Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Skywarrior on July 23, 2008, 01:29:59 AM
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If Avast is going to be repaired so the Opera users can again trust this software to work like before. I see many posts about how it wronged PC's and haven't seen a response about the cure
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I think the problems only concern the webshield. I don't use that and have no problems with the latest version and Opera 9.51. Webshield seems pretty pointless when you are using a browser like Opera anyway...
(and you might like to choose a more appropriate title for your thread...)
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Webshield seems pretty pointless when you are using a browser like Opera anyway...
Can you explain.
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Webshield seems pretty pointless when you are using a browser like Opera anyway...
Indeed, like nightshade said, I don't understand your statement...
Do you really know how WebShield works?
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Webshield seems pretty pointless when you are using a browser like Opera anyway...
Indeed, like nightshade said, I don't understand your statement...
Do you really know how WebShield works?
I could be wrong, but if I had to guess, I THINK that the Poster, davews could conceivably be referring to that Opera ... is NOT the HUGE Main Target for Viruses and other Malware that IE is.
And don't shoot the messenger. I'm just taking a guess as to what the Poster might have been alluding. Sure, way less Malware is targeted at Opera & Firefox, but they're NOT immune.
In MY case, I'd like to be able to use the Web Shield with Opera, but when I do, the pages don't quite load in their entirety. There IS a very much decent, functional rendition of the pages, but I just get irked seeing pages NOT displayed in their entirety. It just annoys me. So, I disabled the Web Shield after my brief experiment. But YES, IF avast! were to fix it to where the Web Shield does work properly with Opera, then YES ... I'm Game. I'm In.
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The browser isn't the target for code injection on web sites having been hacked.
You see many of these in the forums where people are reporting their site is reporting win32:trojan-gen, etc. when they 'know' there is nothing wrong with their site, only to have it pointed out to them that there is code on that page they weren't aware of and their site had been hacked.
That doesn't care if you are using IE, Firefox or Opera, the same as many other iframe exploits, they can run on any browser. The web shield can stop much of that in its tracks, the browser firefox, noscript add-on will stop other code running by default and the user can further take up the slack by running browsers/email clients with limited user rights.
So the web shied plays a role in proactive protection but nothing should be relied on 100% and that includes browsers, Opera or otherwise. Obviously whilst there is an issue with Opera and the web shield until that is resolved it is a moot point.
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The Opera issue will be resolved in a timely fashion.
Thanks
Vlk
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Yes, please don't shoot the messanger...
I was indeed referring to the improved security inherent in using Opera. It is true in this day and age of nasty scripting iFrames that some exploits may work their way through even with Opera, but the On Access scanner will trap all of those. Being internet savvy and playing safe-hex, I have browsed with Opera for many years and never ever seen a virus - and until moving to Avast recently did not have the luxury of a Webshield, F-Prot does not offer that. Maybe 'pointless' is the wrong word, but it is really 'belt and braces'. Obviously somewhat different for your Mr. Average with a house of teenage kids browsing on IE....
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The Opera issue will be resolved in a timely fashion.
Thanks
Vlk
Awesome!
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Version 4.8.1229 is supposed to solve the problem.
Thanks
Vlk
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Version 4.8.1229 is supposed to solve the problem.
Thanks
Vlk
Thanks Vlk, is this out yet or will it be the next one. After fighting the system all day Sunday because of a update, don't much want to have it back.
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It is available now do a manual program update, right click the avast 'a' icon, select Updating, Program Update.
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Verified that the Opera Avatar and attachment display problem is fixed in .1229. Thanks for the quick response, Avast!-now I can put FF back to bed. :)
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Installed and I wish thanks those who worked extra hard work on the version. 6 days and patched, "SUPER"
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It is available now do a manual program update, right click the avast 'a' icon, select Updating, Program Update.
And this 4.8.1229 is the REAL Deal? No Beta Testing version? So you're saying I can update RIGHT NOW and then be able to finally have the Web Shield work properly ... display pages in their entirety on Opera? Of course, I know I have to perform that Proxy changing bit, of which someone here on the Forum supplied a picture not too long ago. Yes, I still have that.
Are these the only changes / fixes on this version? I just want to know whether I need to rush the New Version FYI to my friend if there are other fixes in this New version. She doesn't have Opera, so if the Opera fix is the only one, then she wouldn't need to jump immediately on the Update.
I didn't see 4.8.1229 on the avast! site as the LATEST Update. That's why I'm asking about this and whether it is the Real Deal. Then again, the site was also behind as to the Latest Virus Database Update.
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And this 4.8.1229 is the REAL Deal? No Beta Testing version? So you're saying I can update RIGHT NOW and then be able to finally have the Web Shield work properly ... display pages in their entirety on Opera? Of course, I know I have to perform that Proxy changing bit, of which someone here on the Forum supplied a picture not too long ago. Yes, I still have that.
Yes, it's a release that fixes that.
Are these the only changes / fixes on this version? I just want to know whether I need to rush the New Version FYI to my friend if there are other fixes in this New version. She doesn't have Opera, so if the Opera fix is the only one, then she wouldn't need to jump immediately on the Update.
The homepage wasn't updated yet, so we must 'discover' the changes in forum meanwhile.
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And this 4.8.1229 is the REAL Deal? No Beta Testing version? So you're saying I can update RIGHT NOW and then be able to finally have the Web Shield work properly ... display pages in their entirety on Opera? Of course, I know I have to perform that Proxy changing bit, of which someone here on the Forum supplied a picture not too long ago. Yes, I still have that.
Yes, it's a release that fixes that.
Well, I just Updated to 4.8.1229. Verdict?
It was an utter FAILURE! Did NOT Work! The exact same failures as I recall from the last time that I experimented with the Web Shield. And it's not like I threw some Super Tough websites at it to try and gag the Web Shield. Heck no. I tossed it about as easy as you can get websites. I simply threw some of my Favs from my Opera Personal Bar at it.
Wikipedia: Could NOT display the Icons at the bottom of page.
Wiktionary: Same as Wikipedia
Webster Online Dictionary: Was an utter unadulterated MESS of a Frankenstein Disaster! The Progress Bar disappearing indicated that it was declaring the Loading to be Complete. Yeah Right! It was probably 66% Incomplete. >:(
I had seen enough. With the Webster Dictionary MESS still displaying, I deactivated the Web Shield Proxy Settings. And immediately, BAMM! Signs of Loading resuming, when with the Web Shield enabled, Loading was declared Complete. Interesting.
:::Sigh::: Maybe this is one of those deals where the alleged "Opera Fix" is only for Windows 2000 / XP and above. If that IS the case, well, we Win98 Users already know the deal. We already know that from 4.8 on, many New Bells & Whistles will NOT work on Win98. Ehhh, No Biggie. I've been operating without the Web Shield all along from the get go. So, it's NOT like anything was taken AWAY from me.
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Probably silly to ask but, just for sure, have you restarted your computer after updating the program, Chim?
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Probably silly to ask but, just for sure, have you restarted your computer after updating the program, Chim?
After the Update, I was prompted to Restart Now or Later.
I Restarted right then and there.
And after reading your post, I even just for the heck of it, went and Restarted again ... Reactivated the Web Shield Proxy Settings. I tried the same Test ... the same 3 websites as before. Now Webster Dictionary was a bit better, but still NOT complete. Now Wiktionary was the one that was a HUGE Mess.
Nope! Just NOT working for me.
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Sorry for the trouble, Chim. Then, I guess we can do nothing till Avast! team come in and tackle with the issue. :( If there are people with the same experience, it could be helpful to write down their environments in order for the team to nail down the cause.
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Chim I guess that's the problem with using an obsolete operating system like Win98SE as it does not support the latest advances in Web technology.
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Sorry for the trouble, Chim. Then, I guess we can do nothing till Avast! team come in and tackle with the issue. :( If there are people with the same experience, it could be helpful to write down their environments in order for the team to nail down the cause.
Chim I guess that's the problem with using an obsolete operating system like Win98SE as it does not support the latest advances in Web technology.
At this point it hasn't been ascertained that the problem I'm still experiencing is isolated to Win98. For all we know, once the feedback starts coming in on Thursday, it might turn out that the problem is still existent on all Windows versions. But, if it does turn out to be isolated to Win98, y'all don't have to worry. I'm NOT going to wreak havoc. ;D Like I said, I'm aware that from 4.8 on, Win98 Users will not enjoy all the perks. I've never known what it's like to have the Web Shield, so I won't miss it if avast! cannot get it to work with Win98 & Opera.
The makeup of my System is in my Signature just in case anyone from avast! wants to record the Info.
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Chim,
it's strange that v1229 didn't fix it in your case. The fix should be pretty much OS-independent (as was the bug).
May I suggest you try reinstalling avast -- maybe the update somehow didn't work?
Thanks
Vlk
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<removed>
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Chim,
it's strange that v1229 didn't fix it in your case. The fix should be pretty much OS-independent (as was the bug).
May I suggest you try reinstalling avast -- maybe the update somehow didn't work?
Thanks
Vlk
If I reinstall avast!, it will probably have to be Friday evening. I do have the avast! 4.8.1201 Setup File on CD, so technically a HUGE part of downloading is eliminated. But, since we're now what ... 3 versions higher than that, I'd rather want to download the whole New Latest version so that I can burn that onto my CD. Well, that and so that with this current Web Shield issue, I'd want the entire thing installed correctly in one shot ... instead of loading part from CD and then coming up in an already outdated version ... then having to update to the highest version. Downloading avast! will take at least 2½ hours on my Dial Up. That's why I have to wait until Friday evening when I can work it into my routine.
I take it I have to uninstall it first from the Control Panel and then finish it off with the avast! Uninstaller, right? In the meantime, maybe further feedback here on this forum can shed some light on this quirk, idiosyncrasy hiccup regarding this issue as it manifests itself on my computer. Who knows? Maybe later I'll try to get some feedback over at the Opera Browser Forum. See if other Opera / avast! combo Users are also still experiencing the problem.
Hey, Vlk, you said the Bug & Fix were OS independent. What about ISP independent? More specifically, COULD the fact that I run my Opera superimposed on AOL as my ISP affect the success of the 4.8.1229 Fix? Maybe the Fix is for REAL ISPs? ;D
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If there was some issue with your update, which isn't totally uncommon for win9x, you would be advised to download the latest version and do a clean reinstall.
Is there no one you know that has broadband it would take them seconds to download, that is what I do when I have a large download. Though your dial-up isn't very good either as mine averages usually 3.5 - 4 minutes per megabyte.
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If there was some issue with your update, which isn't totally uncommon for win9x, you would be advised to download the latest version and do a clean reinstall.
Is there no one you know that has broadband it would take them seconds to download, that is what I do when I have a large download. Though your dial-up isn't very good either as mine averages usually 3.5 - 4 minutes per megabyte.
Hmmm? I do have one possibility ... a neighbor with DSL. I'll see IF, depending on his evening schedule, he might be able to download 4.8.1229 and burn it onto my CD. That would definitely be a HUGE help. Man! That was a brilliant idea! You should have warned me you were gonna post up such brilliance. I would have put on some High SPF Sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned by such brilliance. ;D I'll download and burn the avast! Uninstaller onto my CD as well while I'm at it.
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No problem, there are some shades on the forums 8)
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Sooo, I had E-mailed neighbor dude during the day to give him the heads up that I'd be dropping by in the afternoon to High Speed download my avast! Anti-Virus on his DSL computer. I never did get a reply. A while ago I found out neighbor dude is out of town and won't be back until Sunday. His mom let me use the computer to take care of my downloading business.
The downloading of the avast! SetUpEng File was the easy part ... and Droolingly FAST! Compared to my typical Dial Up download of avast! at 2½ Hours ... the DSL download took 3½ MINUTES!!! :D
Then came the hard part. Figuring out how to get it on a CD. It's not like he had Easy CD Creator, like what I have, handy. I searched around his software for something ... anything that might look like it would Burn CDs. After a couple of misses and false alarms, I finally came across this Nero Essentials Express. I had never heard of it, but it looked like it was for Burning CDs so I dove in. It worked. I now have 4.8.1229 on my Desktop. Maybe a bit later, if not, tomorrow I'll do that uninstalling / reinstalling of avast!.
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I told you it wouldn't take long ;D
A friend downloaded Windows XP SP3 (service pack) 316MB it took a little over an hour her broadband isn't fast but compared to dial-up would have taken about 21 hours on mine, assuming I could remain connected for 21 hours.
Until tomorrow.
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I told you it wouldn't take long ;D
A friend downloaded Windows XP SP3 (service pack) 316MB it took a little over an hour her broadband isn't fast but compared to dial-up would have taken about 21 hours on mine, assuming I could remain connected for 21 hours.
Until tomorrow.
I knew I wouldn't be able to wait until Friday. So, I dove into the avast! Uninstall / Reinstall project. avast! 4.8.1229 is now Cleanly installed in my computer from scratch. The WikiWeb Test has been run. Yep, a Test more Powerful ... more DREADED by Browsers and Web Shields than the Acid 2 Test. That's right --- the Wikipedia / Wiktionary / Webster Online Dictionary Test.
I had hoped that the 3rd Time was gonna be the Charm.
But -------------- It wasn't meant to be.
3rd verse ... Same as the 1st.
The Web Shield is still NOT functioning properly with my Opera.
Is it possible that with a 733 MHz Celeron Processor, my computer is just plain ole Too Slow and Underpowered to be able to deal with the scenic route detour of the Net Traffic going over to the avast! Servers before eventually making it to my computer?
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I took your "WikiWeb Test" on my XP SP3 system with Opera 9.51. It passed easily. I guess you need to get a modern OS & computer. ;)
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Is it possible that with a 733 MHz Celeron Processor, my computer is just plain ole Too Slow and Underpowered to be able to deal with the scenic route detour of the Net Traffic going over to the avast! Servers before eventually making it to my computer?
The net traffic goes nowhere near any avast servers - it is scanned (if you have set the proxy up to do so) by avast all inside your machine as it arrives from your ISP.
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Is it possible that with a 733 MHz Celeron Processor, my computer is just plain ole Too Slow and Underpowered to be able to deal with the scenic route detour of the Net Traffic going over to the avast! Servers before eventually making it to my computer?
The net traffic goes nowhere near any avast servers - it is scanned (if you have set the proxy up to do so) by avast all inside your machine as it arrives from your ISP.
Are you sure about that? I always thought / understood that the difference between the Standard Shield and the Web Shield was that the Web Shield checked all the Net Traffic and intercepted any Malware way before it made it remotely near your computer. This while the Standard Shield was checking for Malware already THERE in your computer's doorstep. I don't know. Even when I read the explanation below, it's still a bit eye-glazingly cloudy and confusing-esque. ;D Depending on how I read the material below, I still interpret that the Net Traffic goes elsewhere other than your computer. I mean, they do mention Web Servers.
http://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=19
You want to take an in a Nutshell, can't miss, foolproof shot at explaining the difference between the Web Shield and the Standard Shield?
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I took your "WikiWeb Test" on my XP SP3 system with Opera 9.51. It passed easily. I guess you need to get a modern OS & computer. ;)
Either that or another Hampster to replace the tired one that's running in that Hampster Wheel inside my Tower that powers my system. Actually, I still contend that there's also a high probability that it could be my Super SLOW AOL Dial Up connection that's the culprit. Where I used to live before, my AOL consistently connected at 44.4 KB/Sec. Where I live now, my AOL connects at between 26.4 to 28.8 KB/Sec. And it's NOT really a Bad Noisy Line. Some friends' AOL miles away also connects at that same pathetic rate. So, it's unfortunately the Norm AOL Connection rate around here. So, conceivably when the Web Shield is enabled and put in the picture, the pathetic slow connection rate is just NOT high enough to overcome an added factor in the equation.
Or I could be way off. Either way, I give up. avast! is welcome to look into this. But, since I'm the only one in the entire universe for whom the FIX Update didn't work, the Bug is probably officially considered Fixed.
Ehhh, the way I see it, today's experiment wasn't a total loss. I HAD wanted to download the Newest version and get it Burned on my CD. And now that's DUN. And I did it without having to waste 2½ hours.
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The information I gave you is 100% correct.
To quote from your link:
It’s implemented as a HTTP proxy running on your PC.
The only time you ever have any contact with an avast server is to get VPS updates, program updates or access this forum.
None of your traffic be it email, web traffic or network traffic is ever routed via an avast server.
Standard shield: scans files accesses on your computers file system
Webshield: scans the returned stream from http (of approved browser - list of approved browsers determined by avast) accesses you make to web servers out in the net
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<snip>
The net traffic goes nowhere near any avast servers - it is scanned (if you have set the proxy up to do so) by avast all inside your machine as it arrives from your ISP.
<snip>
You want to take an in a Nutshell, can't miss, foolproof shot at explaining the difference between the Web Shield and the Standard Shield?
Any activity on the internet is outside your system and as such wouldn't have any effect on your system as it isn't using your resources but those on the internet servers.
Only traffic that is entering your system using the http port 80 is scanned by the web shield, before being saved in your browser cache (or HDD if it is a download) so you can view it in your browser. This and only this puts a load on your system resources, ram, hdd and cpu.
You have don a lot of searching on the support.avast.com site, when you could have started with the avast help file (Resident Protection section) for a description of what the web shield does and how that compares with the standard shield.
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Chim,
Have you ever thought of ditching Opera and use Firefox?
I even received an update to Firefox version 15 the other day, and now have version 2.16, the update was for security reasons.
It works fine on Windows 98, the reason why I mention it to you.
You may even find that your web problems are fixed when using Firefox, by all means give it a try.
If you are interested in Firefox then download version 2 only as version 3, well guess what, doesn't work on 98.
Later tonight I will test these sites you have problems with, can you post the links to them here, so I will have access to the exact pages you yourself have a problem with, and I will let you know how I get on, being that I use Firefox.
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Chim,
Have you ever thought of ditching Opera and use Firefox?
I even received an update to Firefox version 15 the other day, and now have version 2.16, the update was for security reasons.
It works fine on Windows 98, the reason why I mention it to you.
You may even find that your web problems are fixed when using Firefox, by all means give it a try.
If you are interested in Firefox then download version 2 only as version 3, well guess what, doesn't work on 98.
Later tonight I will test these sites you have problems with, can you post the links to them here, so I will have access to the exact pages you yourself have a problem with, and I will let you know how I get on, being that I use Firefox.
;D Heh Heh Heh! I actually tried Firefox 2.0.0.14 for about 2 weeks BEFORE I ever tried Opera. It had potential for a while. I really thought I WAS gonna have a use for it, that it WOULD have its niche. But, real quickly, it fell out of favor with me and wound up in my Browser Doghouse. ;D It had 2 extremely annoying habits. It had a HUGE problem of NOT opening up Links / Pages on the 1st Shot. It would start loading and after 3 seconds or slightly more, it would declare the task done when it was obviously BS and there was nothing there. Then I'd try clicking again and it just wouldn't take. It kept indicating - DONE! I'd have to try multiple attempts at opening the Links / Pages on New Tab after New Tab ... New Window after New Window. I'd Close and Reopen Firefox. And / or I'd get nuclearly Peeved >:( and rapidly click about 10 to 15 times on the Link by the time Firefox would decide to get out of Browser Couch Potato mode and open up the page finally.
The other Bad Habit was that after it already had me FUMING from the stunt above ... it then had the unmitigated gall to NOT display the pages in their entirety. Sometimes it would take multiple Reloads before the pages were finally complete.
So, I remembered vaguely having seen Opera mentioned here and there in my Net Browsing sessions of Reviews of Software, Anti-Malware and such. I Googled it and liked what I read. I downloaded it and tried it. My first 20 minutes with Opera were NOT very auspicious and I was probably seconds away from aborting that experiment. But, luckily I took a break and afterwards things started to click. Opera 9.27 was virtually perfect. It easily neutralized all the aforementioned Firefox inadequacies. Needless to say --- I Ditched / Kicked Firefox to the Curb. I still have it on my Desktop. It's just benched ... 2nd String Quarterback with the Clipboard. ;D It is really Opera 9.50 and 9.51 with which I am having to exercise some patience and tolerance ... hopefully temporarily. But, even with those 2 versions' Bugs, they're still better than Firefox ever was on MY Quirky system. Nah! I would never think about ditching Opera just because the avast! Web Shield doesn't work properly with it on MY computer. I've never had Web Shield functionality, so I can't miss it.
As for the brutal WikiWeb Test that instills FEAR into Browsers? Here are the URLs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Main_Page
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
On the Wikipedia and Wiktionary, pay close attention at the bottom where it has these "Wikipedia's sister projects" and "Other Wikimedia Projects" Icons. With the Web Shield enabled, those are real easily the clincher. They're always missing then. But, other content can also be messed up or missing.
On the Webster site, that one is just basically usually some obvious, can't miss it - MESS.
But, it's really NOT just those sites that fail with the Web Shield enabled. It's downright virtually almost ALL sites. Those in my WikiWeb Test just happen to be the first 3 that I try as they're the first 3 on my Opera Personal Bar. The WikiWeb Test is no doubt going to PASS on YOUR computer as it no doubt will PASS on everyone else's computers. It's probably just a syndrome isolated to MY OLD Slow computer and AOSnaiL Dial Up connection.
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Chim,
I tried all 3 links you gave, and all 3 opened with no problems at all, that was using Firefox 2.0.0.16
Can't say anything about Opera as I don't use that browser, sorry.
nightshade
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The net traffic goes nowhere near any avast servers - it is scanned (if you have set the proxy up to do so) by avast all inside your machine as it arrives from your ISP.
You want to take an in a Nutshell, can't miss, foolproof shot at explaining the difference between the Web Shield and the Standard Shield?
Any activity on the internet is outside your system and as such wouldn't have any effect on your system as it isn't using your resources but those on the internet servers.
Only traffic that is entering your system using the http port 80 is scanned by the web shield, before being saved in your browser cache (or HDD if it is a download) so you can view it in your browser. This and only this puts a load on your system resources, ram, hdd and cpu.
You have don a lot of searching on the support.avast.com site, when you could have started with the avast help file (Resident Protection section) for a description of what the web shield does and how that compares with the standard shield.
So where is this avast! Help File?
BTW, what in the wide world of perplexing paradoxes is a Proxy? And what is a Transparent Proxy? ??? Not having a clue as to what those are certainly doesn't help in me understanding a little bit better how these different avast! modules function. My eyes glaze over like a couple of Glazed Doughnuts when I read "Proxy" somewhere. ;D
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Chim,
I tried all 3 links you gave, and all 3 opened with no problems at all, that was using Firefox 2.0.0.16
Can't say anything about Opera as I don't use that browser, sorry.
nightshade
No Biggie. I'm moving on. I'm not going to worry about this.
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<snip>
So where is this avast! Help File?
<snip>
From the right click or menu or the F1 key in the simple user interface or Windows Programs, avast Antivirus, Help or directly C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HELP\help.chm.
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Actually, I still contend that there's also a high probability that it could be my Super SLOW AOL Dial Up connection that's the culprit. Where I used to live before, my AOL consistently connected at 44.4 KB/Sec. Where I live now, my AOL connects at between 26.4 to 28.8 KB/Sec. And it's NOT really a Bad Noisy Line. Some friends' AOL miles away also connects at that same pathetic rate. So, it's unfortunately the Norm AOL Connection rate around here. So, conceivably when the Web Shield is enabled and put in the picture, the pathetic slow connection rate is just NOT high enough to overcome an added factor in the equation.
If you're going to use dial-up, at least save some money with http://vtisp.com/ ;D
I've never used vtisp, but it's cheap. ;D
$3.95 per month for 150 hours of access per month, if paying monthly
$39.95 (a $3.33/month rate) for 1 year of 150-hour-per-month access
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<snip>
So where is this avast! Help File?
<snip>
From the right click or menu or the F1 key in the simple user interface or Windows Programs, avast Antivirus, Help or directly C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HELP\help.chm.
Found it. Thanks, David!
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Yes it is a bit buried and I have been requesting for ages that this should be in the right click menu of the avast icon.
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BTW, what in the wide world of perplexing paradoxes is a Proxy? And what is a Transparent Proxy? ??? Not having a clue as to what those are certainly doesn't help in me understanding a little bit better how these different avast! modules function. My eyes glaze over like a couple of Glazed Doughnuts when I read "Proxy" somewhere. ;D
Please read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_server
Happy to help an aspiring new techie :)
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BTW, what in the wide world of perplexing paradoxes is a Proxy? And what is a Transparent Proxy? ??? Not having a clue as to what those are certainly doesn't help in me understanding a little bit better how these different avast! modules function. My eyes glaze over like a couple of Glazed Doughnuts when I read "Proxy" somewhere. ;D
Please read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_server
Happy to help an aspiring new techie :)
Thanks,YoKenny! I liked the schematic representation. It's funny that when I made my request for an explanation, elaboration, clarification as to what a Proxy was ........... I HAD actually been thinking, "Can somebody draw me a friggin' PICTURE ... a Windows Paint Illustration of what a Proxy is?" ;D So, that Wikipedia illustration helped. I still have to read that material a couple more times to assimilate the differences between the various types of Proxies.
So, let me see if I am understanding correctly. The Web Shield would be one of those "Application Program" Proxies as in NOT an actual tangible COMPUTER Server Proxy that you can see and touch. Sooooo, when it is said that the Web Shield during its scanning of Net Traffic, comes across an element of Malware ... then the Malware is actually already IN your computer, in this ... this Middleman Non-tangible Application Proxy that is the Web Shield, right? So, the detected Malware is in a Secured Holding Area per se ... in the Web Shield Module, which is INSIDE your computer. Then by the design of the Web Shield Module, I guess --- the Computer User will be informed to Abort the Internet Connection so as to prevent the Malware from entering the gates of your Browser, correct?
So would it be safe to say that the Web Shield is a simulated Computer Server in between your computer and the Server of whatever website you happen to be accessing at any given time? If so, then on some level, I wasn't totally off with my original thinking of what the Web Shield was. I just wasn't aware that the Web Shield involved a simulated Computer Server INSIDE your computer ... instead of physical Servers somewhere away from your computer.
Okay, I'm about to Click on <Post> at which point I'll be risking getting a response telling me I'm STILL Not getting it. ;D
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In terms of most proxies you will encounter in the real world of home computing almost all of them will be programs or as you like to call them simulated servers - that is not a bad term since proxy just means "standing in for" or perhaps "pretending to be" - that isolate you from the servers that really reside outside your system on the Internet. These proxies in your system take control of the connection between you and http servers (Webshield) or email servers (Internet Mail provider) so that they can isolate and scan the traffic flow while it is still inert and ensure it is safe before it is able to be executed on your system or stored in your computer's file system.
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@ Chim:
Actually, I still contend that there's also a high probability that it could be my Super SLOW AOL Dial Up connection that's the culprit. Where I used to live before, my AOL consistently connected at 44.4 KB/Sec. Where I live now, my AOL connects at between 26.4 to 28.8 KB/Sec. And it's NOT really a Bad Noisy Line. Some friends' AOL miles away also connects at that same pathetic rate. So, it's unfortunately the Norm AOL Connection rate around here. So, conceivably when the Web Shield is enabled and put in the picture, the pathetic slow connection rate is just NOT high enough to overcome an added factor in the equation.
If you're going to use dial-up, at least save some money with http://vtisp.com/ ;D
I've never used vtisp, but it's cheap. ;D
$3.95 per month for 150 hours of access per month, if paying monthly
$39.95 (a $3.33/month rate) for 1 year of 150-hour-per-month access
The disadvantage with using vtisp, other than maybe the 150 hour per month limit, is the need for alternate internet access (a friend's computer maybe) for e-mail support if that should become necessary due to problems connecting.
The biggest advantage, if you are switching from AOL, is the removal of AOL software from your computer. My daughter keeps her old (ancient) computer here to check e-mail and do school work occasionally, and eradicating AOL from that 233 MHz Win98se fossil made a huge difference.
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@ Chim:
The biggest advantage, if you are switching from AOL, is the removal of AOL software from your computer. My daughter keeps her old (ancient) computer here to check e-mail and do school work occasionally, and eradicating AOL from that 233 MHz Win98se fossil made a huge difference.
Good point tls!
Switching to another ISP that doesn't require IE to be open while using another browser will save a lot of system resources. The AOL browser really a version of IE. With only Opera open Chim will no doubt see a big difference in performance.
I once used AOL for my ISP, I had it free for a year. It was required for internet access to have the AOL browser to be open.
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In terms of most proxies you will encounter in the real world of home computing almost all of them will be programs or as you like to call them simulated servers - that is not a bad term since proxy just means "standing in for" or perhaps "pretending to be" - that isolate you from the servers that really reside outside your system on the Internet. These proxies in your system take control of the connection between you and http servers (Webshield) or email servers (Internet Mail provider) so that they can isolate and scan the traffic flow while it is still inert and ensure it is safe before it is able to be executed on your system or stored in your computer's file system.
I have a better understanding now ... NOT 100%, but much better.
It's like if one had their heart set on Pizza Hut Pizza for lunch and then a pouring rain ensued and one didn't want to go out. So, one calls Domino's Pizza for Delivery. The Domino's Pizza ends up being the Proxy Pizza ... "Pretending to be ..." --- "Standing in for" Pizza Hut Pizza, right? Whew! Glad we cleared THAT up! ;D
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@ Chim:
The biggest advantage, if you are switching from AOL, is the removal of AOL software from your computer. My daughter keeps her old (ancient) computer here to check e-mail and do school work occasionally, and eradicating AOL from that 233 MHz Win98se fossil made a huge difference.
Good point tls!
Switching to another ISP that doesn't require IE to be open while using another browser will save a lot of system resources. The AOL browser really a version of IE. With only Opera open Chim will no doubt see a big difference in performance.
I once used AOL for my ISP, I had it free for a year. It was required for internet access to have the AOL browser to be open.
Thanks for the Tips, tls ... rdmaloy! Yeah, I did immediately notice the disillusioning Warning that if you lose your vtisp Connection, don't even dream of calling them because you're on your own and you'd better have an alternate E-mailing source. Throw in the 150 hour limit and I was turned off. I hate limits. Yeah, I have no doubt that Opera without the AOL Ball & Chain Baggage is bound to be Super FAST, cuz it certainly touts itself as the Fastest Browser on the Planet. :o
That Non-friendly, Iffy vtisp Service reminded me of an incident once when I did contemplate replacing AOL. I had gotten an AT & T Net Service CD in the mail. I installed it and couldn't get it to work. I called their Tech Support. Not surprisingly, the 1st thing the Rep had me do was Wipe Out AOL from my computer. Then he had me try this and that. It still didn't work. I called AT & T again. The next Rep had me making wholesale changes to my Windows, making me very uncomfortable in the process. Then it STILL didn't work. The 3rd Rep decided that I didn't have the latest AT & T software. He then goes, "You're gonna have to download the latest version of the software for it to work." I reply, "And just exactly HOW do you propose I do THAT? You had me Wipe Out my AOL!!! I now have NO Internet Service!" The Rep just sheepishly goes, "Oh yeah, that's right. Sorry about that." Morons. ;D That was the end of my AT & T Net Service experiment.
Hey, I've always been curious. With an ISP Connection established, what if anything can be done ... without a Browser? Or is one completely Dead in the Water without a Browser? It's just that I THINK I vaguely recall, albeit I could be wrong --- AGAIN! ;D Wasn't there already Internet Activity BEFORE the 1st Browser came along? Can one actually search for stuff without a Browser ... as long as an ISP connection is in place?
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Hey, I've always been curious. With an ISP Connection established, what if anything can be done ... without a Browser? Or is one completely Dead in the Water without a Browser? It's just that I THINK I vaguely recall, albeit I could be wrong --- AGAIN! Wasn't there already Internet Activity BEFORE the 1st Browser came along? Can one actually search for stuff without a Browser ... as long as an ISP connection is in place?
http://www.sciencetext.com/surf-the-web-without-a-browser.html
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Hey, I've always been curious. With an ISP Connection established, what if anything can be done ... without a Browser? Or is one completely Dead in the Water without a Browser? It's just that I THINK I vaguely recall, albeit I could be wrong --- AGAIN! Wasn't there already Internet Activity BEFORE the 1st Browser came along? Can one actually search for stuff without a Browser ... as long as an ISP connection is in place?
http://www.sciencetext.com/surf-the-web-without-a-browser.html
Whoa! Web Browsing via the Windows Calculator, Notepad or Paint? That is Hilarious! ;D Okay, so it amused ME anyway.
Little Ninja Hack ... Too Funny!
Hey, is it my misinterpretation, or did that David Bradley who wrote the article, take a HUGE Shot, an Iron-gloved Jab at Windows Vista with that comment about --- "I suspect none of this is possible on Microsoft’s OS downgrade, Vista." Downgrade? Ouch!
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Chim,
I tried David Bradley's instructions below, it worked with notepad & paint, but not with calculator.
Okay, so how do you open a web browser on a machine with no accessible web browser? It’s simple and takes just three steps:
1. Open Windows Calculator, Notepad, or Paint
2. Hit F1 to open help and click the top-left “query” icon
3. Click the phrase “Jump to URL…” and type in the full address with http:// and hit the enter key
How about you giving it a try? ;D
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Calculator can be used to surf the internet! :) It was my firewall blocking Calculator from accessing the internet.
Chim,
Try David Bradley's instructions, you may like using Calculator so much that it may become your browser of choice. ;D ;D ;D
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Calculator can be used to surf the internet! :) It was my firewall blocking Calculator from accessing the internet.
Awesome!
Chim,
Try David Bradley's instructions, you may like using Calculator so much that it may become your browser of choice. ;D ;D ;D
;D Alrighty, then. I see you're auditioning for Jay Leno's gig on the Tonight Show for when he retires next year.
So, does this revolutionary, pioneering, trail-blazing Calculator Browser have Bookmarks, Speed Dial, Tab Browsing and ... and will it work with the avast! Web Shield? 8)
Okay, at first I was afraid to try it for fear that with my quirky computer, such a McGyver-improvised Browser might generate a Physics-defying Time Travel Portal or something and suck me in. But, I'm curious enough to try it now. Just one thing stands in the way. What the blazes is this Query Icon on which I am supposed to click? what does it look like? Maybe it doesn't exist in Windows 98SE ... or at least NOT on the march to the beat of its own drum Chim Computer. I can't seem to find anything that screams - "Query."
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Query icon is the question mark.
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Query icon is the question mark.
I'm IN! With Windows Paint.
We've got liftoff. Wikipedia on the screen. :)
Ehhh, but then afterwards, that Time Travel Portal of which I spoke, almost materialized. I couldn't close Paint. It locked up. Then AOL Freaked Out. Then I got a Blue Screen. I ended up having to Reset Button my way out of that experiment. I don't know. My system might have already been on the brink of flaking out. I HAD been trying to get some Net Radio Stations going and things were already slowing down even then.