Author Topic: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring  (Read 9007 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Chrispy5

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Hi All,

I have been having BSODs for quite a while, that sometimes indicated aswArPot.sys as the source of the problem.

I saw the following thread:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=220526.msg1547120#lastPost

The suggestion from @gmer was to turn off anti-rootkit monitoring in Avast Free Antivirus.
I tried this and I have stopped getting the BSODs.
Now I'm wondering how exposed this leaves me.

I also have Checkpoint ZoneAlarm Free Firewall installed (sometimes the BSODs had ZoneAlarm drivers as the cause) and wondered if that could be clashing with Avast. Both Avast and ZoneAlarm are up to date.

Situation:
Avast Free Anti-Virus (20.3.2405 build 20.3.5200.561) with anti-rootkit disabled.
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall (version: 15.6.121.18102).

The question is: Am I secure without the anti-rootkit monitoring and if not, is there a way to resolve this situation? And is it wise to have these 2 applications installed together?

Thanks for any help.

Offline schmidthouse

  • VIRUS FREE A Long Time
  • Avast Evangelist
  • Starting Graphoman
  • ***
  • Posts: 7170
  • When you think you know, Think Again
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2020, 06:33:46 PM »
You don't mention what OS you are running.

Offline Chrispy5

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2020, 03:10:16 PM »
Windows 10 Pro 1909 64bit.
OS Build: 18363.836

Computer: Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB.

Thanks
« Last Edit: May 25, 2020, 03:17:56 PM by Chrispy5 »

Offline schmidthouse

  • VIRUS FREE A Long Time
  • Avast Evangelist
  • Starting Graphoman
  • ***
  • Posts: 7170
  • When you think you know, Think Again
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2020, 01:32:57 AM »
I only offer my personal opinion and may differ from others.
Over the years I have found and come to believe that ZoneAlarm can cause issues with other Security Software including Avast.
I personally would uninstall ZoneAlarm (Using the venders 'Removal Tool') and use the Windows 10 built-in Firewall which is very good.
See if that stops the Bsods.

Offline Chrispy5

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2020, 10:45:22 PM »
I would appreciate any suggestions for another free Firewall that is relatively easy to use.
I don't use the built in Firewall for the same reason I don't use MS Defender as a free Antivirus.

I was 22 days without a BSOD and then got one today citing aswarpot.sys as the cause  :(

Offline Claudiu7

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 64
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2020, 11:28:47 PM »
I don't use the built in Firewall for the same reason I don't use MS Defender as a free Antivirus.

Cannot be the same reason as these two are totally different products, one is a firewall and one is an antivirus.

If you are afraid of MS spying on you, well... is already happening as you are using Win10.

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88900
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2020, 11:36:03 PM »
I don't use the built in Firewall for the same reason I don't use MS Defender as a free Antivirus.

Cannot be the same reason as these two are totally different products, one is a firewall and one is an antivirus.

If you are afraid of MS spying on you, well... is already happening as you are using Win10.

I have been using the Win10 firewall from the time I purchased my win10 Home 64bit laptop and I have found no issues with it.  I believe bob3160 uses it on all/most of his win10 systems and I haven't seen him report any issues.  Its almost enable it and forget it, let it get on with it, unless you have any exotic firewall requirements.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2020, 11:39:00 PM by DavidR »
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline Chrispy5

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2020, 09:25:30 PM »
OK, I'll give it a go and post back with results

I like ZoneAlarm because it's easy and protects you against malicious programmes trying to access the internet from your PC. MS Firewall doesn't do that.

Thanks for your help.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2020, 03:17:05 PM by Chrispy5 »

Offline Chrispy5

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2020, 07:12:03 PM »
OK so far so good.

Can anyone tell me if GlassWire Free Firewall has any incompatibilities with Avast?
« Last Edit: June 09, 2020, 07:18:39 PM by Chrispy5 »

Offline Asyn

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 76037
    • >>>  Avast Forum - Deutschsprachiger Bereich  <<<
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2020, 01:50:50 PM »
Can anyone tell me if GlassWire Free Firewall has any incompatibilities with Avast?
Afaik, no.
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

Offline Chrispy5

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2020, 03:56:56 PM »
OK, so far, no more BSODs. It seems that Avast and ZoneAlarm don't play well together!

Thanks for all the help given, especially to @schmidthouse, who suggested the Avast/Windows Firewall combo.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2020, 04:04:56 PM by Chrispy5 »