Avast & Windows98se Query...

[Thunderbun]

I saw an interesting sentence on one of the Support pages:

"If you are using Windows 95/98/ME. Web Shield's transparent proxy only works under NT-based operating system."

What precisely does this mean?

I don't think I have an NT-based operating system. I just run Win98SE. Does this mean I can't use the Web Shield transparent proxy?

Also -- and I just installed the program -- how do I tell whether it's working? It doesn't seem to be scanning my e-mail (Thunderbird).

Thanks for your help.

Thunderbun

[Lisandro]

You have to manually configure browser to access Internet using avast! WebShield if you have Windows 98\Me. For 2k\XP\Vista it's automatic and transparent.

To manually configure your browser see the following tutorials:

For IE and permanent connection users:
http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ieproxy.htm

For IE and dial-up users:
http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ieproxy_dialup.htm

For Firefox users:
http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ffproxy.htm

[Lisandro]

Also -- and I just installed the program -- how do I tell whether it's working? It doesn't seem to be scanning my e-mail (Thunderbird).

With 98\Me:

1. Configure your email accounts to work without the antivirus and test them.
2. If everything is fine, close all your email clients (programs).
3. Start Menu > All programs > avast antivirus > Mail Protection Wizard
4. Follow the non Outlook/Exchange option (i.e., the second one).
    You can choose the supported email programs and select all the accounts
    (even the ones created in the future).
5. Configure your email accounts to use avast! as antivirus.

[Thunderbun]

"5. Configure your email accounts to use avast! as antivirus."

Do I use the usual (default) setting, or do I use 127.0.0.1?

Thanks.

Thunderbun

[Lisandro]

Do I use the usual (default) setting, or do I use 127.0.0.1?

avast will make this change automatically, won't it?

[Thunderbun]

"avast will make this change automatically, won't it?"

I don't know. Where would I see that?

How do I tell whether I'm configured correctly for both Firefox and Thunderbird?

And how can I tell whether Avast! is working?

Thanks for your help.

Thunderbun

[Lisandro]

"avast will make this change automatically, won't it?"
I don't know. Where would I see that?

Sorry, it was a rhetorical question. I'm saying that avast Mail Protection Wizard will do it.

And how can I tell whether Avast! is working?

To see if avast! is scanning emails, check one of these points:

1) Is the avast icon (the special one of email scanning) be shown in the system tray?

2) Is your email header with the lines X-Antivirus: avast! (VPS XXXXXX-X, XX/XX/2008), Inbound message and X-Antivirus-Status: Clean? (Right click the message, choose Properties and Details)

3) Are clean notes added at the bottom of the email? (Internet Mail provider settings)

You can test the security of your email system here: http://www.gfi.com/emailsecuritytest/

[Thunderbun]

I appreciate your help, Tech, but I understood very little of your message.

"avast will make this change automatically, won't it?"
I don't know. Where would I see that?
Sorry, it was a rhetorical question. I'm saying that avast Mail Protection Wizard will do it.

Well, I can't tell whether Mail Protection Wizard is doing it or not. [I have Windows98SE, remember, and I use Thunderbird.] I ran it again and restored my original POPD and SMTP settings, and I still can't tell whether anything is happening.

1) Is the avast icon (the special one of email scanning) be shown in the system tray?

Which icon are you describing? I have two icons in my system tray: The i icon [Virus Recovery Database Generator] and the a icon [On-Access Scanner: 6 provider(s) total, 5 running]. What does the latter mean, anyway -- should I have 6 running? I have yet to see any other avast! icons in the tray.

2) Is your email header with the lines X-Antivirus: avast! (VPS XXXXXX-X, XX/XX/2008), Inbound message and X-Antivirus-Status: Clean? (Right click the message, choose Properties and Details)

No header, and no "Properties and Details" when I right click on a message.

3) Are clean notes added at the bottom of the email? (Internet Mail provider settings)

Nothing at the bottom of an e-mail at all.

Thanks for your help, but I am perplexed.

Thunderbun

[alanrf]

If you restore your email settings in Thunderbird then you are choosing to undo what avast needs to achieve for you. 

You have a simple choice - you can trust avast to make the changes or you do not.  If you do not trust avast then it may be better for you to find a different product.  However, since you are using an outdated operating system, you may find those choices limited.

You admit you understand little of this - you can be guided by the excellent advice of Tech or you can fumble your way to problems.

Thunderbird is nothing special here (I use it too - as do all the folks I support).  Tech and others are here to help you.  The avast wizard can help you too.  If you need further explanation of what is happening Tech and others will try to help you - but undoing the work of avast is not the best way. 

We can also help you to see if the changes are working.  Let's take it a step at a time and I hope you will see as we go.

[Thunderbun]

undoing the work of avast is not the best way.

I beg your pardon.

All I did -- after some hours during which there was no evidence that e-mail was being scanned -- was re-run the Mail Protection Wizard. When the Wizard asked for SMTP and POPD settings this time, I entered my usual SMTP and POPD settings -- which were in fact the default settings originally suggested by the Wizard. I had previously entered 127.0.0.1.

There is still no evidence that e-mail is being scanned.

Thanks.

Thunderbun

[alanrf]

You have no need to beg my pardon.

What were you expecting to see in terms of avast scanning your mail?

We have not established that, even with the avast Wizard working, your mail can be scanned by avast.

Please divulge nothing of your personal email userid but what are the POP/SMTP ports your email account uses in Thunderbird and what are the security settings for the POP and SMTP connections?

[ace2701]

I have w98se and took the test.  It either showed no attachment to open, or if there
was one, and I opened it, the computer screamed to high heaven.  I now have total
faith in Avast.