Seem to have 'lost' the blue resident protection icon from the system tray
When I first install AVAST and the program runs the Icons are in the system tray until I shut down my computer, then when I restart my computer they are gone again.
Try RejZor's AEC avast! External Control program
Didn't try this, don't know what it is.
No Firewall
It is a graphical user interface (designed by one of the forum members RejZor) to enable many tweaks to be carried out without having to do them manually. Click on the Link in my previous post, it is the blue text. Run it as I suggested previously.
I would advise you to get a software firewall, your personal details, accounts, user names, passwords, etc. are at risk without one.
There are a number of freeware firewalls, this topic has been discussed many times in the forums.