Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: BrokenEye on September 17, 2013, 09:17:02 AM
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I've got two networked computers running Windows 7. I was having trouble accessing files in my HomeGroup, so I checked my Firewall settings, and saw that HomegGroup was blocked. So I unblocked it. But I still couldn't access my files, so I downloaded Microsoft's "Fix It (http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_firewall_diagnostic/)" diagnostic thingy for Windows Firewall. It told me that Windows Firewall "cannot be set as the default firewall... because you are using Avast! Internet Security". Now, the problem there (apart from it screwing up my HomeGroup) is that I'm using Avast! free which doesn't include a firewall, so if my default firewall program hasn't got a firewall, that means I haven't got a firewall.
And also my HomeGroup still doesn't work, but that's somewhat less important than not having a firewall.
What do I do about this?
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hey and welcome to the avast forum. i suggest you try a clean installation of avast here and see if that solves your problem
download a fresh copy of avast from avast .com
download and run the uninstall tool for avast from this link
http://www.avast.com/en-se/uninstall-utility
reboot your computer
install the fresh copy of avast you have downloaded.
did it solve your problem?
do you have any other third party security programs installed like a firewall or are you just using avast?
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hey and welcome to the avast forum. i suggest you try a clean installation of avast here and see if that solves your problem
download a fresh copy of avast from avast .com
download and run the uninstall tool for avast from this link
http://www.avast.com/en-se/uninstall-utility
reboot your computer
install the fresh copy of avast you have downloaded.
did it solve your problem?
do you have any other third party security programs installed like a firewall or are you just using avast?
I've got IObit Advanced System Care, but that hasn't got a firewall either
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hey and welcome to the avast forum. i suggest you try a clean installation of avast here and see if that solves your problem
download a fresh copy of avast from avast .com
download and run the uninstall tool for avast from this link
http://www.avast.com/en-se/uninstall-utility
reboot your computer
install the fresh copy of avast you have downloaded.
did it solve your problem?
do you have any other third party security programs installed like a firewall or are you just using avast?
I reinstalled Avast! as you said, and the problem persists
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Iobit are an untrustworthy company so that would be the first thing for me to be removed, it's malware and spyware scanning technologies are probably going to conflict with the correct operation of avast as well.
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Iobit are an untrustworthy company so that would be the first thing for me to be removed, it's malware and spyware scanning technologies are probably going to conflict with the correct operation of avast as well.
Untrustworthy according to whom?
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Iobit are an untrustworthy company so that would be the first thing for me to be removed, it's malware and spyware scanning technologies are probably going to conflict with the correct operation of avast as well.
Untrustworthy according to whom?
All the companies they use to steal definitions from, Malwarebytes was the main one that caught them out.
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Iobit are an untrustworthy company so that would be the first thing for me to be removed, it's malware and spyware scanning technologies are probably going to conflict with the correct operation of avast as well.
Untrustworthy according to whom?
All the companies they use to steal definitions from, Malwarebytes was the main one that caught them out.
Oh, I see. So just corporate espionage, then?
I've run scans with both, sometimes even simultaneously, and have never encountered any conflicts on either end. But more to the point, it isn't a firewall program. I don't see how it could be interfering with any firewalls.
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I don't know what you mean by "just corporate espionage" as that for me an most others would be the hook-line and sinker decider for whether there junk came anywhere near a system that I have access to.
As for the firewall issue maybe Iobit has screwed up something in the registry :-\
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I don't know what you mean by "just corporate espionage" as that for me an most others would be the hook-line and sinker decider for whether there junk came anywhere near a system that I have access to.
I don't care about the feuds, rivalries and skullduggery between companies. That's their business. Let them handle their own internal politics. I just care if the product works.
Frankly, I think it would be better for everyone's security if the bastards just shared their virus definitions with each other, but I know that's never going to happen.
Now, can we discuss the actual issue I was having which lead me to start this thread? I'd rather that be resolved before this thread devolves into a flame war.
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Maybe you should care as if people don't take a stand against these practices then they just continue there sneaky behaviour, and only caring whether the product works! well that has yet to be decided as it more than likely what has messed up your system.
It might pay for you to run the OTL program from the viruses and worms section then supply the log back here for one of the experts to look over.
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Maybe you should care as if people don't take a stand against these practices then they just continue there sneaky behaviour, and only caring whether the product works! well that has yet to be decided as it more than likely what has messed up your system.
It might pay for you to run the OTL program from the viruses and worms section then supply the log back here for one of the experts to look over.
Can we please get back on topic?
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Can we please get back on topic?
We are on topic as I just asked you to run OTL, best to exclude all possibilities and run the first 4 tools.
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May I chime in? The Windows AIS firewall do "not" conflict with each other. They work well side by side.
I agree with craigb in that I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find IObit is causing the problem.
IObit is not to be trusted at all! :)
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May I chime in? The Windows AIS firewall do "not" conflict with each other. They work well side by side.
I agree with craigb in that I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find IObit is causing the problem.
IObit is not to be trusted at all! :)
Quoth Fix It:
"Windows Firewall cannot be set as the default firewall. This problem may be occuring because of an existing Group Policy or because you are using the avast! Internet Security firewall program. If you want to use Windows Firewall, exit the troubleshooter, uninstall the other firewall program, and then run this troubleshooter again."
I'm asking about avast! because the troubleshooter specifically told me that avast! was the cause, in such a way as to suggest that this is a common problem. It specifically mentioned avast!, and no other security program as one of two possible causes, which would mean that not only do they, in fact, conflict, but the conflict only occurs with avast! and not security programs in general. I don't have any Group Policies, so by process of elimination, avast! is causing the problem.
In fact, I'd already mentioned this. So can we please address the actual problem instead of quarreling about brand loyalty?
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As I already mentioned please run the tools suggested from the Viruses and Worms board http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 as I suspect Iobit has messed up your registry or removed a critical file.
Another question would be have you ever used the trial upgrade or installed AIS ?
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As I already mentioned please run the tools suggested from the Viruses and Worms board http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 as I suspect Iobit has messed up your registry or removed a critical file.
Another question would be have you ever used the trial upgrade or installed AIS ?
I think I have used the trial upgrade, but I upgraded to Free, which has the same features. I'm not sure what AIS is.
Also: Please re-read my previous post.
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AIS is "Avast Internet Security" if you have ever had AIS installed it is possible that there might be firewall drivers remaining which you would see in Device Manager ( click View and show hidden devices )
I have read you previous post which is why I replied and my thoughts and suggestions still stand relevant.
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AIS is "Avast Internet Security" if you have ever had AIS installed it is possible that there might be firewall drivers remaining which you would see in Device Manager ( click View and show hidden devices )
I have read you previous post which is why I replied and my thoughts and suggestions still stand relevant.
That only comes with the paid version, right?
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AIS is "Avast Internet Security" if you have ever had AIS installed it is possible that there might be firewall drivers remaining which you would see in Device Manager ( click View and show hidden devices )
I have read you previous post which is why I replied and my thoughts and suggestions still stand relevant.
That only comes with the paid version, right?
Yes and which also comes in the trial upgrades and if your windows is telling you that the default firewall cannot be activated because it thinks you have AIS installed then it sounds like you may have trialled AIS at some point and never uninstalled it correctly :-\
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AIS is "Avast Internet Security" if you have ever had AIS installed it is possible that there might be firewall drivers remaining which you would see in Device Manager ( click View and show hidden devices )
I have read you previous post which is why I replied and my thoughts and suggestions still stand relevant.
That only comes with the paid version, right?
Yes and which also comes in the trial upgrades and if your windows is telling you that the default firewall cannot be activated because it thinks you have AIS installed then it sounds like you may have trialled AIS at some point and never uninstalled it correctly :-\
Oh. Wait... is that the internet browser plugin? I might have had that.
How would I find and get rid of the leftovers.
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Oh. Wait... is that the internet browser plugin? I might have had that.
How would I find and get rid of the leftovers.
No the browser plugin is completely different ( not firewall related ) and comes with all versions of avast.
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Oh. Wait... is that the internet browser plugin? I might have had that.
How would I find and get rid of the leftovers.
No the browser plugin is completely different ( not firewall related ) and comes with all versions of avast.
Oh. Well then I don't think I've ever had it, then. I'm not sure.
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Did your windows firewall start when you uninstalled avast earlier ? did you run the avast removal tool after removing avast also ? if the windows firewall does not start after removing avast then you should follow the instructions posted to you earlier to provide the logs necessary for someone to look over and see if there is another problem with your system.
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Did your windows firewall start when you uninstalled avast earlier ? did you run the avast removal tool after removing avast also ? if the windows firewall does not start after removing avast then you should follow the instructions posted to you earlier to provide the logs necessary for someone to look over and see if there is another problem with your system.
I didn't check. Lemme go uninstall it again and see.
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And check your Device Manager in control panel like explained just to make sure you have no avast firewall drivers in case you have installed once before.
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And check your Device Manager in control panel like explained just to make sure you have no avast firewall drivers in case you have installed once before.
Can't find any. I remember there used to be some, but they were out of date and went away when I scanned for hardware changes a couple days ago while trying to fix an unrelated internet access problem.
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Did your windows firewall start when you uninstalled avast earlier ?
Alright, I removed it again. Windows Firewall started, but it still can't set be set as the default firewall program(despite now being the only firewall program), for the same reasons.
EDIT: ==========
Alright, I've installed it again, and now the problem is gone. Weird.
Well, I've still got no idea what was wrong or what I did to fix it, but its fixed. Thanks for... um... I suppose pointing me in the right direction, although admittedly I haven't a clue what direction that was.
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As I already mentioned please run the tools suggested from the Viruses and Worms board http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 as I suspect Iobit has messed up your registry or removed a critical file.
Malware found six things, all entirely unrelated to IObit, and as it turns out, to the problem I'm having as well, as they've since been removed and yet the problem persists
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hi BrokenEye,
1.) You've a paid version of IOBit? Then save the license and uninstall. Reboot. Any change? If not, do step # 2.
2.) You are also running Avast Internet Security? Then turn off the firewall in Internet Security if the uninstall of IOBit does not resolve your issue. Reboot.
See, this is a process of elimination of possible suspects re your issue. I understand that Windows Firewall appears to not be running, hence your concern, and rightfully so. However, AIS comes with a firewall, but the current version does not support IPv6 protocols, and Win 7 firewall does. This is why AIS firewall is designed to be compatible with Windows Firewall, and Windows Firewall provides support for the newest IPv6 protocols, whereas AIS does not. So, they complement each other that way. Either way, you've got a running firewall in AIS even if Windows Firewall is disabled.
All we're trying to do is rule out possibilities for blocks for proper Windows Firewall operation.
Irregardless of a vendor's ethics, it still stands to reason that their software may or may not be optimal for your system given the admitted state of their software engineers in that they would have to resort to this sort of behavior (intellectual theft of proprietary property) and that they were caught in the act of doing so. Only a lessor/inferior company would resort to such tactics, is what we all are saying to you.
You've a conflict/bug between AIS and IOBit, that's what appears to be the case here. Your choice on which to keep or remove.
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hi BrokenEye,
1.) You've a paid version of IOBit? Then save the license and uninstall. Reboot. Any change? If not, do step # 2.
2.) You are also running Avast Internet Security? Then turn off the firewall in Internet Security if the uninstall of IOBit does not resolve your issue. Reboot.
See, this is a process of elimination of possible suspects re your issue. I understand that Windows Firewall appears to not be running, hence your concern, and rightfully so. However, AIS comes with a firewall, but the current version does not support IPv6 protocols, and Win 7 firewall does. This is why AIS firewall is designed to be compatible with Windows Firewall, and Windows Firewall provides support for the newest IPv6 protocols, whereas AIS does not. So, they complement each other that way. Either way, you've got a running firewall in AIS even if Windows Firewall is disabled.
All we're trying to do is rule out possibilities for blocks for proper Windows Firewall operation.
Irregardless of a vendor's ethics, it still stands to reason that their software may or may not be optimal for your system given the admitted state of their software engineers in that they would have to resort to this sort of behavior (intellectual theft of proprietary property) and that they were caught in the act of doing so. Only a lessor/inferior company would resort to such tactics, is what we all are saying to you.
You've a conflict/bug between AIS and IOBit, that's what appears to be the case here. Your choice on which to keep or remove.
I haven't got Avast! Internet Security, and my versions of both free programs are free.
However, the problem is solved now. I reinstalled Avast! and it went away. I'm not sure why, but whatever it was its fixed.
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Glad it's finally working but you still have not supplied to logs requested and being Malwarebytes found 6 things as you mention then you may still be infected.
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Glad it's finally working but you still have not supplied to logs requested and being Malwarebytes found 6 things as you mention then you may still be infected.
Oh... I thought I was just supposed to use them to check. Here you go.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.75.0.1300
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: v2013.09.17.08
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 10.0.9200.16686
Owner :: GUTHRIESLAPTOP [administrator]
9/17/2013 11:35:42 AM
mbam-log-2013-09-17 (11-35-42).txt
Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|E:\|G:\|H:\|I:\|J:\|K:\|M:\|)
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 513348
Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 13 minute(s), 55 second(s)
Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Detected: 1
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced|Start_ShowSearch (PUM.Hijack.StartMenu) -> Bad: (0) Good: (1) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.
Folders Detected: 2
C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\OpenCandy (PUP.Optional.OpenCandy) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\OpenCandy\DB69B14283724C038DD92098DE29CF73 (PUP.Optional.OpenCandy) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Files Detected: 3
C:\Program Files (x86)\NirSoft\ProduKey\ProduKey.exe (PUP.PSWTool.ProductKey) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\OpenCandy\DB69B14283724C038DD92098DE29CF73\mconduitinstaller.exe (PUP.Optional.Conduit.A) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\SearchProtect\Res\SPSetup.exe (PUP.Optional.SearchProtect.A) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
(end)
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That's one log, what about running the other three as I asked you to run the first four tools.
When you post the logs please use the attach option.
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That's one log, what about running the other three as I asked you to run the first four tools.
When you post the logs please use the attach option.
Those didn't find anything, and I also haven't got them anymore.
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hey agian. you have to attach the other logs adwclener, otl and aswmbr so a malware expert can have a look at it. either wish we can not help you.
http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=33217 here is a bit information about the comapany iobit from malwarebytes. becouse of this iobit can not be trusted anymore.
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hey agian. you have to attach the other logs adwclener, otl and aswmbr so a malware expert can have a look at it. either wish we can not help you.
http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=33217 here is a bit information about the comapany iobit from malwarebytes. becouse of this iobit can not be trusted anymore.
Well, as I mentioned above, its been fixed so I don't actually need help anymore.
Also as mentioned above, I have no interest in your inter-corporate feuds so please stop preaching to me about it.
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those other logs is for the malware expert to analyse and see if there something else on your system that needs to be removed.