Avast on Win XP changes the Start Programs Menu ?

[elsyd]

I installed the AVAST Anti-Virus Program on my Windows Xp System and Noticed right away that it #1. Changed my Internet Home Page.
#2. It made changes to my Start Programs, ie: My MSN Instant Chat ~ no longer starts upon bootup ?
#3. I now have a Small section of My programs Menu displayed when I go there with and arrow to expand to see other Program Items ?
#4. It made changes to My Internet Providers POP & SMTP lines.

 Why did it do all this ?

[Vlk]

elsyd,

except for #4, it's quite unlikely that avast actually did that. Really, avast doesn't do anything like you're describing.

As for #4, this is how the Internet Mail protection works. It changes the mail servers to 127.0.0.1, which is in fact the machine itself, and routes the mail messages through its mini-servers (SMTP, POP3, IMAP4).

Vlk

[elsyd]

Well, My System wasn't messed up before I downloaded & Installed the Avast program, then all this weird stuff happened,  I do have a Firewall ~But, It was turned off before I downloaded & Installed the program, and there wasn't any other Anti-Virus program on my system !,   SO ~ I am really confused as to why ? what happened ~ DID ?
As to the program resetting my Home Page and changing my POP & SMTP,   it didn't allow me to go to my Internet Site which is Road Runner,  You are telling me that AVAST does change the POP & SMTP settings on purpose.  Well OK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lisandro]

Sorry elsyd but, except for the #4 (which is necessary for the antivirus), avast would not do anything to your system. I work with ZoneAlarm and Sygate Personal Firewall and did not find any trouble... If you want, SpyBot (ftp://ftp.download.com/pub/win95/internet/spybotsd12.exe) can avoid the change of IE User Home Page (see at Immunize Menu Options).
I´m a full filled user of avast.