Millions of new Avast users will be offered Google Chrome

Here's a wacky idea. What not ask the developers of one of the most popular pieces of free software in the entire world to offer your browser whenever someone installs the latest version? That's exactly what Google has done -- shaking hands with Alwil Software, the makers of Avast.
Download.com alone has logged some 65 million downloads of Avast over the years, and it's available from other places as well. The bottom line is that Google now gets the benefit of a prominently displayed billboard that will be seen by several hundred thousand people every week, many of whom will likely opt-in and download Chrome.
On top of that, the opt-in screen says "Avast recommends." It's another subtle but brilliant move. After all, who knows what browser is going to keep you safe and secure better than a company developing antimalware products (again, in the eyes of the average user)?
Here's another wacky idea for you, Google. Maybe it's time to bump Firefox from the Google Pack and start pushing Chrome instead? Just a thought.
[via CNet]
The Illusionist's Dream is a simple platformer; you play as a magician who needs to get through each level by transforming into any number of animals that you encounter along the way.
Each animal can do different things; the butterfly can obviously fly, but if it encounters a frog, the frog eats it, and you have to start over again. There's also a fox that runs fast and leaps far, but it eats any rabbits that cross its path. That means that, if you may need to be a rabbit later on, you need to take that into account ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Molly said 6:42PM on 12-05-2009
now that makes Avast! adware in my books :)
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Christian Walters said 7:12PM on 12-05-2009
Ugh, thats super gay. I have been using Avast! for years...and now they want me to install Chrome? Well that just blows. Chrome sucks...I dont care who you are or what you say, Chrome uses just as much if not more resources than Firefox, and isnt nearly as easy to customize.
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Kris120890 said 7:13PM on 12-05-2009
Agreed with you two.
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Digi said 7:35PM on 12-05-2009
It does offer an option to say no...
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Zach Al-Nasser said 7:49PM on 12-05-2009
It's "Alwil Software," not "Aliwil."
And this is a terrible idea. This is why I dropped Digsby. Good software, terrible implementation.
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alexdodd said 9:19PM on 12-05-2009
The google pack already offers chrome and firefox (with google toolbar), so they're way ahead of you ;)
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Saudrapsmann said 1:02AM on 12-06-2009
Oh, yeah, shame on Avast for looking for money to support their free software, and shame on Google for advertising their software!
They clearly have no idea what they're doing! Using marketing skills.... Please...
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Evren said 2:50AM on 12-06-2009
you know what google, i have a better idea; what about putting "downloadsquad recommends chrome" button on top of DS mainpage?
In the eyes of average user, these add-on installs are just invisible. Most of them accept whatever it is (even for malware). I am not sure but, are you guys have started to check every installation process of popular software for add-ons?
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jfjb said 9:00AM on 12-06-2009
could or would interest me IF Avast! were to implement cloud technology for its *her) anti-virus application: no more upgrade, the s***t gets trashed before you even connect to it.
My two cents.
Surf's up, dudes and dudettes!
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Abhigyan said 1:55PM on 12-06-2009
Well. I suppose it's another masterstroke by Google. I mean what better way to increase market penetration of one of the safest browsers available than by bundling it alongwith one of the most popular pieces of software. And it's not a purely business move from the user's point of view either. I mean, using a safe browser and good AV software obviously go a long way towards protecting your data on the Internet.
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Geir said 4:15PM on 12-07-2009
Who cares, people are switching from Avast and AVG to Microsoft Security Essentials in droves....
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