Matti Robinson
20 Nov 2017 13:00
One of the more popular Windows cleanup tools, CCleaner, has added Avast ads on to their software. After being acquired by Avast, CCleaner wants you to install the virus protection suite along with CCleaner.
Avast bought CCleaner developer Piriform in July after which it was fairly clear that Czech security software company is going to utilize the new addition in new ways. One of these ways seems to be to try and push free Avast to CCleaner users.
In addition to CCleaner, Avast already has a similar cleanup tool called AVG TuneUp that troubleshoots and optimizes your Windows system. However, CCleaner is amongst the most popular Windows cleanup tools and certainly more known than Avast's offering.
Adding the huge user base of CCleaner to their pool of potential Avast customers is of massive value, and turning CCleaner into self-promoting adware is thus an obvious move.
The transition wasn't completely painful though – actually quite the opposite. After the acquisition CCleaner suffered from a hidden malware, according to Piriform caused by a hacker, that hit over 2 million computers.
Fortunately, there is still a simple way to use CCleaner without the Avast ads. Just download the CCleaner Portable, that hasn't yet been turned into an adware.