Is "***SPAM***" in email subject line related to Avast?

[flycaster]

Lately, I've been getting emails on Thunderbird with subject lines such as: "***SPAM***Over a 100 Pre-owned Vehicles Available". These emails all have "***SPAM***" preceding the subject and all seem to come from reliable sources as the "reply" and "from" addresses are correct. Nonetheless, of course, I am fearful of opening them.

I first posted this inquiry on Thunderbird where it was suggested that this might be an Avast problem...and I am using Avast Internet Security program.  TB suggested that I view this thread: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=98012.0.  From the thread, I am not sure if this is an Avast problem as I'm not clear as to how "spam" appeared in the poster's subject line.  That is, if the problem is related to Avast, does the word"spam" appear with the stars and in caps (viz., ***SPAM***) as mine does, or is it different?

[Pondus]

From the thread, I am not sure if this is an Avast problem...........

Does the problem go away if you turn off avast spam filter


Is this related to your comcast mail account?

If so i would turn off avast / thunderbird spam filters and let comcast do the spam filtering

[flycaster]

Yes, this is a comcast email account and I am using TB's filter.  But, before I do anything, can you tell me that it is or isn't Avast that uses "***SPAM***" as their alert just prior to the subject title? 

[Rednose]

Hi adam999

*** SPAM *** is indeed the default mark from Avast in subject of spam messages.

Greetz, Red.

[flycaster]

As Avast is incorrectly marking valid emails as spam, I would like to disable this function as long as I'm not disabling anything else.  How? And thanks.

[Rednose]

Hi adam999

Disable Antispam : Avast - Settings - Components - Antispam - On - Stop permanently.

Or uninstall Antispam : Avast - Settings - Components - Antispam - V ( arrow down ) - Uninstall Component.

Greetz, Red.

[flycaster]

Hey Red, thanks for the solution to my problem. I have stopped the anti-spam function on Avast, but tell me...if you can:
1.  I've had AIS for a while now, but it seems that its anti-spam activity just started recently?...recent updates?
2.  Any reason why Avast's anti-spam has been making so many errors (incorrect identification of spam) on emails that are very valid (like from banks, phone companies, etc)?

[Rednose]

Hi adam999,

I really don't know much about Avast Antispam, as I mostly use free email providers like Hotmail, Gmail etc. and the spam is taken care about on their servers.

Greetz, Red.