An application is requesting access to a protected item

[DavidR]

Strangely enough, I still have the Protected Storage service enabled on my XP system, image 1, but I don't have any issues like yours.

The Log On settings don't make it any easier to understand what it is that controls, image 2.

[Eddy]

Same here.
I wonder if it is perhaps SafeGuard from Sophos...

Jeff,
I want to check a few things.
Please run Farbar and attach frst.txt and addition.txt to your next post here.

[REDACTED]

OK I'll give that a try and let it run for a few days. Will let you know the results then. Thanks.

[REDACTED]

Well I found out source of the problem. It is Avast's Home Network Security scanning. I can duplicate this issue by simply opening the "Scan for Network Threats" and poof! The dialog appears each time I do so. So now I'm trying to find out how to disable HNS. I think adding my router URL to the Exclusions list should do it. I will let you know how that's working after a few days.

Thanks for everyone's help on this.

[DavidR]

Well I found out source of the problem. It is Avast's Home Network Security scanning. I can duplicate this issue by simply opening the "Scan for Network Threats" and poof! The dialog appears each time I do so. So now I'm trying to find out how to disable HNS. I think adding my router URL to the Exclusions list should do it. I will let you know how that's working after a few days.

Thanks for everyone's help on this.

Interesting and a good bit of detective work.

I wonder if this might have something to do with others having problems with the scan itself. That said they aren't mentioning about this Protected Storage dialogue window.

[Eddy]

Install the latest version and see if it still happens :
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=179656.0

[REDACTED]

The only way I've found to disable the "Protected Item" popup error message is to turn off Home Network Security (under Settings> Tools> HNS).

Installing the latest Beta (2245) did not fix this issue.

Adding http://192.168.1.1 to the exclusion URL does not fix this issue either (I would guess that HNS does not look at the exclusions lists).

I'm ok with disabling HNS - I have already hardened my network so I dont really need it to run every day.

Thanks for all your help here.

[REDACTED]

I am having the same problem when I switch onto the internet both with Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
The same 'protected item image as described above and unable to click it off
I have paid for AVAST Antivirus
the only way to stop receivig this image is to uninstall AVAST but when I reinstall it and go onto the internet the image comes onto my screen again
Would appreciate any help to get rid of this 'protected item' image off my desktop short of getting rid of AVAST permanently

[REDACTED]

Same Problem. Avastsvc.exe is attempting to access a protected area. Happens when I launch Mozilla.

[REDACTED]

Jeff above
has found a solution
'The only way I've found to disable the "Protected Item" popup error message is to turn off Home Network Security (under Settings> Tools> HNS). '
But I am unable to find (under Settings> Tools> HNS). ...it does not show on my Avast Page

[Asyn]

Jeff above has found a solution
'The only way I've found to disable the "Protected Item" popup error message is to turn off Home Network Security (under Settings> Tools> HNS). '
But I am unable to find (under Settings> Tools> HNS). ...it does not show on my Avast Page

Things have changed since 2015.
-> https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB96#artTitle (Add/Remove components)

[REDACTED]

Thanks Asyn 
Click on Avast Pro AntiVirus >Settings>Components .... there are many subsections                I am unable to find Home Network Security    ....what do I remove to get rid of this irritating 'protected item image' ... which once appears on my desktop I am unable to switch OFF ?

[Asyn]

Post a screenshot.

[REDACTED]

screenshot attached

[Asyn]

No, I meant a screenshot of...

this irritating 'protected item image'