>>>>>Almost EVERY TIME I log into my on-line bank account I see the following message (popping up from the bottom left tray) (see attached).
>>>>>Clearly the AV Avast wants to sell me more of something.
>>>>>Can they see my user ID and password? Or they only "know" that I am connecting to a secure site?
>>>>
>>>>To answer your question, yes, Avast can watch everything you do, it has system level privileges (even more privileges than admin). You have to decide if you trust it; if not you need to remove the product.
>>>>
>>>>That particular message may be an effort to get you to use Avast's so-called "SafeZone" browser rather than your regular one. If that's what's happening it looks like it's possible to uninstall just that browser: http://techdows.com/2016/02/uninstall-or-remove-avast-safezone-browser.html
>>>
>>>That is too bad that Avast can watch my user ID and password. I would love to remove it (Avast) but don't know how to do it safely. You may remember that a few months ago I tried to remove it and my system was completely screwed. Until I restored from the back up with the Avast still running.
>>
>>Well, if you're functioning OK with it installed but just want to get rid of those particular notifications you might be able to follow the link and uninstall just the "SafeZone" browser part of Avast.
>>
>>It seems odd that you can't uninstall Avast. I can't recall encountering any AV product that would not uninstall properly. If there were problems with Avast one would think it would be all over the web but I haven't heard anything like that.
>>
>>There is a full removal tool available if you Google [avast full removal tool]
>
>I believe I actually did Google for this removal tool and tried it. This is where I got into a big problem. But it could be that it was just my bad luck.
>But if I uninstall the SaveZone browser part, do you think they will stop being able to see my ID and password?

The normal way to uninstall any AV package is through Control Panel...Programs and Features. The usual process is to run that first, then run any extra "removal tool" afterwards to clean up any junk that may be left over.

Any installed AV package from any vendor has full God-like powers and control over your system. There is no technological difference between an installed AV package and an installed malicious rootkit. The sole difference is the intent of the third party.

With an AV package you have to trust that it won't snoop on your credentials, exfiltrate your files or data somewhere else etc. etc.

You can try uninstalling just the SafeZone browser component but I suspect all that will do is remove the nagging messages you reported at the start of this thread. With its full God-like powers Avast can still snoop your credentials or do anything else it wants to with your system; you have to decide if you trust it to behave.