Its march ... there's been no active posts on this topic from someone in the Avast/Awil team in a while ... I've had this problem and am also looking for a solution.
I have noticed one other thing, I use the URL filter and have had this problem occur on XP pro SP3, though not as frequently as its been on a CLEAN install of Vista Business sp1+
I run Zonealarm Pro, on my machines, Privacy options (Cookie, Ad, Mobile code) are
ALL turned off (never used and *I* have always defaulted them to off on my installs)
Problems with the "restart webshield" comments people have made ... I have an alarm site that monitors several processes and updates every 60 seconds. When this problem with Webshield happens, it means I'm not getting updates in my browser, and hence if I decide to nap or actually take time to sleep ... that this web shield problem could mean that I would miss an alarm.
I have decided I will have to turn off the web shield when I need to sleep so that I can catch alarms, but I would much rather the issue be fixed.
Reasons why this issue may not be seen by everyone..
- how many people really use their pc's 24/7 or nearly that way? (suggesting that maybe this is somehow related to the network stack and more browsing might cause this to happen faster to some than others)
- how many just "reboot" without looking to figure out what is going on?
- is this problem only with people who use Zonealarm (free or pro)?
Each of those questions further reduce the number of possible complaints ... but the fact that there are enough people having exactly the same problem, and with exactly same temporary solution (restart web shield) that suggests if more people were using their pc's the same way, they'd see the problem and then might be looking for a resolution.
There is only *one* other issue I've seen that is outside this with regards to IE or Firefox, which points to some sort of web oddity. I like to frequent a Daily Sudoku site.. and within the past 2 months have found that I can no longer use the site with Internet Explorer ... this because while trying to play the game with cursor keys, I find that through IE there is a 1 to 5 second lag for the onscreen game to respond to my keypress. I go to the exact same site through Firefox and there is no delay. The website says they believe this is an issue with IE and java, which they laughingly say shouldn't be used together.
System info:
1 - self built AMD X2 (939 socket not AM2) 2 gigs ram, onboard ether, SB Audigy, Windows XP Pro sp3 +all microsoft updates, Zonealarm Pro (current), Spybot Search & Destroy w/Teatimer, office 2003,
1 - HP laptop intel dual core, intially windows vista home premium - reloaded with Vista Business, SP1 +all windows updates, office 2007, zone alarm pro (current), spybot w/teatimer
At no time have "trialware" applications been installed and then removed (ie. exception for something like Avast which then gets registered with the key and becomes valid for 14 months, etc ... but avast has never been removed)
I have not timed the issue to see if the problem with Vista shows at exactly 4 hours, nor have I counted the number of websites or other links I've followed, to see if either of these corresponds to something like the 4 hour update window of Avast.
Help!!??