CCleaner update introduces Privacy options

Martin Brinkmann
May 24, 2018
Updated • May 26, 2018
Software
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119

The most recent version of CCleaner, a popular temporary file cleaning software for Windows, includes a new Privacy page that aims to give users of the application control over the program's data collection and integration of offers.

CCleaner build 5.43.6520 was released on May 23, 2018. The new version includes three changes according to the release notes; it removes font cache cleaning temporarily because of a compatibility issue with Windows 10 version 1803, added a new preference to select the level of detail on the results screen that is displayed after cleanup operations, and it adds a new privacy menu to the application.

CCleaner Privacy page

You can access the new privacy with a click on Options > Privacy in the CCleaner program interface. The menu lists the following two options right now:

  1. Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analytics purposes.
  2. Show offers for our other products.

Both options are checked in the free version by default. While you find checkboxes next to each option, clicking on them does nothing right now.

Update: Piriform informed me that it does not collect any personal identifiable information from free users and that this is the reason why the privacy settings are unavailable to free users.

Privacy settings are unavailable for Free users as we do not collect any personal identifiable information, so Free users are essentially anonymous.

Piriform released an update that changed the privacy page of CCleaner. The new page contains only one option that is checked by default. Free users of the program can uncheck "allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analytics purposes" in the software.

Update End

It is unclear at this point in time whether that is a bug or on purpose. A quick check of CCleaner's privacy policy suggests that a bug is more likely as it states under "choice":

Third party analytics – when we share your data with a third party for analytics, such as purchase optimization, crash reporting, and trend analytics. Note, all free users and paid customers can choose to turn of this feature.

According to the privacy policy, users may disable the sharing of analytics data with third-parties. Piriform does not reveal why it added the new privacy page to the application; the date suggests that it has something to do with the GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation, that comes into effect tomorrow.

I'm no expert on the GDPR and Piriform/Avast probably consulted lawyers about how to integrate the option into the program; still, from my understanding, opt-outs in regards to privacy should not really be allowed anymore when the GDPR takes effect, at least not for users who live in the European Union.

I contacted Piriform for clarification and will update the article when I receive an answer.

Closing Words

Did Piriform collect and share analytics data with third-parties collected in previous versions of CCleaner as well? I don't know the answer to that and will try to get clarification from the company on that, too.

In any case, Bleachbit is an alternative that you may want to check out.

Now You: What is your take on the new privacy options?

Summary
CCleaner update introduces Privacy options
Article Name
CCleaner update introduces Privacy options
Description
The most recent version of CCleaner, a popular temporary file cleaning software for Windows, includes a new Privacy page that aims to give users of the application control over the program's data collection and integration of offers.
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Comments

  1. asd said on July 12, 2018 at 7:39 pm
    Reply

    Thank heavens in Windows (unlike Android/iOS) you can easily firewall everything and only whitelist what you choose.

    1. EmilyM said on July 15, 2018 at 8:33 am
      Reply

      Sailing on a ship full of holes and worrying about one more…

  2. Ron said on May 28, 2018 at 4:17 pm
    Reply

    I too after reading this had found the uncheckable boxes after the latest update and wasn’t comfortable with it. So I just found that after uninstalling CCleaner and reinstalling the program that there seems to be a change already, now there is only one box that I was able to uncheck. Allow usage data to be shared with third parties for analytics purposes can now be unchecked.

    1. Shannana said on May 29, 2018 at 8:16 pm
      Reply

      @Ron

      Thanks for that good news Ron! Regardless, I personally just moved on to other solutions, but I will still likely recommend CCleaner to my complacent customers who use Facebook and such.

      1. Shannana375 said on May 29, 2018 at 11:43 pm
        Reply

        I see Martin updated the article:

        “Piriform released an update that changed the privacy page of CCleaner. The new page contains only one option that is checked by default. Free users of the program can uncheck “allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analytics purposes” in the software.”

  3. Cinikal said on May 28, 2018 at 1:10 pm
    Reply

    Can anyone settle this!?! Avast is BIG no doubt. CCleaner is NOW big no doubt.

    1. Tom Hawack said on May 28, 2018 at 1:36 pm
      Reply

      In my view “big” is not rational. I mean, if A=BIG and B=BIG I cannot assume A=B
      Also, “big” as such leaves a wide array to interpretation. A big boy may have a big head and small big toes, a big sister who happens to be a big eater working in a small company (but with BIG plans) who’s boss, big gambler and big tennis-fan has to make big decisions whilst his big problem is money even though as a senior in college, he was a big man on campus …

      What “big ” are you referring to?

      1. Shannana said on May 29, 2018 at 8:07 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        Good analogy, as with the tragic story of The Littlest Giant:

        https://www.google.com/search?q=“The+Littlest+Giant”

      2. Tom Hawack said on May 29, 2018 at 9:24 pm
        Reply

        @Shannana, I was only having fun on the basis I hadn’t understood what Cinikal’ comment could possibly mean : “Can anyone settle this!?! Avast is BIG no doubt. CCleaner is NOW big no doubt.”

        I took the opportunity to practice a game my parents would sometimes start with me when I was a kid : find a word with several dictionary nuanced definitions and try to combine them in one sentence (which has a meaning, even if absurd!) In this case I went over to https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/, searched for ‘big’ and committed my above absolutely hilarious combination :=)

        Another far smarter game was to plead for one argument and then plead for it’s opposite. I loved that too, yet never became an attorney! lol

      3. Shannana said on June 4, 2018 at 3:53 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        Ah ha. I too found that comment as questionable, or what I would call silly. I likewise enjoy playing games with such, where something more meaningful may proceed. But alas, as you may have learned, some folks get insulted regardless, which I likewise find silly.

        It sounds like you had some smart and fun parents. Sadly, my parents didn’t take such time with me, as they were simpletons with little interest in understanding more. But alas, I still had the fortune of having good teachers and libraries.

      4. Tom Hawack said on June 4, 2018 at 4:20 pm
        Reply

        @Shannana, parents do their best, I don’t think they should be compared to a whatever ideal reference, not more than individuals should. There comes a time in life when we realize that our parents are human beings, not heroes, not gods, only humans. We all have our best and less good, our destinies. Simpleton or not is not and never has been a proof of success and education is not determinant : we are free. Concerning relationships, so many problems are caused by misunderstandings. Our consciousness makes things apparently quite complex and often perceived as complicated; I think we assume too quickly and judge too easily.

        All this is bouncing on comments initiated a week ago. Does time fly, I have the feeling it was far older!

      5. Shannana said on June 5, 2018 at 2:04 am
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        Looks like we have overwhelmed this page with our so-called ‘prattling’, ha. But it is still all very related to CCleaner, because I said so, ha.

        BTW, I blame my parents for nothing and am nothing but grateful for them, but they were simpletons, ha. So there you go.

        As for time flying (or not), I find I get much more out of life by engaging in new, challenging things in various ways.

        “Our consciousness makes things apparently quite complex and often perceived as complicated; I think we assume too quickly and judge too easily.”

        I wouldn’t say our consciousness does that, but I’ll leave that topic (consciousness) for another time perhaps. I will say, I think some things are complicated, likely never to be understood by us, then some things are a challenge that take much study for even the smartest of us to grasp. Then there’s the seemingly easier stuff, that we can still be wrong about. That said, I find that all too many folks tend to be know-it-alls about complicated things, where at some level they may have doubts, but they still don’t hold back from professing their feelings/theories as undeniable fact. I tend to think such folks are just snobs, but I’m sure that’s just an oversimplification on my part, ha.

        As for perception, I think it’s human nature for everyone to periodically hallucinate to some degree. IMO, the task is using your imagination to benefit from it, by applying it to reality. Yet I guess that’s easier said than done for some, especially when they can’t discern between a hallucination and the imagination, ha.

        Compared to what I can imagine (which is limited) I also tend to think we assume too quickly and judge too easily on many levels. Yet if that’s true, then I imagine there’s still a good reason for it, such as some evolutionary benefit. For example, some argue that many of our ancestors survived plagues by being extremely paranoid of others and such. Yet perhaps that trait does not serve us that well anymore, as we approach our impending, self-inflicted doomsday?

        Well, it looks like I’ve dug to the bottom. Can you see a way out? Oh look, a tunnel, I’m going in.. Ha.

        So there you have it, and that’s why I no longer use CCleaner. Ha.

  4. Hy said on May 28, 2018 at 7:31 am
    Reply

    Martin, FYI, I notice that it seems at least several of the comment replies here haven’t shown up where they were supposed to…

  5. Knaatch said on May 27, 2018 at 1:41 am
    Reply

    What is all this clamour about Avast ? It is a good, free Antivirus. Bloated, yes, but I can choose what to enable or disable and it’s light on resources. So what are the complaints about Avast ? Please bring it out in the open and don’t simply accuse without evidence.

    1. Shannana said on May 27, 2018 at 2:04 pm
      Reply

      @Knaatch

      Remember, these are just blog comments, where anecdotal truthiness is expected.

      But if you expect evidence, then here you go:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBxAjfiRmZ8

      1. Knaatch said on May 27, 2018 at 5:24 pm
        Reply

        @Shannana

        Wonderful evidence. A Youtube video in Krumolsky language, or maybe Russian, an English speaking Person can’t understand. Guess all the upbraid is just that and nothing else. I will keep Ccleaner and Avast and follow my own instincts. Seems complaining about everything has become the standard these days.

      2. Shannana said on May 27, 2018 at 9:50 pm
        Reply

        @Knaatch

        Well, I hope you got my point and a little laugh with that video. If not, I suggest you not fuss too much over such, as it sounds that you have.

        Life is too short; enjoy what you can.

        And thanks for your anecdotal cheer for Avast, as I still found fun in it.

        Peace to you fellow traveler.

      3. Ellen said on May 28, 2018 at 4:08 pm
        Reply

        Shannana, how does your reply answer a legitimate question ? Despite being very useful and informational, there is much too much prattling going on here on this site.

      4. Shannana said on May 29, 2018 at 6:43 pm
        Reply

        @Ellen

        My reply to the so-called legitimate question was obviously not my concern there, nor should such be expected of me or anyone here, as we are free agents.

        My focus was that of a wider perspective, to shine light on what I think is a rather silly issue to focus on, but nevertheless a concern, and I respect that, thus my thoughtful reply.

        Furthermore, I don’t think so-called clamor and prattling is a an issue worth fussing over here, where instead I prefer to value it as opinion, such as with polls. Also, as we can see, some sensitive folks here are not comfortable with apposing opinions and thus retaliate with their various tactics involving subterfuge. As such, I find such demoralizing of users concerning as it’s related to bullying and censorship. But regardless, I don’t fuss over it, and I appreciate the freedom for all to share their many opinions, regardless of how nascent or wrong they may be, as the consequence of such is no threat, but more so an opportunity IMO. To sum up my thinking, I see little value in trying to rebuke opposing views with silly comments, but if that’s the game some folks want to play, then I guess we can expect more tip for tat.

        That said, to answer that question about Avast, my advice is to pursue trusted reviews for such info. Personally, I like starting with Google. I would first search with “Avast vs” and take it from there. Also, one could just direct the question (and issues) to the specific user(s) in question here directly, as that’s likely the prudent thing to do, as it opens the door for relevant understanding.

      5. Ellen said on May 30, 2018 at 2:18 am
        Reply

        @Shannana

        Sorry, but Knaatch was right when mentioning the prattling on this site. You talk and talk but you don’t have any evidence regarding Avast. Good day, Sir or Madam.

      6. Munak said on June 4, 2018 at 3:18 pm
        Reply

        @Ellen

        Knaatch never complained about ‘prattling’, that was you, and it’s just your opinion; not a fact as you asserted.

        Personally, I appreciate the in-depth comments here, as apposed to knee-jerk complaints based on just personal feelings.

        Also, I think you were rude to Shannana for no good reason, where Shannana took the time to meaningfully explain things, which I see you chose to ignore with yet more redundant complaining.

        TIP: If you’re going to complain, it helps to be honest and meaningful. Otherwise you may come off as an angry, ignorant, stubborn, delusional, narrow-minded simpleton, and I have faith in all that is good that you can provide us with more than just that.

      7. Tom Hawack said on May 27, 2018 at 5:40 pm
        Reply

        ‘Polygot 3000’ analyses the video description as being written in Ukrainian. Not easier than Russian. Maybe Shannana can translate the video? :=)

  6. Cinika said on May 26, 2018 at 1:16 pm
    Reply

    Anyone know where to get a clean copy of v5.32?

    1. OmegaO said on May 26, 2018 at 2:05 pm
      Reply

      Filehippo has v5.32 and all the other older final/beta versions, as for VirusTotal! i don’t see the reason why it shouldn’t pass it since Filehippo is a reputable website

      Personally i don’t think it’s a good idea security\compatibility wise to use such an ancient version of CCleaner, IMO it’s better if you choose some other cleaning program.

      1. Cinikal said on May 26, 2018 at 9:04 pm
        Reply

        Thanks but VirusTotal throws up a few red marks so pass.

  7. Cinikal said on May 26, 2018 at 10:57 am
    Reply

    Anyone know where I can get older versions of CCleaner portable, that passes VirusTotal!?

    On a side note THIS CHECK BOX SUCKS

    1. Cinikal said on May 27, 2018 at 12:48 am
      Reply

      “On a side note THIS CHECK BOX SUCKS”

      On a small tablet at least.

  8. MKEY said on May 25, 2018 at 7:58 pm
    Reply

    They just released the new version in that you can uncheck this options!

    1. Tom Hawack said on May 25, 2018 at 9:28 pm
      Reply

      Indeed :

      “Release Notes
      v5.43.6522 (25 May 2018)
      – Amended Privacy menu in CCleaner Free to include opt out of sharing usage data with third parties for analytics purposes”

      Psychological pleasure, won’t change anything for users of CCleaner FREE version.

      1. scorpiogreen said on May 26, 2018 at 8:06 am
        Reply

        After all the flack they received the last few days, I’m not surprised..

        “Psychological pleasure, won’t change anything for users of CCleaner FREE version.”

        So the now tickable boxes are bogus? They don’t mean anything?

      2. Tom Hawack said on May 26, 2018 at 10:26 am
        Reply

        @scorpiogreen, “So the now tickable boxes are bogus? They don’t mean anything?”

        That’s indeed the first logical question. I pain to understand.
        It seems that,
        1- the sharing usage data option dosen’t concern the free version of CCleaner,
        2- because CCleaner Free isn’t concerned, the default (options checked meaning opt-out required) were blocked,
        3- the buzz and bad image inspired by what appeared as an obligation (checked grayed out boxes) have led to a clickable option which in fact is baloney : not because the option wouldn’t have been removed but because, available or not, checked or not doesn’t change anything to the way CCleaner Free runs …

        It’s like asking to be forgiven for something you never said on the sole basis that you have been misunderstood : empty logic but smart behavior, a demonstration that formal logic is not always the best answer to intelligence.

  9. Robert said on May 25, 2018 at 2:52 pm
    Reply

    I really don’t trust Avast. Since they took over Piriform I have had to delete their cookies from the paid version. And now this? Perhaps we need to install a privacy cleaner that will clean Ccleaner.

  10. exrelayman said on May 25, 2018 at 2:52 pm
    Reply

    For those a bit less tech savvy like me, there is a pc software called OneClick Firewall, available here:

    https://winaero.com/comment.php?comment.news.1841

    It works with the native Windows firewall. Once it is installed, simply right click the program icon of any software and then click the block internet access icon which appears in the menu. I have blocked internet access for Ccleaner and Speccy based on info in the article and previous comments.

    Note 1: Right clicking the icon in the Windows 10 start menu does not give you the menu required. Find the program in the folder where it is installed and then right click the icon with the .exe extension and the required menu appears.

    Note 2: Since you have blocked internet access for a program, the software will not notify you about available updates – using PatchMyPc or Sumo will help you keep up to date.

  11. Shannana said on May 25, 2018 at 12:07 pm
    Reply

    Thanks Martin, I likely never would have noticed that evil update otherwise! It was bad enough we have to uncheck that Avast software it tries to instill, and now this crap. That’s it, CCleaner is dead to me now. I’m staying with just Bleachbit for now.

    Also, it’s time to send you a donation buddy, THANKS!

    1. Hy said on May 26, 2018 at 10:26 am
      Reply

      Shannana said: “Thanks Martin, I likely never would have noticed that evil update otherwise!”

      I’m feeling incredibly dense about this for some reason…maybe I’m really missing something.

      What precisely is EVIL about this update? Thanks!

      1. Shannana said on May 26, 2018 at 1:28 pm
        Reply

        @Hy

        Evil? Not at all, I was just joking. I obviously love to have software settings that do nothing for no good reason. Also, I love it when software installs things I don’t want because I missed an obscure option. I empathize deeply with all companies and know they are never at fault when I get malware from them.. Oh, and the way they pay folks to join in on there fun is golden. But most of all, I love how they trick us into serving them, as they truly are bigger than GOD. Praise be that we have Big Brother watching over us!

  12. Anonymous said on May 25, 2018 at 7:37 am
    Reply

    create portable version is simple.
    just get ccleaner.exe from installer version, then create empty file with name portable.dat

    ccleaner run in portable mode

    1. ilev said on May 28, 2018 at 5:33 am
      Reply

      No, it does not. Still needs installation.

  13. ilev said on May 25, 2018 at 5:47 am
    Reply

    No portable version as yet.

      1. ilev said on May 26, 2018 at 8:08 am
        Reply

        I don’t download non official apps from shady sites.

  14. Paul said on May 25, 2018 at 4:58 am
    Reply

    Just use an older version like most software just step back a little and your problems are solved. Personally I use 5.24.5841 pro and will simply never update it. Also like was mentioned bleachbit is great.

    Be smart be safe

    And while I am it ditch windows 10 even LTSB can’t be locked down and either go back to windows 7 or 8.1 if you need windows or linux if you don’t.

  15. I WonderWhy said on May 24, 2018 at 11:28 pm
    Reply

    Ask yourself why you think you NEED a program like CCleaner.

    You’ll realise you actually don’t and if you think you do, sort out the reason you think you do :)

    Stop the (assumed) need in the first place!

    1. Shannana said on June 10, 2018 at 2:21 am
      Reply

      @I WonderWhy

      I think you’re assuming too much about how folks should or shouldn’t think, yet your narrow thinking there might be handy in working with robots.

      But alas, we are not robots, where many (if not most) folks simply find more value in using CCleaner than not using it (or vice versa), where ‘need’ is of no concern to them, contrary to what you assert with your silly imperative.

      Yet as silly as that likely is (and that’s just my opinion), I can certainly see why Hy is a fan of such, ha.

    2. Hy said on May 26, 2018 at 10:20 am
      Reply

      I WonderWhy said:

      “Ask yourself why you think you NEED a program like CCleaner.
      You’ll realise you actually don’t and if you think you do, sort out the reason you think you do :)
      Stop the (assumed) need in the first place!”

      This is a great point, and applicable to more things than software… Thanks for posting this!

  16. Anonymous said on May 24, 2018 at 10:58 pm
    Reply

    I don’t like the title of this article, people might understand that it protects your privacy more than before when it’s exactly the opposite. Should have been “Crap Cleaner introduces crap” instead.

    1. Hy said on May 25, 2018 at 7:40 am
      Reply

      @Anonymous: “I don’t like the title of this article, [sic] people might understand that it protects your privacy more than before when it’s exactly the opposite.”

      Um, I’m not seeing that. My latest paid pro version now has three checkbox options allowing me to opt out of sharing my usage data, opt out of seeing offers, etc.. I never saw any offers before anyway, and I’ve had the program and associated analytics stuff blocked at both HOSTS level and firewall level and used it only locally anyway, but I unchecked all three boxes of course and I appreciate having that option.

      The title of this article is fine in my humble but correct opinion. :) The situation for free users seems a bit unclear, and although it doesn’t affect me personally I look forward to Martin’s update with clarification from Piriform.

      I don’t see what Piriform has introduced in this latest version except for the three new opt-out privacy options, and a cleaning results option. (Thank God! That recent cleaning results summary change was ridiculous.)

      As an aside, I wonder how many people commenting have actually already looked through the options of this latest version of CCleaner before commenting on it…

  17. XenoSilvano said on May 24, 2018 at 10:58 pm
    Reply

    sneaky ########(!)

    Good thing, Martin is looking out for our best interest

    I updated to the latest version of CCleaner today, I would most likely not have noticed this alteration to the program if it were not for this article

    I hope there are more initiatives like the GDPR as time move forward, tech development companies need to be more explicit about what information they retrieve from their users aside from giving the same the choice of whether they want to participate or not, they should not be allow to take any information away from people without their explicit consent

    1. Tom Hawack said on May 26, 2018 at 12:46 pm
      Reply

      @Shannana (May 26, 2018 at 12:39 pm), I don’t get your point there …

      1. Shannana said on May 28, 2018 at 1:40 am
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack (May 26, 2018 at 12:46 pm)

        Sorry if you found that vexing, but that was for Hy, perhaps involving a level of counter subterfuge to the supposition? Sometimes such is as good as it gets, where all I can do is hope to be granted authority to apologize in proxy for anything deemed inappropriate here. Beyond that, I’m at a loss to coherently explain more, being things as they may with such circuitous folly. I could go on, but do to my ambiguous imperative in this matter, the best we could expect would likely be more convoluted blather on my part.

      2. Tom Hawack said on May 28, 2018 at 2:10 am
        Reply

        @Shannana, I didn’t have the time to carry on with your former comment!

        “So you are French. Ah-ha, that explains it. I will try to be more gentile with you from now on”

        Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect gentleness and, as far as it’s for fun and if it makes your day, do insult me as much as you please! I am only referring to myself when I write that insulting with a big laugh and smile is not my cup of tea :=) As for French people I’d say they are far less gentle, at first sight, then most other. We have a tradition of saying what we have in mind, frankly, sometimes straightforwardly. Beware of clichés! But don’t worry, we also often fall in one of those those generalizations where Brits, Yankees, Swiss and Belgians (Germans, less), the whole planet in fact besides us, are granted with all the clichés available!

        Traveling is great for that, discovering people, cultures, beyond those global idea about global groups.

        You dislike French movies? But which ones? True that we produce entertainment fictions maybe more than Americans produce what you consider as our signature : intellectualism, maybe because entertainment is far easier :=)

        I try to avoid those clichés. Countries are wide (besides maybe Monaco, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Andorra … lol — I mean in fact we are all and each one of us individuals before being pawns of a population; hence everyone is different, hard to bet and win it on a systematic relationship between a citizenship, a culture and the deep mind of any one of us.

        I’ve had a hard day. Off to sleep. See you later, alligator!

      3. Shannana said on May 28, 2018 at 4:41 am
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        Yup, ditto to all that. I guess my cultural bend is centered through universities, which is international for the most part. Through school and work I’ve made friends with Norwegians, Scandinavians, French, German, and Japanese folks. Although Communications/English and Fine Art have been my gigs, I always related most with the Euro geeks in computer science, physics, and engineering. The Norwegians/Scandinavians always had the best parties, ha.

        So back to the relevant topic; I gave PrivaZer another run and all went well. So it’s a keeper, next to Bleachbit. Also, for a software remover I’m using Geek Uninstaller which seems to work good.

  18. jake said on May 24, 2018 at 10:08 pm
    Reply

    Irony that a program designed to clean and protect has been redesigned (assuming they weren’t previously collecting data in the background) as a data-sharing / hording weapon against their users. RIP ccleaner for joining the cesspool that are modern, closed-source applications.

    I’ve moved over to Linux a few years back but Piriform’s actions probably apply to their other products now: Defraggler, Recuva and Speccy.

    1. Shannana said on May 25, 2018 at 12:18 pm
      Reply

      @jake

      Thanks for that reminder! I also use Speccy, so goodbye to that as well. Pirifom is dead and Avast can’t be trusted!

      1. Tom Hawack said on May 25, 2018 at 12:44 pm
        Reply

        @Shannana, Hang ‘Em High, right? I dislike as well the scenario of a competitive team bringing up nice applications then being bought by a company adding new privacy politics. The Piriform team is one thing, Avast another, why hang ’em both when the former is a good and talented cowboy who got his ranch bought by a nefarious sheriff?!

      2. Hy said on May 26, 2018 at 10:13 am
        Reply

        Tom Hawack said: “@Shannana, Hang ‘Em High, right?”

        Oh that is so funny. Thanks, Tom, for making me laugh out loud!

        “The Piriform team is one thing, Avast another, why hang ’em both when the former is a good and talented cowboy who got his ranch bought by a nefarious sheriff?!”

        I agree completely.

      3. Shannana said on May 26, 2018 at 12:39 pm
        Reply

        @Hy

        So you agree completely with a silly, loaded question. As if that’s rational, which it isn’t.

        Just remember, the customer is here, and they can see the clear truth of things, regardless of your tribal rhetoric.

        In other words, if you actually want to support CCleaner, then such tactics will not work. Yet I understand the limitations of what you are left to work with.

        Regardless, I hope you find some reward in your game of spin, as if CCleaner is the victim here, ha.

        Poor CCleaner, the bullies are picking on them again. Boohoo.

      4. Shannana said on May 25, 2018 at 6:39 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        Well, in your scenario, I have no issue with the cowboy as i don’t care about him as he can go work elsewhere or join in on the corruption, whatever. I just care what the ranch produces and being that the sheriff can’t be trusted and the produce is tainted, then that’s a deal breaker. I gave them another chance and they failed. Also, keep in mind that I’m not quick to such judgment either, as I work with devs and know the gig. For example, I stayed with Opera even after that sketchy Chinese group gained control. But thing is, Opera got even better IMO. Sadly, I can’t say that about CCleaner. I even tried that CCleaner update, and sure enough, those options can’t be unselected. That is unacceptable to me. So yes, Piriform is dead to me, and I blame Avast. Could i be wrong or too harsh? Perhaps, but i have other options with less fuss IMO, so no loss to me.

        I do wish the best for Avast though. Maybe in 5 years after they heed good PR instead of sketchy marketing, I may try some of their products again. Such was the saga with Tucows and many others who had to learn the hard way. But alas, some folks who run these companies don’t care, as they cash in ASAP with their eyes on the exit.

        BTW, on a side note, I work in PR and recently helped a notable security related company with cleaning up their sketchy marketing. I did what I could and left them with this warning: Right or wrong, if you keep this up you may end up like Kaspersky or worse.

      5. Tom Hawack said on May 25, 2018 at 7:10 pm
        Reply

        @Shannana, looks like your decision is rational and, even if I disagree once workarounds exist, I can understand your point of view.

        My comment aimed more particularly the amount of users — wherever they comment — who seem so quick to condemn and so reluctant to compliment an application, software, a company. I had answered to your comment as I could have answered to another as radical even if maybe less thought than yours.

        My point is that Piriform is a company made of individuals, talented and running I guess more after code than profit as a first aim: coders who do nice stuff. Their company gets bought – we see that every day – by a mastodon. If I cannot find a workaround to keep the best (CCleaner) while skipping the worst (Avast tracking) then I split with both; if I can, and I can, then I keep it.

        Of course should I realize that whatever I do I keep on being tracked then I’d be Radical#1 (happened, happens, web sites included, when the alternative is take it or leave : I leave. I was far more intransigent in my younger years and I happened to wonder if flexibility of mind wouldn’t happen to be a better option, at least occasionally.

      6. Hy said on May 26, 2018 at 10:16 am
        Reply

        Tom Hawack said:

        “My comment aimed more particularly the amount of users — wherever they comment — who seem so quick to condemn and so reluctant to compliment an application, software, a company.”

        This is a great point and obviously true. I’ve heard it’s easier to smile than to frown, but it seems it’s more appealing to some (many?) folks to criticize and complain rather than compliment and express gratitude for something.

        “If I cannot find a workaround to keep the best (CCleaner) while skipping the worst (Avast tracking) then I split with both; if I can, and I can, then I keep it. Of course should I realize that whatever I do I keep on being tracked then I’d be Radical#1 (happened, happens, web sites included, when the alternative is take it or leave : I leave. I was far more intransigent in my younger years and I happened to wonder if flexibility of mind wouldn’t happen to be a better option, at least occasionally.”

        You’re nailing it for my money, Tom, on every point. Think I’ve found my forum doppelgänger today… :)

      7. Shannana said on May 26, 2018 at 12:30 am
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        All good. No big loss for either of us, just different paths on this issue for now.

        BTW, I wrote another comment but it didn’t show up yet, if ever. Hmm, oh well, I was just blabbing more of the same. Perhaps it will pop up still, if Avast allows it, ha.

        Also, I forget to mention to anyone who cares, that besides Bleachbit, there’s also PrivaZer.

        PrivaZer is said to go deeper than CCleaner or Bleachbit, but it does take much longer. It has many settings and I find the GUI rather funky, but it is a valued and trusted option among many in the security/privacy community.

      8. Tom Hawack said on May 26, 2018 at 12:58 am
        Reply

        @Shannana, I’ve had a rather bad experience in the past with PrivaZer, I must have initiated an excessively thorough cleaning then, BSOD, impossible to reboot; fortunately I had a system backup.

        If I were to choose another cleaner than CCleaner I guess it would be BleachBit. Anyway, nothing too strong because cleaning for privacy isn’t worth the risk as cleaning malware. Easy does it and that means no Registry cleaning, at least not without the dedicated tools I use. I’m not going to break the OS for the sake of semi-confidential data :=) To be honest, given my configuration, defense settings, cleaning here is more a cherry on the cake operation…

      9. Shannana said on May 26, 2018 at 11:59 am
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        Thanks for pointing that out about PrivaZer. I’ve also had a bad experience with PrivaZer, where it messed up my login process, where I got nothing but a black screen. That was the first and last time i used it. But there are so-called safer settings in PrivaZer, but still.. Regardless, over at Wilders Security Forums and MalwareTips Forums, i found much talk of PrivaZer. Most of it was all good, with some warnings, such as always making backups before running it.. So there you go.. Personally, I don’t think I will ever use it again and keep using just Bleachbit.

        Furthermore, after sleeping on this whole CCleaner issue and thanks to your guidance, I have conceded that I should still keep my options open to CCleaner and even Avast. In fact, perhaps I could do some PR for them, ha. As an agent for Avast, perhaps I will be the one who explains to Martin why CCleaner did what they did. I guess I would say that it was a mistake, and that we now display this in that section:

        > These options are disabled for users of the free version of CCleaner <

        There you go Avast, some free advice.

        ———

        As for security/privacy, I think we are on the same page. I'm a geek at heart, so I do like to research and test tech, but I don't expect too much or think that I understand it all. Personally, I just make backups and expect my computers to always fail, so I don't fuss much. Yet my gig keeps me involved with more.

        I'm basically just a retired teacher, who has ended up writing for some tech companies, one of which is huge, and likely not trustworthy on some levels. But out of respect to them, I will not disclose who they are. But I guess it's no matter, as they are likely little different than their competition, as you can imagine. Regardless, I don't think I will ever work for them again. But if I do, I will boldly demand to be CCO with power over the CMO. Now I doubt that will ever happen, as they would likely laugh at the idea, ha. Yet this does reflect a battle that has been going on between PR (communications) and marketing within many large companies. My PR view is that the company wins when the customer wins, so I look for those profitable win-win solutions. Marketing on the other hand, they tend to spin that with lies and tricks; to milk the customer for whatever they can.. And when they go too far, they expect PR to spin it into gold. And so it goes..

      10. Tom Hawack said on May 26, 2018 at 12:33 pm
        Reply

        @Shannana (May 26, 2018 at 11:59 am),

        “I have conceded that I should still keep my options open to CCleaner and even Avast.”

        You may be wiser than I am because Avast in my view is out of my (nearly) open mind :=) and not only for the CCleaner specifics.

        Your analysis of a company’s equation between communication and marketing is pertinent, interesting. I haven’t experienced either as an actor but as an observer, that of a consumer, I guess it and have it in some way unfolded with your comment.

        You’ve exercised teaching, which doesn’t surprise me given the perspective of your comments.

        “My PR view is that the company wins when the customer wins” : I totally agree. And to remain faithful to my eternal digressions I’d even state that I believe that on the long-term honesty is always the best option, for profit included. But the term may be long (a lifetime is sometimes not enough) while short-medium terms is the horizon of fast cash nowadays.

        On the other hand progress is fed by progressive minds and I dare say that my conviction is, as it has always been even with occasional doubts, that the “world is unfolding as it should” to refer to the famous ‘Desiderata’, even it takes time… the best (I avoid the word “truth”) will prevail. Especially if I, we act, behave accordingly.

      11. Shannana said on May 26, 2018 at 6:42 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        Note that my thinking with Avast was that I might be able to help them with PR. Otherwise, I’m no fan of them, yet.

        As for what should or shouldn’t be, I can’t simply say, but I have my opinions based on what little I know. I know that in some circles their business wisdom teaches that when in doubt, do what makes the most money now. Yet I think that is often shortsighted thinking, although that may be the prudent thing to do sometimes. Yet most times I find it’s better to explore doubt and thus other options, as long as it doesn’t take too long, thus thwarting the main goal.

        I’ve been in boardrooms where a speaker will say something like “We have two choices…” and then lay those paths out, as if that is true, but it often never is. In the end, what is often ignored is that it’s all rather complicated involving various risk, where hope and feelings are at play and perhaps all we have sometimes. Regardless, they tend to charge on thinking they are objective and rational with their numbers and charts, often fueled by nothing but false optimism, greed and desire. I find such groupthink placebos absurd, but they are powerful tools regardless. Furthermore, for lack of a better word, I think there’s ‘magic’ in such, but that doesn’t guarantee a win.

        That said, I venture to say that such business practice is a religion. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but rather just an observation to consider.

        —–

        Thanks for sharing Desiderata. I’m familiar with some quotes from it, but it never stuck on my radar, yet I’ve been flying in that same airspace sometimes.

        You said:

        “On the other hand progress is fed by progressive minds and I dare say that my conviction is, as it has always been even with occasional doubts, that the “world is unfolding as it should” to refer to the famous ‘Desiderata’, even it takes time… the best (I avoid the word “truth”) will prevail. Especially if I, we act, behave accordingly.”

        Hmm. But what is progress? Is progress success, and for who or what? Is it change, the process of some fate, the arrow of time? IDK, but without going into much detail, I tend to think that both freewill and fate coexist, in a realm of infinite possibilities unique to our individual paths, where everything that could happen has, beyond our view, out there. Ha.. Yup, I dabble with philosophy, a muse of mine.

        For me, among other things, success is being able to enjoy peace of mind, even in the face of tragedy. To be content with yourself, without want, pride, or confirmation from others. Through honest introspection, to surrender to one’s self and all that is.. Yet I’m just talking psychobabble now, ha. As much success is the reward from hard work, and money is king there.

        As for ‘conviction’, I relate that to ‘purpose’, which I’m not a big fan of, but I see value in it. I’m more a fan of doubt, as I find creativity/ideas stem from it. Yet I think we need both conviction/purpose and creativity/ideas with those camps working together to achieve genuine progress/success in the world. But perhaps I’m wrong. I would likely need 1,000 years more to confirm that.

        As for much of the so-called ‘truth’ we value, I see it as an elusive goal that at best keeps us moving on. Yet if you look deeper, ‘truth’ is related to ‘hope’, and hope is at the center of who we are IMO. I dare to say that hope is an evolutionary construct, what some call God, but IDK.

      12. Tom Hawack said on May 26, 2018 at 7:34 pm
        Reply

        @Shannana, we’re evoking deep thoughts because deep topics. As always in a dialog answers trigger questions and so forth. I face as your comments seem to express it similar questionings and the worst temptation sometimes, that of choosing certitude versus doubt. We need psychological and cultural references of course but freedom of mind requires the effort to emancipate, continuously from them. I worship doubt. I have but one certitude, anchored beyond this world.

        Business. Wide topic. Irreconcilable when excessive with the fundamentals of ethics. It is admitted that capitalism is not immoral but amoral, as if God were to be of all our worlds except that of business, business as a no-Lord’s area. Surprising, moreover within countries who venerate religiously the almighty.

        Freedom. So there must be a possible joint-venture (!) between business and ethics. I believe there is but that requires another way of dealing with profit. Better deals, narrowed margins. I cannot conceive communism, long live freedom but also equality. “Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood” is France’s philosophy. And when we think about it, if Liberty and Equality entertain an obvious dialectic, Brotherhood may very well be the only entrance to conciliate them two.

        Wat is progress? Maybe when the progress of a few in their respective lives, careers, concepts, religions, politics coincide with those of others, of all if it were ever one day eve possible.

        As you I search. But whatever the answers (which can themselves evolve) I really cannot imagine they ever be compatible with the absence of respect and consideration (“love” is asking much, let’s start modestly!) for all and for the one we face to start with.

        If you heard the words of this American bishop for the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, words of love, said with love for love, beyond marriage, addressed to humanity. Fabulous it was. Emotion. I even cried, gently hearing him speak. Emotion, as when admiring a painting in Florence or as Nietsche when he cried as a child when viewing a man beat an animal : emotion, that emotion which seems to enlighten you on where the essentials are, the best and the worst.

        I have to get my coffee now.

      13. Hy said on May 28, 2018 at 7:29 am
        Reply

        Tom Hawack said: “But whatever the answers (which can themselves evolve) I really cannot imagine they ever be compatible with the absence of respect and consideration (“love” is asking much, let’s start modestly!) for all and for the one we face to start with.”

        Well-put, Tom, and I notice and appreciate that you always practice that here with everyone, even with the blowhards and the visibly volatile.

      14. Shannana said on May 27, 2018 at 1:20 pm
        Reply

        For me, exchanging empathy, love, compassion, and understanding is what makes all relationships worth having. Otherwise, better to enjoy solitude with a love for life IMO. Yet in our competitive world all too many folks seem to not hold such values, and I understand that. So as you said, we are left with ethics, policies, laws to help even the grind (AKA government). Yet as we know, finding a fair balance in government has never gone smooth for long, and as we have seen, the extremes of such have been catastrophic disasters. And so it goes, ha.

        All in all, I think history is our best teacher with such matters. Yet regardless of the task in trying to find what historically works, finding what is relevant for out time is likewise a challenge. Personally, I’m a fan of memoirs, and find much wisdom in them. Richard Feynman comes to mind:

        “Doubt is not a new idea; this is the idea of the age of reason. This is the philosophy that guided the men who made the democracy that we live under. The idea that no one really knew how to run a government led to the idea that we should arrange a system by which new ideas could be developed, tried out, and tossed out if necessary, with more new ideas bought in – a trial-and-error system. This method was a result of the fact that science was already showing itself to be a successful venture at the end of the eighteenth century. Even then it was clear to socially minded people that the openness of possibilities was an opportunity, and that doubt and discussion were essential to progress into the unknown. If we want to solve a problem that we have never solved before, we must leave the door to the unknown ajar…doubt is not to be feared, but welcomed and discussed.”

        Well, I guess that’s it. Way more than I expected to engage in on a tech blog, ha.

        BTW, next time if and when we comment here with another topic from Martin, feel free to insult me and expect the same from me, just for fun, ha. Just remember not to take it too far, as we don’t want to flip Martin out too much.

      15. Tom Hawack said on May 27, 2018 at 1:58 pm
        Reply

        @Shannana, quote from Richard Feynman is relevant of the share of doubt there is in pragmatism contrarily to ideology. Nice.

        You write, with a smile “feel free to insult me and expect the same from me, just for fun, ha.”

        That reminds me a movie I love, “Gran Torino” starting Clint Eastwood. At one time, this scene of how good friends when real friends and real males can — and even should! — insult each other (“just for fun”!), maybe because doing so puts authenticity in a male relationship and avoids the dull appearance of kindness, kindness which is often perceived in the States as an urban, feminine conduct. I can understand that but it’s not my culture, it’s not French and perhaps not European (haven’t lived enough in European countries). I do get mad sometimes, and even so I don’t insult, even “for fun”. It’s more relevant of an ambient culture than of education!

        I could give it a try but it wouldn’t be natural. To be or not to be. Reminds me this story where a Casanova is asked by a friend “How do you manage with women to conquer them all?” and who answers “Be frank, direct”. — The guy tries the advice the day he meets a gorgeous gal … and he gets slapped! — To be or not to be. You can’t play attitudes.

      16. Shannana said on May 27, 2018 at 9:37 pm
        Reply

        When it comes to insults, as we know, just because one feels offended, that doesn’t mean an insult was ever delivered. Regardless, with that and more, I find that intellectual conversations can get stagnant sometimes, where folks hide behind eloquent words too much, which can lead to a false world view IMO. As such, I find that some sort of shock can help expose more raw things worth exploring, such as via the method of insults, but more so with humor. Also, I see it as a way to remind us (the snobby elites) that we are arguably no better than the riffraff who piss on our floor.

        Then there are those other types of insults I think we all do to some degree. They are those subtle insults, often used to gage things about people, based on their response. For example:

        ‘So you are French. Ah-ha, that explains it. I will try to be more gentile with you from now on.’

        Such innuendos are an unwelcome tactic, but if used right should go unnoticed with no harm done. In fact, I guess I just did it there, or did I?.. Sadly though, all too many have fallen victim to it being used in some harsh and open ways, such as in groups involving bullying, as with social. Thus from that, we get many paranoid folks who think hidden insults are everywhere, directed at them. Thing is, that still may be true, ha. Still, I see no need to label all insults as something to be abolished; quite the contrary IMO.

        In communication, it’s one thing to understand words but another to understand people. Where instead of getting insulted, try to understand the ‘why’ of what was said to you. You just might find it has nothing to do with you. It just may mean the person is a crazy megalomaniac, who needs some love, or a kick out the door, ha.

        That said, I’m sure we have some huge cultural differences you an I. For example, I hate all those so-called classic French movies, yawn. But I do enjoy much of the music, new and old.

        When it comes to music, I’m a connoisseur of all cultures.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZyN5OezGqQ

      17. Shannana said on May 25, 2018 at 11:44 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack

        Yup, I understand, and agree with where you’re coming from. Nope, I’m not a fan of kicking someone when they are down or joining in on witch-hunts. For example, I think the media and company were way too quick to condemn Kaspersky before all the facts were in with those allegations. To sum up my thinking, I’d rather have criminals running around than having the innocent falsely accused and condemned.

        But with this issue, before I even read the whole article here or read any comments, I DL that CCleaner update and found those stuck options on my own, with help from the picture here. So when I went to uncheck them with no response, I knew something was wrong. In short, I was not a happy camper after that surprise.

        As for the ways around it, my humble needs don’t require such, as i just moved on with no rage. Now if it was my only option and i wanted it, then sure, but i’m not dependent on all the great stuff CCleaner does. But I get where you are coming from and it’s great folks are sharing their work-arounds. I know the situation, as I’m still using DownThemAll via Basilisk, which is sketchy and not wise. But I needs my DownThemAll! Now I run it in a VM and in a sandbox, but it’s still not wise IMO. I really should just use Wget , but there you go.

        As for privacy and tracking, that’s not a huge concern of mine. But I’ve found that sketchy marketers are often kin with even worse folks, and that involves security, and i do care about that.

        But what do i know? Hmm, perhaps too much, ha.

        Well, I will leave you with comedian Bill Hicks, and his take on marketers:

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHEOGrkhDp0

      18. Hy said on May 26, 2018 at 11:46 am
        Reply

        “…the innocent falsely accused and condemned.”

        That seems to be precisely what many are doing to CCleaner in these comments.

      19. Shannana said on May 29, 2018 at 7:25 pm
        Reply

        @Hy (May 26, 2018 at 11:46 am)

        There’s no relevant condemnation in such opinions, as there is no consequential punishment involving incarceration or such. This isn’t a court of law, ha. Users can simply choose to either keep or dump CCleaner for any reason they see fit. As for any rage they have, I get that, as I find it rather justified based on all we know and suspect, involving matters of trust with this topic. Now if you don’t like that, I suggest you stick with the facts and just say so, on the merit of what is, instead of a fantasy of what “seems” to be. For you to relate that to what I said (as well as with your other comments) says much about your character, which isn’t looking very good IMO.

        That said, I assume you are a great person. As such, perhaps you should try honoring yourself with more thoughtful and meaningful comments of relevance.

      20. Tom Hawack said on May 26, 2018 at 11:23 am
        Reply

        @Shannana (said on May 25, 2018 at 11:44 pm),

        “I’d rather have criminals running around than having the innocent falsely accused and condemned.” : that’s a fundamental philosophical scheme, and my answer to this terrible dilemma is the same as yours.

        Thanks for the video link: ‘Bill Hicks on Marketing’ is so damned introspective. We live in a world where lies and hypocrisy are so spread together with a quest of authenticity together with raising awareness (and, I believe, of mass’ “unconscious” intelligence) that whatever you say may be interpreted as conducted with the shade of profit in the back eye. In doubt let’s assume that authenticity is possible rather than decide all is craps.

  19. bjm said on May 24, 2018 at 7:11 pm
    Reply

    typo: Note, all free users and paid customers can choose to turn of this feature.

    Note, all free users and paid customers can choose to turn off this feature.

  20. Millenicide said on May 24, 2018 at 6:40 pm
    Reply

    Why not simply use your firewall to block CCleaner’s access to the web? It shouldn’t need it anyway to function.

    1. Gabriel said on May 25, 2018 at 6:55 am
      Reply

      Yup. Been doing this since the malware incident.

    2. Anonymous said on May 24, 2018 at 8:06 pm
      Reply

      ^this.

  21. Tom Hawack said on May 24, 2018 at 6:38 pm
    Reply

    I’ve installed latest CCleaner 5.43.6520 this morning.

    I noticed as well of course the new privacy options and the fixed checks.
    Checking the use of CCleaner with Nirsoft’s LiveTcpUdpWatch application showed no more CCleaner initiated connections then with previous versions.

    No more, but no less.

    When simply opening CCleaner no connection is established, but when having it perform cleaning, there are systematically 2 connections initiated by CCleaner:

    http://www.google-analytics.com
    – ipm-provider.ff.avast.com

    I have these two blocked by my DNSCrypt-proxy domain blacklist. Here are the logs for CCleaner after a ‘cleaning” process:

    [2018-05-24 18:18:21] 127.0.0.1 http://www.google-analytics.com *.google-analytics.com
    [2018-05-24 18:18:21] 127.0.0.1 ipm-provider.ff.avast.com *.ipm-provider.ff.avast.com

    127.0.0.1 is the remote address, local since the connections were blocked.

    I’d advise, whatever tie user’s protection, to block of course google-analytics but more specifically for CCleaner : ipm-provider.ff.avast.com

    CCleaner (and Piriform as a whole) of the good old days is over in terms of privacy but it remains an excellent application beyond the implications of the company having been bought by Avast.

    1. Sebas said on May 26, 2018 at 7:06 am
      Reply

      Thanks Tom, appreciated. I will add them to my host file. I already did add the Piriform URL but forgot that it has been changed to Avast.

    2. Richard Allen said on May 25, 2018 at 4:02 pm
      Reply

      Thanks Tom, appreciate the Avast URL. Added to hosts file. :)

      I’ll be staying with CCleaner v5.40 and Speccy v1.31. I haven’t seen anything in the release notes of newer versions that would compel me to update those two programs on Win7.

    3. spacedrone808 said on May 25, 2018 at 11:12 am
      Reply

      Oh, my. It seems that i did a right thing and stopped updating cleaner right at 5.32.6129 [last version under the wing of Piriform, correct me if i am wrong]. I was a paid customer.

      Soon, most of you will pay a subscription to use “your” puter’. They are dreaming about it already, so stay sharp.

      1. Tom Hawack said on May 25, 2018 at 11:29 am
        Reply

        @spacedrone808, you know, privacy issues aren’t to be mistaken for security flaws, at least not in the principle. It’s our world nowadays where private data is gold, in common life many businesses ask us as wel, name, postal address, phone number … which we can refuse to provide or provide, faked… but we won’t boycott such businesses on that account, will we? We won’t cut a hand on the basis of a whitlow, right?! So maybe the best policy on the Web is to grab the best and circumvent the worse.

  22. bix said on May 24, 2018 at 6:35 pm
    Reply

    Should be possible to install CCleaner and then pull network logs gather all hosts and ip related to piriform, Avast and external analytic hosts if present and add them to the host file and firewall of flavor

  23. Anonymous said on May 24, 2018 at 5:28 pm
    Reply

    Another reminder that CCleaner v5.32 was the last good version of the program as it was released before Piriform was sold to Avast. Strangely enough a few months after the acquisition it was discovered that CCleaner was compromised by malware.

    https://www.ghacks.net/2017/09/18/ccleaner-compromised-better-check-your-pc/

    That says a lot about the so-called antivirus company. Inb4 shills come to defend Avast.

    1. Hy said on May 25, 2018 at 11:46 am
      Reply

      @Anonymous: “…before Piriform was sold to Avast. Strangely enough a few months after the acquisition it was discovered that CCleaner was compromised by malware.”

      I don’t care for Avast at all, and even less for the direction CCleaner is going in since Avast acquired Piriform. But it was revealed recently at RSA con that the breach actually occurred several months BEFORE Avast acquired Piriform. I linked to this just last month here on ghacks in comments to Martin’s article on Avast Secure Browser:

      “While it’s true that Avast acquired Piriform last July and the compromised CCleaner downloads were in August and September, it came out last week at the RSA security conference that Piriform was actually breached well before they were acquired by Avast: https://thehackernews.com/2018/04/ccleaner-malware-attack.html”

  24. DVDRambo said on May 24, 2018 at 4:43 pm
    Reply

    I dumped ccleaner after running tests comparing it to Wise Disk Cleaner and Bleach Bit. The test showed Bleach Bit was the fastest and least annoying. Wise’s One Click Cleaning works well also. It just isn’t as fast as Bleach Bit in cleaning and then shutting down (options need to be set to do this).

  25. Roger W said on May 24, 2018 at 4:22 pm
    Reply

    Piriform: “Privacy settings are unavailable for Free users as we do not collect any personal identifiable information, so Free users are essentially anonymous.”

    So shouldn’t those options be checked “Off” for Free users?

    Avast ye bohemian scallywags!

    1. Hy said on May 26, 2018 at 9:49 am
      Reply

      @Roger: “So shouldn’t those options be checked “Off” for Free users?”

      You’re absolutely right: those options should be checked “off” for both free users and paid users. They should be opt-in rather than opt-out.

      Shame on you, Avast.

      1. Tom Hawack said on May 26, 2018 at 11:54 am
        Reply

        @Hy quotes @Roger ““So shouldn’t those options be checked “Off” for Free users?”

        I’d even say those options, given they are inconsistent in ‘CCleaner Free’ shouldn’t appear in the first place. The whole mick-mack started from there : an unswitchable meaningless privacy option. Of course the explanation is common code for all CCleaner versions.

        Users may have a look at their ccleaner.ini file : the latest line in version 5.43.6522 is :

        PrefsPrivacyShareData3rdParty=0

        In previous versions (non updated 5.43 included) it’s not that this line stated = 1, it’s that this line didn’t exist.

  26. John said on May 24, 2018 at 4:08 pm
    Reply

    Use Glary Utilities… great program, more functionality.

    1. Jody Thornton said on May 25, 2018 at 3:16 am
      Reply

      @John:

      Truth be told though, Glary Utilies and Bleach Bit simply don’t clean a lot of what Ccleaner does.

  27. Yuliya said on May 24, 2018 at 4:02 pm
    Reply

    Piriform really has gone full darkside mode, haven’t they? You can’t download CCleaner portable zip anymore. It’s just gone from their site, and you can’t even get it by going firectly to the download page. It will just load a blank page. Bad, bad. I still have CCleaner 4.19 which I still use, and works fine. I also have 5.42 portable, though I have no use for it.

    1. Delebre said on May 24, 2018 at 5:43 pm
      Reply
    2. Jessica said on May 24, 2018 at 4:39 pm
      Reply

      This is probably part of GDPR compliance.

      1. Hy said on May 26, 2018 at 11:37 am
        Reply

        Jessica said: “This is probably part of GDPR compliance.”

        Yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking. The nature of the changes (opt-outs for increased privacy) and the timing of the release certainly seem to indicate such.

  28. dan said on May 24, 2018 at 3:51 pm
    Reply

    So now CCleaner officially became spyware. Avast I hate you.

    1. Hy said on May 26, 2018 at 9:46 am
      Reply

      @dan: “So now CCleaner officially became spyware.”

      So now this latest version of CCleaner allows opting out of usage data sharing–I’m not seeing how that “officially” makes it become “spyware.”

      CCleaner can be blocked from the connecting to the internet and be run locally only, anyway. This all seems to be a tempest in a teapot.

  29. Jody Thornton said on May 24, 2018 at 3:48 pm
    Reply

    I’ve decided to stick with v4.18.4844 which I believe is the last 4x version with the old UI. With the updated winapp2.ini file loaded, is there anything it can’t do correctly?

    1. Jessica said on May 24, 2018 at 7:15 pm
      Reply

      Relying on an outdated version of a tool like this will only lead to rendering it essentially inefficient because third-party apps change.

      Might as well use BleachBit.

      1. Jody Thornton said on May 25, 2018 at 2:33 am
        Reply

        I use SoftMaker Office 2016 and Firefox Quantum for now. The latter I can see having an effect, but most apps that I have should remain stable in terms of their inner workings. But I hear ya!

    2. Yuliya said on May 24, 2018 at 4:05 pm
      Reply

      4.19.0.4867 was the last sane release.

  30. Sebas said on May 24, 2018 at 3:38 pm
    Reply

    This is bizarre. Free users are not tracked, paid users are? I do not believe that for one moment. And is this also true for the portable version?

    CCleaner was one of the first programs I installed on XP, many years ago.

    The option to remove cookies left over by my browsers, and the removal of restore points are among the better features. Somehow I never did like Bleach bit.

    Alas, after the malware debacle and now this I probably will remove it. All these kind of closed source programs seem to be having become rogue. Times have changed, I will only use the built in browsers cleaning options and Windows disk cleanup.

    1. Hy said on May 25, 2018 at 10:52 am
      Reply

      @Sebas: “This is bizarre. Free users are not tracked, paid users are? I do not believe that for one moment.”

      I thought the same thing at first, but upon reflection, I believe that they may be telling the truth. As we see in the “Update” section in the article above, Martin says that, “Piriform informed me that it does not collect any personal identifiable information from free users.” Now for me as a paid pro version user, for example, they have my name, credit card info, etc. That would certainly qualify as “personal identifiable information,” and of course they would not have that type of information from free users.

  31. phrozen said on May 24, 2018 at 3:15 pm
    Reply

    Just a test to see if comments work now.

    1. phrozen said on May 24, 2018 at 3:15 pm
      Reply

      Yes!!!!

      Thanks Martin :-)

      1. Tom Hawack said on May 24, 2018 at 6:52 pm
        Reply

        You’re lucky, phrozen :=)
        As usual my comments appear after what seems to be a random delay but moreover since a few days my comment doesn’t even appear while I’m still on the page.
        That’s for information because I’ve abandonned any form of hope concerning the comments display issue. So no complain, we do with it once it’s obvious no solution exists.

      2. Sophie said on May 24, 2018 at 7:12 pm
        Reply

        Hello Tom. Martin created an account for me just now, and my posts seem to be appearing immediately. I think I am right in saying that if you have an account, the posting troubles will end, or at least be greatly reduced.

        Hope that helps all!
        Sophie

      3. pHROZEN gHOST said on May 26, 2018 at 5:54 pm
        Reply

        Same for me. Why? Dunno. But Martin fixed it.

      4. Tom Hawack said on May 26, 2018 at 6:39 pm
        Reply

        Same here. Plus the comfort of being a member of the Ghacks VRP. But we don’t have our reserved area, we remain simple and mix with the masses. That’s how it must be nowadays.
        (lol).

      5. Tom Hawack said on May 24, 2018 at 10:37 pm
        Reply

        Good evening Sophie. I knew an account was feasible but I ignored, or didn’t link to the fact it would avoid the posting troubles as a diplomatic passport the customs :=) I’ll contact Martin and ask him how to proceed. Thanks for letting me know.

  32. P said on May 24, 2018 at 3:10 pm
    Reply

    Sad news, been a CCleaner user for over a decade now. One day I’ll have to try out some of the alternatives, v5.32 is getting a bit long in the tooth. btw what is the checkbox bullshit?

    1. Weilan said on May 26, 2018 at 12:47 am
      Reply

      I’m using Wise Disk Cleaner, Wise Registry Cleaner and the rest of their line just for the sake of using them, such as Uninstaller and Memory Optimizer. IObit have a nice Uninstaller, but it comes with ads for other of their producs, and it’s not even subtle, in fact it opens a whole window that you need to close.

      There are other free alternatives, but I can’t remember any now. CCleaner may have been good about 10 years ago, but it has always had less options compared to the rest. For example if I choose everything on both CCleaner and Wise Disk Cleaner, CC will clean about 500MB and WDC will clean 2GB, that’s how bare-bones CC is.

      CCleaner used to be Crap Cleaner, but they changed it when they became popular, I think it has finally become crap. xD

  33. asd said on May 24, 2018 at 2:56 pm
    Reply

    so finally Avast is putting their signature style in CCleaner… RIP CCleaner.

  34. Max Azazel said on May 24, 2018 at 2:27 pm
    Reply

    This is highly unacceptable. That’s pretty much the same programming behavior as the most famous spyware from few years ago like BonziBuddy, WeatherBug or Kazaa. Let CCleaner rest in peace. It is time to move on. Wise Disk Cleaner and Clean Space from cyrobo.com are currently my best two favorites.

    1. jasray said on May 24, 2018 at 4:26 pm
      Reply

      The privacy policy for Clean Space doesn’t sound private to me–“even Microsoft does it”:

      “Please note: our site and our programs may collect some impersonal (!!!) technical information about your computer (hardware and software configuration). This is necessary to create the best programs for you; even Microsoft does it. This information is purely technical, for example: screen resolution, OS version, active language, type of keyboard, and so on. Based on this data, we can create better products for you. Don’t worry, we will NOT be able and we will never try to get your personal information, such as who you are or where you live by using this technical data. It’s simply impossible. Your privacy is guaranteed.”

      IP address is collected as well–it’s a given.

    2. Jed said on May 24, 2018 at 2:47 pm
      Reply

      It’s not highly unacceptable at all, they’re providing a choice now whereas before GDPR they were not. You should be thankful. Also, comparing it to such things as BonziBuddy is highly uneducated of you. Most applications collect some amount of data, and most of those share it with 3rd parties of some sort. The BonziBuddy developers had malicious intent, whereas the CCleaner developers need some way to make money and need some form of diagnostics data to help improve the application. Sure, I don’t agree with sharing my data for money making purposes, but for diagnostic and application improvement purposes I’m fine with.

      1. Anonymous said on May 25, 2018 at 12:35 am
        Reply

        “Most applications collect some amount of data, and most of those share it with 3rd parties of some sort.”

        Doing that without disclosing what kind of data is collected and who it is shared with should be considered a crime. Their excuse is their EULAs but they don’t give details of what data is collected and who it is shared with.

      2. Max Azazel said on May 24, 2018 at 4:40 pm
        Reply

        Hello there.

        No the’re NOT PROVIDING any choice, if you have the free version you CANNOT opt out, both options are checked by default. How do you call that? It is just fine? Let them collect some amount of data without telling me exactly what data. Like I already said, few years ago especially that kind of behavior would be considered spyware – now in a world where even a WiFi coffee machine collects and sends data about it’s usage, to you and maybe others is fine – to me it is unacceptable.

        2) The CCleaner developers already make their money buy selling the Professional version. Collecting data from me without giving the possibility to opt out is just GREED.

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