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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on July 20, 2017, 12:18:03 AM

Title: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on July 20, 2017, 12:18:03 AM
Hello everyone, I've got an issue with Avast. My Behavior Shield is often turned off when I boot up my computer (I'm on Windows 7), or turns itself off shortly afterwards. I always turn it back on right away, but it worries me a bit. I've got the latest free build, I think: 17.5.2303 (build 17.5.3585.182), but it has been doing that for a few weeks now, even with previous versions. Originally, it would do it only occasionally, but now it's almost every day. I've also been getting BSODs this month (four of them, three were BAD_HEADER_POOL and one was DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL), but I'm not sure the two issues are related in any way. I've noticed that Avast does the same thing with my mother's laptop (the Behavior Shield thing, I mean, she doesn't have BSODs).

I've done a lot of different scans between now and the first time I've seen the disabling happen. Smart Scans, Complete Scans, and a bunch of scans with MalwareBytes too (Threat Scans, Custom Scans with all options enabled, Hypers Scans). Nothing ever turned up. I've even tried the Rkill software, in case it was some kind of virus or malware which hid itself from detection, but the program hasn't found anything to terminate. What should I do?
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: Asyn on July 20, 2017, 05:47:57 AM
Known issue, it should get fixed in V17.6.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: Tanmoy on July 30, 2017, 11:49:38 AM
I also have this problem in windows 10 64 bit
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: Asyn on July 30, 2017, 01:19:58 PM
I also have this problem in windows 10 64 bit
See Reply #1.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on July 31, 2017, 11:46:46 PM
First experience with the new Beta just released seems to confirm that this problem has been addressed and fixed.
If anything changes, I'll report back.
See the following for more information:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=206494.msg1412132#msg1412132
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on August 02, 2017, 12:18:32 PM
I hope this 17.6 version is going to be released soon. This Behaviour Shield issue has been going on for quite some time now. I raised it in a post back in April.
Usually you can just turn it on when you notice that it is off, but today, it won't even turn on.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: Asyn on August 03, 2017, 05:14:28 AM
You could try the latest beta: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=15
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: PDI on August 03, 2017, 08:59:41 AM
Hi DavidRGreen,

did you try to do a restart of the system if the issue persists? It looks like there was software update and the system wasn't restarted.
If you can share the idpagent.log and idpagent.log.1 from %programdata%\AVAST Software\Avast\log it'd help us to find the root cause of your problem.

Thanks,
PDI
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on September 10, 2017, 12:49:43 PM
So now that the update has been out for a while, I can say that it's definitely better, but there have been two days when I had to manually activate the behavior shield, and that worries me a bit. I've run yet another complete scan with Avast, and it found nothing, and I'm running one with MalwareBytes right now, but I highly doubt I'm going to find more than before. What could it be?

Also, completely ignore what I said about BSODs, it was indeed completely unrelated and I fixed it on my own.  :)
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: Asyn on September 10, 2017, 12:55:02 PM
So now that the update has been out for a while, I can say that it's definitely better, but there have been two days when I had to manually activate the behavior shield, and that worries me a bit.
Hi, see: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=208223.msg1419124#msg1419124
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: davbyrnes on October 07, 2017, 04:26:55 AM
I've been having this same problem for months. I have version 17.7, and about 50% of my boots, I have to manually enable Behavior shield
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: Asyn on October 07, 2017, 06:06:04 AM
I've been having this same problem for months. I have version 17.7, and about 50% of my boots, I have to manually enable Behavior shield
Follow the link in Reply #9 and provide your logs.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on November 05, 2017, 09:30:35 PM
Same problem here. I've got version 17.7.2314. Very annoying.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on November 05, 2017, 09:34:03 PM
Same problem here. I've got version 17.7.2314. Very annoying.
It occasionally also happens to me on the latest beta.
For now, just turn it back on.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on November 08, 2017, 01:22:57 PM
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=210574.msg1429615#msg1429615
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on November 11, 2017, 01:43:57 PM
Just upgraded to 17.8.2318 - Problem still exists.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on December 04, 2017, 01:19:33 PM
Same for me - been having this problem intermittently for months. What does behaviour shield do anyway? It sounds important.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on December 04, 2017, 02:21:17 PM
Same for me - been having this problem intermittently for months. What does behaviour shield do anyway? It sounds important.
https://blog.avast.com/behavior-shield-our-newest-behavioral-analysis-technology
Title: Behavior Shield keeps turning off
Post by: REDACTED on December 17, 2017, 12:39:07 PM
Very disconcerting. I have the same problem on a Windows 7 Laptop. I have the Pro (paid up) version. This was supposed to be fixed a few versions back. It's still there. No viruses or malware found. Apparently the shield attempts to automatically turn itself on at start up but fails to do so due to Windows not accepting the request or something. 
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off
Post by: Asyn on December 17, 2017, 01:12:08 PM
Very disconcerting. I have the same problem on a Windows 7 Laptop. I have the Pro (paid up) version. This was supposed to be fixed a few versions back. It's still there. No viruses or malware found. Apparently the shield attempts to automatically turn itself on at start up but fails to do so due to Windows not accepting the request or something.
-> https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=201143.msg1431155#msg1431155
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on December 17, 2017, 03:22:46 PM
I personally haven't had this problem since installing the latest beta. :)
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on December 26, 2017, 02:12:36 PM
Just upgraded to 17.9.23.22 - Problem still exists.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: Asyn on December 26, 2017, 02:22:18 PM
Just upgraded to 17.9.23.22 - Problem still exists.
-> https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=201143.msg1431155#msg1431155
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on January 17, 2018, 01:45:28 PM
upgraded to 17.9.23.22 - Problem still exists.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: imago4 on January 30, 2018, 12:41:38 AM
Hi Guys,

I have Avast Free, latest version on W's 7 Home Prem.

I solved this problem on my sys, by disabling 'Update Streaming', also received a bonus as avast now loads first at startup, whereas before it loaded last and slooow!

Why not try it, you have nothing to lose.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on January 30, 2018, 02:18:37 PM
Hi Guys,

I have Avast Free, latest version on W's 7 Home Prem.

I solved this problem on my sys, by disabling 'Update Streaming', also received a bonus as avast now loads first at startup, whereas before it loaded last and slooow!

Why not try it, you have nothing to lose.
You lose being quickly protected against the latest discovered malware.
Streaming updates is how you quickly received that added protection.
Disabling it means you'll need to wait for the VPS updates.
Certainly not something I would do.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on February 19, 2018, 01:09:14 AM
...I have Version 18.1.2326 (build 18.1.3800.0) and mine is still having the same problem...HELP! !... :(...
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on February 19, 2018, 01:12:56 AM
...I have Version 18.1.2326 (build 18.1.3800.0) and mine is still having the same problem...HELP! !... :( ...
I suggest that you do a Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on June 01, 2018, 01:23:52 AM
Registered and logged on just to post this.

I followed the tip left by Feldersn at https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/655164/avast-behaviour-shield-not-running-on-startup/. Works for my Windows 7 x64 system, so far. Also seems to fix my problem with Avast Online Security not saving my settings on search engine results.

Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on June 01, 2018, 02:11:24 PM
Registered and logged on just to post this.

I followed the tip left by Feldersn at https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/655164/avast-behaviour-shield-not-running-on-startup/ (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/655164/avast-behaviour-shield-not-running-on-startup/). Works for my Windows 7 x64 system, so far. Also seems to fix my problem with Avast Online Security not saving my settings on search engine results.
You can't change to something that's not available.
(https://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1527854671604-98849.png)
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: alanb on June 01, 2018, 03:28:52 PM
Quote
You can't change to something that's not available.

OK Bob, I confess I'm confused by your last post...

The screenshot shows that the service (and its properties) are available.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on June 01, 2018, 03:59:32 PM
It also shows that you can't set it to automatic as suggested.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on June 02, 2018, 01:52:06 AM
It also shows that you can't set it to automatic as suggested.

Will you please read the tip carefully - and completely.



Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: alanb on June 02, 2018, 03:13:00 PM
Quote
It also shows that you can't set it to automatic as suggested.

Not from the menu shown, no.

But clicking “Properties” gives access to the service's configuration options, one of which is “Startup type”.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: priestlucas123 on June 02, 2018, 05:11:03 PM
Perhaps someone from Avast can comment on making this change, and/or they can consider making this change as part of the installation process so it is changed to Automatic for everyone instead of Manual if they agree with this solution.

Avast team?
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on June 03, 2018, 03:50:06 AM
Yesterday, I checked another Windows 7 x86 system that's running Avast without the startup problem. Its aswbIDSAgent service was set to Manual but already running upon bootup every time.  Maybe, that's bob3160's case. He did mention in an earlier post on this thread that he hasn't got the problem since installing the latest beta.

As for computers that can't start the service upon bootup for whatever reason, the Behavior Shield would be disabled. The solution for them, therefore, would be to set the service to Automatic.

Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: priestlucas123 on June 05, 2018, 11:54:35 PM
This is something the Avast team would have to comment on, but I would think if the Behavior Shield is set to automatic then the Avast service wouldn't be starting it and may not have any control or communications with it like it would if it started the service. In other words, if service A starts service B then they can talk to each other, but if each starts independently they may not talk to each other.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bobby1981 on July 19, 2018, 09:42:56 PM
Randomly showed as off again for me today, not at start-up just generally when using my computer.

What an odd quirk.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on July 19, 2018, 10:07:00 PM
Randomly showed as off again for me today, not at start-up just generally when using my computer.

What an odd quirk.
Haven't had this happen for month's. What OS and what version of Avast ???
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: REDACTED on August 08, 2018, 10:47:41 AM
I had this issue and it got resolved by updating the program to it's latest version. Although you can check the details here https://silicophilic.com/avast-behavior-shield-turning-off/ (https://silicophilic.com/avast-behavior-shield-turning-off/)
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on August 08, 2018, 03:52:49 PM
I had this issue and it got resolved by updating the program to it's latest version. Although you can check the details here https://silicophilic.com/avast-behavior-shield-turning-off/ (https://forum.avast.com/xxtps://silicophilic.com/avast-behavior-shield-turning-off/)
All you need to do is update to the latest version: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=219889.0 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=219889.0)
You certainly don't need to go to a third party website recommended by someone brand new to this form.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: priestlucas123 on August 17, 2018, 05:59:11 PM
I still see this problem occurring, even though I am using Avast Free 18.5.2342 on Windows 7 SP1.

Unfortunately Avast isn't addressing this problem until a memory dump is sent, but when I tried this with a connection with over 100Mbps upload speed it still was going to take over 12 hours to send a 600MB file. I tried uploading same file to somewhere else and it took less than a minute, so the problem must have been the Avast server, and I wasn't going to leave it running for that long.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: DavidR on August 17, 2018, 07:02:43 PM
Memory dump files can be zipped up to reduce the size before uploading.

Are you sending this to the avast ftp location ?
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: priestlucas123 on August 21, 2018, 07:43:08 PM
The 600MB file is zipped; original over 4GB but no matter how fast upload speed I have it takes too long

One thing noticed is when it fails, I find the following two events in EventViewer

"The aswbIDSAgent service failed to start due to the following error:
The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion."

"A timeout was reached (30000 milliseconds) while waiting for the aswbIDSAgent service to connect."


I tried changing the "Startup type" from Manual to Automatic as some have suggested, but I only get message "Access denied" even if I start the Services window as an administrator.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: mchain on August 22, 2018, 06:59:37 AM
'Access Denied' error is very likely caused by Avast Self-Defense.  Ensure you are in an Administrative account.  Temporarily turn this off in Settings, make your changes to Startup Type, click apply then re-enable Self-Defense.  Reboot when done to ensure changes are loaded.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: terreaultguy on December 24, 2018, 05:20:40 AM
same problem, I have version 18.8.2356 (build 18.8.4084.4090)
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: loungehake on January 03, 2019, 11:26:14 AM
The issue of Behaviour Shield being an uncertain starter has existed as long as has Behaviour Shield. Since Avast know what shields are required by the user to run and what shields are actually running, why is there no mechanism to check on this and to automatically restart or start any shields which should be running but are detected not to be?

I guess that this must only require a fairly trivial bit of programming compared with the really awesome stuff inside Avast. It would better ensure protection if it could be ensured that shields are actually running. One shield not running is one shield providing less protection and Behaviour Shield does protect against zero-day hazards.  Behaviour Shield must have been a reason (among others) why Avast acquired AVG.

The yellow alert flag (with an exclamation mark?) on the Avast icon in the system tray is not the most conspicuous thing on the screen so it is easily missed and all the while Behaviour Shield is not protecting.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: loungehake on January 04, 2019, 02:50:47 PM
I have a hunch that Avast 19.1.2360 has cured this issue. The simplication of ceasing support of XP and Vista might be relevant?
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: bob3160 on January 04, 2019, 02:54:47 PM
I have a hunch that Avast 19.1.2360 has cured this issue. The simplication of ceasing support of XP and Vista might be relevant?
A problem I have not experienced on Windows 10 in many, many months.
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: rocksteady on January 04, 2019, 04:11:53 PM
I have not had this problem recently on either XPSP3 or Win10, both running 18.8.2356.
I realise v19 has been released today and that update will not apply to XP or Vista.
Ed
Title: Re: Behavior Shield keeps turning off on startup
Post by: loungehake on January 04, 2019, 11:23:32 PM
bob3160, my hardware is almost pre-historic.  The new Avast 19 has made a huge difference to its responsiveness.  Avast is now without peer in the anti-malware field as far as I am concerned.

If it can make an ancient AMD Sempron 3000+ single core 1.8Gz powered Windows 7 (x64) system actually sprightly, it must be good.  I do like a gentler pace of web page loading.  It gives me time to think.