Webshield prevents Internet browsing

[astral]

  I just installed Avast home edtion, and I cannot use my browsers, Firefow or IE, and this on two different computers! I think there is a problem with this component, so for the time being, I desactivated it, but am I safe with webshield off?

[DavidR]

This looks like your firewall (what is it ?) blocking ashWebSv.exe (the Web Shield), ensure it has access.

Even with web shield disabled, standard shield should provide a fall back option, if you have it on High, scan al Newly created or modified files. The Web Shield scans content before it is saved to your HDD, standard shield can only do so when it is on the HDD.

[Lisandro]

FAQ about WebShield
http://avast.com/eng/faq-home-webshield.html
http://www.avast.com/eng/webshield_issues.html#idt_6874

Did you allow ashWebSv.exe to connect the Internet into your firewall settings?
If you disable the Web Shield provider (into avast On-access providers settings) will you be allowed to connect the Internet?

[astral]

I use XP SP2 firewall. Yes when I disable the webshield, I have full Internet access. Adding the webshield in the firewall exceptions does not change anything, which is very puzzling!

[DavidR]

XP's firewall doesn't provide outbound protection, so I would advise a firewall that does offer this protection. Have you rebooted since adding to XP firewall, although I can't see how it would block the web shield.

Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.

- Zone Alarm free http://www.zonelabs.com works fine with avast and has a reasonably friendly user interface. There are others, Comodo, Jetico, Sunbelt Kerio, etc.
See some firewall tests for comparison, some are freeware but many are paid for versions http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.php.

Have (or did) you have another AV installed in this system, if so what and how did you get rid of it ?
What Operating System are you using ?

[Lisandro]

What Operating System are you using ?

XP SP2 he said...
Maybe he's using an annonimizer or any other proxy application?

[DavidR]

Another c-nile virus victim, I even mentioned his OS in my reply, cut and paste hiccup