AfB Basic to AfB Endpoint Security or AfB Premium Endpoint Security.

 

Please let me know if you are interested in receiving an official quote or if I can assist in any other way.

[localzuk]

Had the same message. It reads as "it isn't confirmed as ending, but we plan to one day in the future".

 

I'm looking at a paid solution anyway, as I want to have the safety of automated scanning etc...

[Pacarcher]

Pete, what method did you use to contact avast? I've tried contacting them through the support pages/tickets but not had any response.

 

Regards

Paul

[localzuk]

Just had a price back for Avast. Blimey its cheap. Half the price of others.

[Pacarcher]

Just had a price back for Avast. Blimey its cheap. Half the price of others.

What kind of price are you looking at?

[localzuk]

What kind of price are you looking at?

Bitdefender is coming back at £9.25 each for 3 years, Vipre £6.55, ESET £8. Avast £5.25.

[bossman]

@localzuk

 

Just been offered a 75% off list price!

 

This is until 30th June but I have been informed that the AfB will not expire for those who signed up early just for new domains.

 

That is official but they recommend that we move to a paid for version at the above reduction.

[LeMarchand]

This is until 30th June but I have been informed that the AfB will not expire for those who signed up early just for new domains.

 

How new is "new"?

[bossman]

How new is "new"?

 

This would depend on the individual school or business, you would have to send a request in through the normal support channel in your Avast web interface to see what answer you receive,

 

Regards

Bossman

[LeMarchand]

This would depend on the individual school or business, you would have to send a request in through the normal support channel in your Avast web interface to see what answer you receive

 

I think imma gonna be an ostrich and wait for them to break the bad news...

[LeMarchand]

Holy Necrothread!

 

I'm guessing most have shifted away now, but for those that haven't and/or have paid: are you seeing lots of threats detected when deploying new versions of Flash? Bizarrely only on random machines rather that the whole fleet at my schools.

 

Also, for those still on the free version: 2 out of 3 of my sites have had "the email" and I got this back when I queried what exactly would happen come the cut off.

 

After the 15th October, your devices and console will be upgraded to Avast Business Antivirus but placed into trial status for 30 days. This will happen automatically for you. However, after the 30 day trial has expired, you will still be able to log into your console without any issues, but you will not be able to manage those device settings (you will be able to uninstall Avast though from devices). You will not receive any program updates after the 30 day trial, only virus definition update files will be provided with limited protection.

 

So it sounds like there will be plenty of time to migrate to another solution if required.