Avira nag screens give me heartburn

I just got this message from a fellow I’ve helped in the past:

I’m running Vista Home Premium using Explorer to connect to the Internet. All of a sudden a few days ago a screen starting showing up asking me to select between 2 options: Either – Continue Unprotected or – Get Security Software. When I selected Get Security Software, it asked me to Register Now and pay $59.95. So I went back to Continue Unprotected which I had to select a couple of times to get back to the web site. It also kept recurring while I was working on the site.

There was no way of getting rid of this maddening screen no matter what I tried to do. I thought I could get rid of the damn thing by right clicking on the screen but to no avail. I also tried to go to Control Panel to uninstall it but there was no folder there. I suspect this happened when I opened an e-mail from a friend with a web site link. To me, this is like a virus which impedes and disconnects my access to web sites through Explorer.

After checking with Google, I found this screen was called Antivir with a web site named Avira.com. Have you heard of this and do you know any way I can get rid of this nightmare other than paying them $59.95? I’d appreciate any guidance you could provide.

My answer:

[SEE ADDITIONAL UPDATE BELOW: The fellow I was helping actually had an Antivir infection – Avira had absolutely nothing to do with it. I used to recommend Avira wholeheartedly, but their nag screens come mighty close to scareware. I just saw one today, and again it really gave me heartburn. They overstate the advantages of the paid versions of Avira, and try to sell by scaring people. That isn’t right. I’m a convert to Microsoft Security Essentials and in my book updates I’ll be recommending MSE. Apologies for the missed note about Antivir, which is truly a piece of crapware. There’s nothing inherently wrong with Avira, as long as you don’t believe the scare screens.]

Avira used to be a good program. Now it’s a piece of unscrupulous crapware.

First, ditch Internet Explorer. Get Firefox and use it. IE is an unnecessary headache.

Second, download Microsoft Security Essentials but don’t install it just yet. MSE is free, and it works great – AND it won’t start nagging you for money.

Third, disconnect your computer from the Internet. Then click Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs and follow the instructions to remove Avira Antivir. You’ll probably have to stop Avira, and may have to re-boot once or twice in the process.

Fourth, re-boot your machine one more time.

Fifth, double-click on the downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials installer and follow the instructions to get MSE installed.

Sixth, plug your computer back into the Internet.

Your Avira pains should be gone and, after a fairly lengthy download, MSE will be protecting your PC, no problems at all.

UPDATE: Thanks to all of you who posted in defense of Avira. I still say MSE is a far better product, but the main point is that I got duped! The fellow who wrote to me is apparently the victim of a piece of crapware that’s using Avira’s name to legitimize itself. Details on the BleepingComputer site. I’ll stick with MSE, but the rogue program is the problem here, not Avira.