email scanner problems in Avast 5

[davidxword]

I am running Vista Home Premium with 2.5 G of RAM on a Gateway laptop. I come over to the free version of Avast 5 from AVG yesterday. During the download I got a message saying that it couldn't download the mail scanner because "Mail" something was running (unfortunately I didn't write down the message and just clicked "proceed"). The installation then proceeded normally and the anti-virus function is working fine but NOT the mail scanner which I really want. Can anybody advise me how to enable the mail scanner, please?

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

Go to install programs (or however that is called in VISTA, formerly add/delete programs in XP Control Panel), select avast, select "add" and then add the Mailshield.
If it is already there, do a "repair" installation.

If that won't do: uninstall and boot to safe mode, run aswclear5.exe (downlodlink in my sig), search for all "alwil" and "Avast" folders on C: and delete them.
Reboot to normal mode and install from scratch. Turn off all Email clients before installation.
REBOOT.

[davidxword]

Thanks very much for your suggestion. I did what you said and got the following message when I next picked up my emails (I use Outlook Express).

NOTICE FROM AVAST
avast has detected a secure connection from your mail program (process WinMail.exe) to the SMTP server.
This type of connection cannot be checked for viruses.Please disable SSL/TLS in your mail client so that the Mail Scanner can scan your mail. The Mail Scanner will provide the SSL/TLS security itself. (end of notice)

I should explain that I use Gmail and another normal (as opposed to Internet server) email address and I sent myself an email from my Gmail account. Am I right in thinking that Avast can scan any incoming emails sent by a non internet based server but not from say HotMail or Gmail.The Avast notice appeared  when I picked up the emails (in Outlook Express) I sent from Gmail I haven't a clue what SSL/TLS is or how to disable it if I should.

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

okay, I'll guide you through, if you wish.

1.On the Outlook Express Tools menu, click Accounts.
2.Click the Mail tab, and then double-click your e-mail account.
3.Click the Advanced tab.
4.Disable ssl and/or tls for incoming and outcoming mail
5. set the "incoming" port number to 110 (pop3) or 143 (imap)
6. set outgoing port to 25 or 587

reboot

report if problem is fixed, please.

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

For avast settings, see screenshots.

Third pic: web.de is MY ISP! Your settings will look somewhat different.

I recommend to download Thunderbird 3 as mailclient instead of Outlook express.

Please feedback, if everything works.

[davidxword]

It all seems to be working as I think it should be. You mentioned downloading Thunderbird 3  for emails. I've only ever used Outlook Express which is now called Windows Mail in Vista. What is that is better in Thunderbird 3.

Once again, thank you for all your help in this matter.

David

[YoKenny]

@ davidxword

I prefer Windows Mail on my Windows 7 system but I still use Outlook Express on my XP Pro system.

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

It all seems to be working as I think it should be. You mentioned downloading Thunderbird 3  for emails. I've only ever used Outlook Express which is now called Windows Mail in Vista. What is that is better in Thunderbird 3.

Once again, thank you for all your help in this matter.

David

TB3 is opensource software. It has no real advantages, I just like it better. Tabbed emails, and a rella great set up wizzard, who does the trick for almost everything.
Just give it a try.