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George EadeGeorge Eade 

How to remove "1 poorly rated browser extension found!"

A few times a week I get an AVG popup warning me that it has found a poorly rated browser extension for FireFox. The only option it gives me is to remove it. It doesn't give me the option to ignore it or add it to an exceptions list. I've poored through the settings and can't find anything related to browser extensions, and google/forum searches haven't yielded any help either.

Is there a way to disable this feature or make an exception for certain extensions?
Best Answer chosen by George Eade
Joe CasarezJoe Casarez
So its almost 1 year later and AVG still refuses to give users the option to CHOOSE how WE want AVG to deal with a potential threat.   I setup a radiologists computer today.  A brand new Dell laptop and installed the software needed to view X-Ray studies which uses Internet Explorer and AVG once again finds the software add-ons and deems them a threat and I have ZERO option to exclude it or whitelist it.  All I can do is skip it and eventually the end user will get prompted by this and not knowing any better, will remove it and stop their software from working and will not be able to provide patient care until I remove AVG, remove our software, reboot and start over!  Totally unacceptable!

I'm done with AVG.  Its coming off of all of our computers and I will never suggest anyone use it.

AVG treats its users like children.  Time to give Avast a try.

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All Answers

-980888528-980888528 (Avast)
George,

We understand your concern, we apologize for the difficulties. We request you to provide us the screenshot http://avgclick.me/getscreenshot of the popup you are getting. Make sure that you have installed the latest version of AVG on your device. Awaiting your reply, thank you!
Alan BinchAlan Binch
George, For your info, just in case that you are unaware, you can post the screenshot here in your topic. Click on 'Answer' & then click on the 'Image' [mountain symbol] & follow the instructions. 
AVG Guru
George EadeGeorge Eade

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Screenshot attached
KishoreKishore (Avast) 
Hello George,
Thank you for providing us the screenshot. Please be informed that inorder to prevent your PC from the online infection you have been provided only with the option to remove the infection. It is always recommended to remove the infection detected by the AVG program. If you have any feedback about the product you can let us know via http://avgclick.me/AVGfeedback .
Thank you.
George EadeGeorge Eade
Whether or not I remove a browser extension should be up to me, not AVG. As with the hard drive virus scan I should be allowed to add exceptions. Can you tell me how these ratings are calculated or provide me with more info about why it might be poorly rated?
Joe CasarezJoe Casarez
Our company is a radiology service and the web based viewer we use is critical to our business and the new AVG version marks 4 files as poorly rated and if a user clicks "remove all" then it disables our viewer and therefore our ability to work.  It is absolutely paramount to have the ability to create exceptions.  Our only other choice is to remove AVG from everyone's computer and never use it again.

Please help.

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Joe CasarezJoe Casarez
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Our radiology company uses a web based viewer that the AVG is flagging for removal.  The only fix if a user clicks removal all is to uninstall AVG, reboot, unistall our viewer, reboot and start over.  There has to be an option to create an exception.  This in itself is unaccepatable.
Joe CasarezJoe Casarez
browser - poorly rated -  need exclusion option
Mik RosMik Ros
Hi Joe Casarez & George Eade,
I am also having similar issues with AVG & their "poorly rated browser extension found", have you been able to figure out a workaround? Our business is security services for some larger facilities and one of my colleagues also hit the remove all button & now we're stuck with not being able to utilize that computer, so instead of being only 1 PC short in our department, now we are short 2.. I'd hate to remove AVG & then reinstall the removed program as I haven't yet mentioned it to our IT guy (a real PITA when it comes to "not normal issues"),
Justin PfeiferJustin Pfeifer
Honestly this new AVG reminds me more of Malware/Adware then it dose with all these popups that you cant do much with.
Colleen FarleyColleen Farley
Here's another one. I'm a runner and I NEED my GArmin extension and I don't need this hassle from AVG every few days.

Garmin browser extension
Colleen FarleyColleen Farley
How do I get the image to show up?  IT shows in my preview but not when I click "answer".

Help???
Colleen FarleyColleen Farley
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Martijn BurgerMartijn Burger
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Still a problem in Februari 2018. Cannot disable this. Cannot find what the reason is why the for developers highly regarded Redux Devtools plugin is flagged by AVG. And it's been almost a year now, without any serious reaction from AVG. This is absolutely unacceptable for a product that I am paying good money for.
Valentin GogerValentin Goger
The weirder is this:
weird avg detection 0 poorly browser extensios found(!!!)
Why is this happening? (AVG free)
AvinashAvinash (Avast) 
@Colleen, 

Your screenshots are appearing on this thread.

@Matijn,

Redux DevTools were reported back to our concern team to review it's rating. Rating is calculated based on the ration of detection and uninstalls + actual rating in browser's store.
Joe CasarezJoe Casarez
So its almost 1 year later and AVG still refuses to give users the option to CHOOSE how WE want AVG to deal with a potential threat.   I setup a radiologists computer today.  A brand new Dell laptop and installed the software needed to view X-Ray studies which uses Internet Explorer and AVG once again finds the software add-ons and deems them a threat and I have ZERO option to exclude it or whitelist it.  All I can do is skip it and eventually the end user will get prompted by this and not knowing any better, will remove it and stop their software from working and will not be able to provide patient care until I remove AVG, remove our software, reboot and start over!  Totally unacceptable!

I'm done with AVG.  Its coming off of all of our computers and I will never suggest anyone use it.

AVG treats its users like children.  Time to give Avast a try.

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This was selected as the best answer
Alok KumarAlok Kumar (Avast)
Hello Joe,
I understand the inconvenience caused. Please be informed that the rating is not from AVG, it's purely based on the extension user review on the browser, AVG is just scanning your browser and let you know that there are few extensions which have less rating.
If you're not using those browser extensions then you can click remove or else you can skip the result.
Best regards,
Alok.
George EadeGeorge Eade
>If you're not using those browser extensions then you can click remove or else you can skip the result.

With respect, have you read a word of our complaints in this thread? We are well aware that we can remove the extension or skip the warning. We are well aware of this because we are FORCED TO DO SO several times a week.

As Joe Casarez said we are sick of being treated like children and we should absolutely have the option to disable these constant "warnings" about extensions that we know for a fact are stable and secure.

The fact that this hasn't been addressed, or even acknowledged as a problem, by AVG, along with the general invasiveness of the program, are the reasons I've switched to another solution. I've used AVG for years but I can't defend it any more when there are plenty of better solutions available.
KarthikeyanKarthikeyan (Foundever) 
I understand how difficult this is for you.

There is no option to skip this settings. You may try creating and using custom scan instead.
Pete DoubletopPete Doubletop
On what basis are these poor ratings defined? I'm using the logmeonce add-on and I can't find anything on the web that suggests there is a problem with it?

Is it the case that AVG just give an add-on a poor rating if they don't have any rating information for it?
-980888528-980888528 (Avast)
Pete, browser extension ratings are calculated based on the detection of threat and number of uninstalls plus the actual ratings in the browser's store.
Mark RavenMark Raven
This morning AVG started flagging the FB Purity add-on. As my most valuable and reliable add-on this is pushing me into a corner. I don't understand what is your definition of "detection of threat" technically means, nor where the "number of uninstalls" is coming from. Actual rating in the browser's store is equally misleading. Who's store. Most people download it from the creators site, but the Microsoft Store gives it a 5 star rating. Facebook actively tries to sabotage this guys add-on because it costs them revenue (by letting you skip ads etc), so I suspect Facebook is behind this. Fair enough. But as I can see from this thread after over year there is still no option to exlude an add-on detection which is so simple to be unacceptable. I having to manually skip each time I scan Between the AV and Tune Up and Driver detector I have had quite a multi-year investment with AVG, but I've also been using this add-on for just as long. It's almost renewal time, so I will be forced to ask myself if your software is interferin with the routine operation of my system, and there is no possible resolution to this issue then I neeed to start looking for a different AV platform.User-added image
Whitcomb T. JohnstoneWhitcomb T. Johnstone
This time AVG is falsely flagging the Reddit Masstagger extension.  I'm sure that it's considered suspicious because of false reports and bad reivews by the racists Masstagger is designed to spotlight. Also, going of # of unistalls is a bad idea- it's a self-reinforcing metric. Screenshot of Reddit Masstagger being flagged incorrectly
KarthikeyanKarthikeyan (Foundever) 
Thank you for the information.

We have escalated the case to the developer team and this issue will get fixed automatically in next AVG update.

We appreciate your time and co-operation.

You can click on this link https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?l=en&urlname=How-to-make-exclusions-from-all-scans-and-shields for the steps to add exceptions for browser add ons.
Peter KryvoyPeter Kryvoy
Hi!
Is there a way to restore accidentally removed poorly rated browser extensions?
 
AvinashAvinash (Avast) 
Peter, it is not possible to restore the add on through AVG. You can re install it from the browser settings.
Duc MansDuc Mans

Just block Browser extension rating all together by editing this file:

"c:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\Antivirus\BrowserCleanup.ini"
Content original:   ServerURL=http://bcu.ff.avast.com
Content changed: ServerURL=http://bcu.ff.avast._com

To be able to edit thsi file you need to boot Windows 10 in recovery mode and start it with Command prompt. Thne edit and save the file and reboot yuor PC normally.

John SmithJohn Smith
Incredible that it takes a product user to do the job AVG and its incompetent clowns of a support team are paid to do. Duc Mans, you're the man.
Balasubramanian SBalasubramanian S (Avast) 
John, the suggestion given by "Duc Mans" is not recommended as it would affect the functionality of AVG browser extension scanning.
John SmithJohn Smith
Yes ... that's exactly the point of the whole operation. Thank you for your pointed observations.
Balasubramanian SBalasubramanian S (Avast) 
You are most welcome, John.
If we receive more feedback from customers regarding this, our development team will be able to implement the option in future. 
If you would like provide a feedback, open AVG Antivirus free or Internet Security program interface. Click on "Menu-->About-->Submit Feebdack".
Thanks. 
Doug MarkellDoug Markell
I have to be honest with you people at AVG:  You seem to be completely incompetant. How many times do we CUSTOMERS have to RESTATE THE PROBLEM VIRBATIM before you get it?  In this thread, you completely refused to provide a resonable solution.  Perhaps because you don't have the talent?  I am use AVG for now, but I recommend ZoneAlarm to others.
Balasubramanian SBalasubramanian S (Avast) 
Doug, we asked customers to submit the feedback regarding "poorly rated browser extension" detection in AVG Antivirus scan which help us to implement the necessary changes.
_ __ _

I created an account just to bump this incessantly annoying issue which has been clearly explained and wll be remarkably easy to fix.

SIMPLY OFFER US AN OPTION TO DISABLE THE BROWSER EXTENSION CHECK.

It was a good idea in theory, but has proven terrible in practice.  We hate it.  We completely despise it. We want it GONE. Please prioritize this, and fix it. End of story.

Fredrik DFredrik D
I also registered just to say that this problem still exists.

I have no scans running on my computer. So the option to turn them off is not a solution.

As stated above: An option to disable the browser extension check is whats needed.

When can this be expected to be added?
AvinashAvinash (Avast) 
Frederik, do you mean AVG pops up to report a poorly rated browser outside of the virus scan? If it is so, could you share a screenshot of it?
Cee ScottCee Scott
Hi, I have been a longtime subscriber to AVG anti-virus software and I have to say this thread has made me consider moving to something else for me and my small business.

I came here looking for an answer to this question, as I am getting the same thing with the browser addon for AnyList. It's a legitimate product and not something from some dark corner of the Internet; so, as an adult who has considered the potential consequences, I should have the ability to tell you that no, you don't need to nanny me on this one. Just as I have the ability to white-list and create exceptions for the main virus detection part of your suite, I need the ability to do it for browser extensions. Or to just disable this scan entirely, either way would be an improvement.

It surprised me that there's not already a way to do this, so my first reaction to this thread was disappointment in the product. But really, it's not THAT big a deal to hit the "skip" link when it pops up. Annoyance, yeah, but pretty low on the scale.

Nah, what really torques me off enough to consider moving products is your outrageously inept customer service response to this thread.

The complaint and requested fix is OBVIOUS. It's been stated and re-stated several times in this thread. It's not really even a "new feature" request, because it's something your software alread does elsewhere, as I mentioned above. Just do that, but here. There are no mental gymnastics required to suss this out.

However, your customer service reps have chosen to be as pointedly dense as possible when responding.

"Huh? What? Can you post a screenshot? Did you try hitting "remove it"? Have you removed it yet? Did you take Excedrin after getting a headache trying to ascertain why we're apparently unable to understand a sentence?"

Person after person replies to you, explaining...patiently...the same issue and request for resolution. Yet, you persist in dancing away from the point with such precision that I can only believe one of two things:

1) Either you are bots (maybe high on the Turing scale I will grant you, but bots nonetheless), or
2) You are being instructed to remain purposefully obtuse and not act on behalf of a legitimate customer request.

Either way, it's a failure by AVG to handle this issue this way. All it would take is an honest response, that 'yes we see what customers are asking for and we've added it to our developer wish list.' I mean, that little tiny bit of effort and engagement with customers and you'd maintain this issue as merely a low grade annoyance. Let's assume you're never really going to give us this update. You could still ignore it at the dev level! But you can't even do that minimal amount. You'd rather just gaze with dull passive-aggressiveness at your customers and shrug. Over and over again. Amazing!

To conclude, AN OPTION TO DISABLE THE BROWSER EXTENSION SCAN AND/OR ABILITY TO WHITELIST/EXCEPT A RESULT is what we're after.
Priyanga SekarPriyanga Sekar (Sitel)
Cee, we realize the situation and this is not what we want our customers to experience. 
As of now, there isn't an option to skip/disable browser extension scan when you perform a Quick scan. However, you can always whitelist an application/URL/add-on using the instructions provided in this article (https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?urlname=AVG-Threat-Lab-file-whitelist).
If you need any help, please never hesitate to let us know. 
Alaska Computer GuyAlaska Computer Guy
I agree with those who are having problems with this.  I had recommended AVG to home and business computer users for years but had to step away from that and send them somewhere else after the extra features that were designed by AVG to help them convert free users to paid users started getting in their way.  Most of the "your computer isn't protected" warnings that offer to sell extra features don't work without a paid account and this seems to meet the definition of scareware pretty closely.  Also the ratings for those browser extensions don't make sense.  Most of them receive 4 or 5 stars on Firefox web site based on hundreds of users feedback, yet AVG identifies them as 1 star or poor and suggests their removal.  This includes competitors VPN services and seems pretty underhanded to me.  Disappointed.
Sarath PriyanSarath Priyan (Sitel)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

The feedback given for the extension is not by AVG, it is purely given by global users. Based on that, AVG prompts it as a low-rated extensions.





 
Alaska Computer GuyAlaska Computer Guy
I suppose these purely global users are completely anonymous and unverifiable?  They report the information privately to AVG so it cannot be independently verified?  I just notice that the AVG ratings are very contradictory to other published sources, like Firefox Add-ons reviews, for example.
 
Dinesh KrishnanDinesh Krishnan (Foundever)
Initially, please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused, Alaska. This isn't the experience we want you to have.
In the latest version of AVG, we do have a Geek setting through which we can try to disable the scan for browser add-ons.
To enter the Geek setting area, you can follow the steps in this article.
Once you've entered, please scroll down to find 'General' section & uncheck 'Check my browsers regularly for toolbars with bad user ratings'.
However, as it isn't recommended, our colleague has suggested to submit a false positive request. Once you submit a request, a group of analysts will review the extension & update it in our database (include pattern), if it goes through the clean notes of AVG. 
Thank you for your understanding in advance!
 
Ed SiffEd Siff
I disabled it as instructed by Dinesh and when I run a Computer scan, the browser scan still runs with it.
Dinesh KrishnanDinesh Krishnan (Foundever)
We're sorry to know that, Ed. In this regard, you may need to wait for the concerned team to analyze the add-on & whitelist it, if it is found safe (if you've already submitted a false positive request). If not, we'd suggest you to submit a false positive request. 
Thank you for your understanding in advance!
Ed SiffEd Siff
1. Why are you advertising a feature which doesn't work?
2. From which qualified entity are you obtaining these "bad user ratings"??
3. How can you determine the reputation of an extension by inspecting a .xpi file???

Definition of reputation:
1: overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general
2: a place in public esteem or regard

 
Balasubramanian SBalasubramanian S (Avast) 
Ed, we always check and release the product features only if they are working.
The browser add-ons scan of AVG works according to the ratings provided by our users around the globe for the add-ons.
In case, if they are incorrect, we request users to report it to us. Our senior team will then take necessary action regarding it.
Do you get any incorrect rating displayed in AVG browser add-ons scan?
If so, please mention the name of add-on or provide the screenshot of the scan result here.
Ed SiffEd Siff
1. "we always check and release the product features only if they are working": then please explain why it is NOT working for me.

2. I don't see an AVG option for providing browser extension ratings.
"ratings provided by our users around the globe":
- exactly how are these users providing their ratings?
- what are the rating levels and what are the criteria for them?
Santhosh PannerselvamSanthosh Pannerselvam (AVG)
Ed, we understand you concern.

We have escalated your case to our senior team. We will get back to you once we get a reply from them.

Your patience is appreciated.
Ed SiffEd Siff
Thanks, but it's not going to take the senior team to answer my questions about the ratings. Why won't you answer them?
Priyanga SekarPriyanga Sekar (Sitel)
Ed, we are sorry for the delay. 
I had a check with our senior team and they have requested you to submit a false positive request using this link (https://www.avg.com/en-us/false-positive-file-form). Once you submit a request, a group of analysts will review the extension & update it in our database (include pattern), if it goes through the clean notes of AVG. 
Else, please share the screenshot (https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?l=en&urlName=AVG-Create-screenshot&supportType=home) of the purported extension that is getting a low rating through this public post. So, our senior will go ahead and review it for you from their end. 
You can post the screenshot here in your topic. Click on "Answer" & then click on the "Image" [mountain symbol] & follow the instructions. 
 
Ed SiffEd Siff
I've already done that and the extensions were reclassified to OK. This option is a joke and needs to be removed completely.
Priyanga SekarPriyanga Sekar (Sitel)
Sure, Ed. We will take this as a valuable feedback. 
Do you mean that you've submitted the files using the above link? For further analysis, share the screenshot of the extension that is getting a low rating and our senior will analyze it for you.
Ed SiffEd Siff
I submitted the files via email to AVG support; it's taken care of so no need for any more action here.
Priyanga SekarPriyanga Sekar (Sitel)
Alright, Ed. If we can be of more help, please feel free to contact us here. We are available round the clock. 
Joshua HolcombJoshua Holcomb
I think what AVG has overlooked is that not all extensions/add-ons come from the store. They can come from other ligament sources such as software. I think the way the software works is when it checks to "store" for a rating, it gets a zero so it's "bad". Software and extensions can be uninstalled and reinstalled, AVG is no exception. Seems like it's their supports go to also. It's a good thing AVG doesn't do the something with programs, I'm sure theirs would be on the list.

It's also too bad that extensions/add-ons don't have a unique identifier that can be used to mark them as good in the AVG software. (For those that don't know, they do, and that was sarcasm).
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