Avast freezes on virus detection

[Thailand_for_YOU]

My OS is Win XP Pro SP2, and I use Avast Home Edition (free). I have 2 GB of memory, Athlon X2 3800+, and Asus A8N-SLi Premium.

When Avast detects a virus (troyan) on my PC, and I click on Delete button, the detection window is freezes.

What's wrong?

[galooma]

Hi and welcome
You may find that Ewido is better at handling trojans than AV  get it free here http://www.ewido.net/en/
and good luck,  post back if you have futher problems

[Thailand_for_YOU]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Cloussau.

I'll try that Ewido.
If I understand correctly it works together with Avast, isn't it.

[CharleyO]

***

Welcome to the forums, T4U.   

Yes, ewido works very good with avast!

Let us know if this solves your problem.


***

[Thailand_for_YOU]

I run ewido, and it found several problems on my system:

Hijacker.Small.kr
TrackingCookie.Onestat
Trojan.Snowwal.d
Downloader.Harnig.bh
Not-A-Virus.Hoax.Win32.Renos.bw
Proxy.Small.bo

So, the program itself works fine. The question is how many programs one need to install and run to be protected...

As avast! Evangelists, you guys, should be concerned with such problem.
Hopefully, in the future it will be possible to unite both programs.

[CharleyO]

***

The general consensus is ......

One software firewall (ZA, Outpost, Jetico, Kerio, etc) (MS firewall not recomended as it only has inbound                                                                                                                       protection when outbound is also needed)

One anti-virus program (avast! of course)

At least one anti-trojan program (ewido for 2000 & XP; a-squared for W98 & ME)

At least 2 anti- adware/spyware programs (Ad-aware, SpyBot-S&D, SpywareBlaster, etc)

I hope this helps you.   


***

[general sue]

I run ewido, and it found several problems on my system:

Hijacker.Small.kr
TrackingCookie.Onestat
Trojan.Snowwal.d
Downloader.Harnig.bh
Not-A-Virus.Hoax.Win32.Renos.bw
Proxy.Small.bo

So, the program itself works fine. The question is how many programs one need to install and run to be protected...

As avast! Evangelists, you guys, should be concerned with such problem.
Hopefully, in the future it will be possible to unite both programs.

[Lisandro]

The question is how many programs one need to install and run to be protected...

For sure, not just one...
Layered defense = do not put all eggs in the same basket 
Anyway, you're right too. If avast has better detection, better spayware and trojan recognition, it won't be bad 

[DavidR]

It is generally best to have a multi level approach to protection, rather than have all your eggs in one basket so to speak. There are several distinct areas in the fight against the black hats, virus, adware/spyware, which often come in trojan form and malware in general. There are many programs that specialise in those areas, so you can choose one that best suits your needs rather than have a bloated single option.

avast and Ewido aren't likely to unite as they are from different companies.

If you haven't already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and run it.
1. Ad-Aware
2. Spybot Search and Destroy
3. Spywareblaster Don't install this until you are clean.
4. Ewido Security Suite, which you have.

[Thailand_for_YOU]

Yes, ewido was the latest edition to my protection arsenal consisting of:
a. two firewalls:
- ZoneAlarm and Nvidia (which came with the Asus mainboard) - both are active. I have deactivated the Windows firewall tho'.
 
b. three anti-spyware utilities:
- Spybot Search and Destroy
- Spywareblaster
- Ad-Aware SE Personal

c. Avast anti-virus

And as far as the firewalls and anti-virus software were concerned, it was always recommended to have only one program active at a time. Now the anti-virus field is divided into some sub-fields.

I do understand the consept of multi level approach to protection, but ...
With the exception of MS anti-spyware (don't recall the exact name), all programs mentioned above are almost  covering the range.

And still, there is no explanation why Avast is freezing while at work.

[Thailand_for_YOU]

This happend just now... the avast window frozen again.  It happend when PC was inactive for a while. When I click on Delete button no reaction.  I also can't move or close the window.

The window is as following:

avast! Warning
A Trojan Horse Was Found!

There is no reason to panic, though. Try to follow the given advice and links.

File name:    C:\System Volume Information\_restore{4564275F-76AO-4E8D-A3A
Malware name:    Win32:Agent-KL [Trj]
Malware Type:    Trojan Horse
VPS version:    0615-3, 04/14/2006

Available actions
Move/Rename..   Delete..   Move to chest


Any cure?
 

[galooma]

this is not an active trojan as such but a copy captured in your system restore files.
Im presuming you are on xp, to remove it just switch off your system restore  via start/programs/accessories/systemtools/system restore, reboot then reactivate  and those files will be gone .

[DavidR]

a. two firewalls:
- ZoneAlarm and Nvidia (which came with the Asus mainboard) - both are active. I have deactivated the Windows firewall tho'.

Two active firewalls, like two active resident anti-virus programs aren't advised. Even Microsoft recommends you disable the XP firewall if you install an other firewall. The same is true of your case of a motherboard firewall, unless it is acting only as a hardware firewall, no checking outbound connections, etc.

Take care that there isn't also an anti-virus with your Nvidia board as this has been reported in these forums as having caused a conflict with avast. It took some time to establish the problem as the person wasn't aware that they had another anti-virus installed.

[Thailand_for_YOU]

Cloussau,

this is not an active trojan as such but a copy captured in your system restore files.

Yes, my current OS is Win XP. I just assembled a new PC and installed it, so do not have much knowledge of the XP. When I get to the system restore window, there is no such "switch off". On the left pane - "sytem restore settings" link, and on the right pane - two options:
- Restore my  computer to an ealier time
- Create a restore point

I didn't use/utilize that function yet.
Please explain in more details, what should I do.


DavidR,

Yes, I'm aware of issues of compatibility running two active firewalls. But till now, there were no problems on my system. The Nvidia firewall is regarded as a hardware one, so I have to learn more on that subject.

There are so many icons on my taskbar near the clock that I'm not sure 100% yet of the Nvidia anti-virus. Hopefully, it isn't active, if installed at all. 


The main issue of this topic still remains unanswered, i.e. Avast freezes on virus detection!
What's wrong?

 

[DavidR]

The main issue of this topic still remains unanswered, i.e. Avast freezes on virus detection!
What's wrong?

This could be an indication of a conflict between two AVs as one tried to scan/deal with a virus, the other AV blocks this action, effectively locking/freezing the scan.

Whilst I can't state this for certain, it is a possibility and one that needs further investigation, e.g. is there another AV running, perhaps the Nvidia MB ?

Also useful as a diagnostic tool - Download HiJackThis.zip - HJT Information HiJackThis Tutorial 1 or HiJackThis Tutorial 2
For an on-line analysis - HiJackThis Log file - On-line Analysis OR HiJackThis Log file - On-line Analysis 2
Ignore any 023 reference to avast processes, this is a hiccup in the HJT 1.99.1 (especially missing file entry for avast), if you need any help with any of the analysis let us know.