Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Spiritual2016 on December 31, 2020, 06:42:34 PM
-
Avast Free Version 20.10.2442
Win 7 Home Premium
After rebooting my desktop, the 'NVidia nForce Networking Controller pop-up was displayed along with the message 'You've connected to a new network; If not properly secured, this network could expose your private data' with the option to 'Scan Network.'
What is this about?
-
It isn't an Ad as this is the free WiFi Inspector at work, depending on your avast settings for it. EDIT: though after the scan if you check results it makes a reference to the Avast Secureline VPN. Though for me I see no connection at all between WiFi Inspector and a bloody VPN, that wouldn't protect against someone trying to access your WiFi network.
I suspect you have both options checked (enabled) and the one responsible is
See this topic for more information https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=245681.0 my Reply #7 and later should explain ?
The 'rescan home networks automatically' would appear to be the one responsible for this. You would be more interested in new connections to the network.
That said, if you have your network buttoned up, set up as Private and with strong WPA2 security and access requiring a password to access the network from outside your personal private network. Then you are much less vulnerable, but you are getting a warning of someone 'trying' to gain access.
-
DavidR:
Should these settings be left alone or should they be changed? If the latter, how is that done?
-
Well I feel you need to know the information, to understand what the WiFi Inspector does and if your system/network has strong protection, the WiFi inspector would hardly be troubled.
If you know what would legitimately be connecting to your network, Mobile Phone, Laptop/PC or Tablet anything outside of that would be suspicious.
If your Router has an NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, then this would also be checked. But you wouldn't want the WiFi Inspector to continually be checking your Home network (my opinion, your choice) only new network connections.
The image attached in my Reply #7 shows the settings that I have and which to uncheck (if the above statement is correct), AvastUI > Settings > Protection > WiFi Inspector.
-
I have a cable modem (with a router enabled but not used) wired and connected to my desktop computer and just want basic free antivirus protection.
-
First I have never used cable.
If you can't connect WiFi devices to your Cable Router and any other connection would have to be directly connected to the cable modem (?), then the WiFi Inspector would seem redundant.
-
What settings need to be changed/enabled/disabled?
-
The WiFi Inspector is incorrect, if the Windows OS > Settings > Network and Internet information says it is Private then it is.
In all honesty, changing the settings for the WiFi Inspector is pretty pointless if your system doesn't even allow that kind of access. You could remove the WiFi Inspector component completely if it isn't going to be used or give misleading information.
Having never used a cable connection, I have no idea of its limitations or possible access. But if it requires physical access then WiFi is redundant.
-
Should only the 'Scan New Networks Automatically' option be enabled OR should Wifi Inspector be removed OR should Wifi Inspector be kept in case I decide to add wireless devices in the future?
-
You're confused, snap.
We have gone from only having a cable router, no modem, to now Cisco Router Modem with enabled Wifi.
This constitutes your network has WiFi capability, regardless if you use it or not, others could try to connect to that WiFi.
For instance, if I haven't currently connected to my WiFi, I will be shown a list of available WiFi connections, these are all pretty much neighbours WiFi network connections (see attached image1). So it isn't a case of you don't use it, but that you have it, so it has to be secured. You would see this if you ever tried to connect to your network wirelessly.
So they could try to connect to mine, but would find a password required because of my network settings, so that is blocked. If for whatever reason something did get through (or I didn't have WPA2 and password required) it would be subject to the WiFi Inspector scan.
Personally I don't feel that you need the "Rescan Home Networks Automatically: Enabled" option. As in you are the only one using that so you don't want to constantly scan it
if you have your network buttoned up, set up as Private and with strong WPA2 security and access requiring a password to access the network from outside your personal private network. Then you are much less vulnerable, but you are getting a warning of someone 'trying' to gain access.
One of the major differences being my windows network settings relate to windows 10 and not Win7, so there will be some differences. image 2
What also confuses me is this:
Network 3: Public Network
Network: Public Network
Local Area Connection: Public Network
Win 7 Network Info Shows:
Network 2 Home Network with Local Area Connection
Public can mean anyone can access it, but some firewalls have more strict rules for Public access and less strict for your Private network. This is certainly the case for the Avast Firewall (which I don't use).
-
As a result of 'having' Wifi enabled, it is recommended that Wifi Inspector should remain installed but only the 'Scan New Networks Automatically' option should be enabled.
-
Since my Cisco Router Modem has Wifi enabled, others could try to connect to that WiFi.
Most WiFi routers have a WiFi On/Off button, if you dont use WiFi turn it off
-
Pondus:
Can I leave Wifi enabled in case I use it in the future or is it better to disable it?
-
Can I leave Wifi enabled in case I use it in the future or is it better to disable it?
If your router have a WiFi On/Off button it is as simple as turning On/Off the light in your room, you trun the light on when you need it and of when you dont
-
That stated, even though my home network is password-protected, is it recommended that only the 'Scan New Networks Automatically' option of the Wifi Inspector should be enabled OR does the password protection mean that the Wifi Inspector is an overkill feature and can be removed?
-
I am going to keep Wifi enabled in case I need it in the future.
That stated, even though my home network is password-protected, is it recommended that only the 'Scan New Networks Automatically' option of the Wifi Inspector should be enabled OR does the password protection mean that the Wifi Inspector is an overkill feature and can be removed?
If you have a WiFi enabled router, even if password protected, etc. having the WiFi Inspector enabled is fine. But you don't want it constantly checking your home network "Rescan Home Networks Automatically: Enabled."
If nothing else it is notifying you of an attempt to connect or checking a connection on your local network that as permission, e.g. one that you initiated (if you ever do).
-
DavidR:
Do I have this correct:
-Even though my home network is password-protected, it is recommended to keep the Wifi Inspector feature installed.
-Specifically, only the 'Scan New Networks Automatically' option of the Wifi Inspector should be enabled.
-
Yes, it is a case of wearing a belt and braces in case one breaks.
Joking aside, at the very least it would be notifying you of attempts to access your network.
My settings in attached image.
-
1. Once the 'Scan New Networks Automatically' option is enabled, is there any maintenance or will the software monitor it automatically in real-time?
2. Does the automatic functionality replace the 'Network Scan' button (I do not see this button, unless I missing a detail?)
-
1. None.
2. Your system is different to mine, so I can't say and I can't say what you see compared to my settings, this is why I use attached images.
-
I am using Win 7 Home Premium and Free Avast Version 20.10.2442.
-
1. That really is what Automatically means.
2. Please post a screenshot as I don't know where you are looking and I can't speculate as to what you are seeing (or not). I don't know if you are simply looking in the wrong place.
Note all manual Scanning is located in the same place. AvastUI > Protection (and in this case) > WiFi Inspector
-
Menu->Settings->Protection->Wifi Inspector.
I see the two Scan and Rescan options, 'Visited Networks,' and 'New Device Notification' but there is no 'Network Scan' button.
Also, the 'Local Area Connection' slider in Wifi Inspector has a red bar through it while it showed 'Public Network' yesterday-The 'Windows Firewall' setting (Win 7 Control Panel) shows a connection with a green check-mark.
-
Sorry but I can't continue with this, I can't see what you are seeing on your screen and have no idea of where you are looking.
This is why I use screenshots to show what I'm talking about, without them I'm working in the dark.
-
Thanks.