"scripts" Firefox and then Avast Pro

[Knot2Brite]

Hello,

I just learned that the " scripts blocking" module (?) does not operate when I am using Firefox and the add-in NoScript. While I am unclear on what a "script" is I am even less clear whether it is just Firefox or Firefox and NoScript but that is not important as I always run NoScript.

what I would like to know is assuming I always use Firefox, are there any situations where I would be glad that I had script blocking enabled in Avast.

Do scripts come from sources other than what Firefox accesses?

I recognize the term JavaScript but are there other forms of "script" that might carry malware onto my machine.

Outlook has a list of attachments (bat, xls, doc, etc) which it blocks so I assume some of the files on this list could be "carriers." If I were to attempt to download a freeware utility that contained a script would the avast script blocker function when I attempted to open the file?

Thank you

[DavidR]

The avast script blocker is a) only available in the Pro version, which I presume you have, b) only works with certain browsers and firefox isn't one.

A script, is a term for a piece of code that executes a function (a small program), that can be many different things, javascript, JAVA, Visual Basic, etc. an on a supported browser (Netscape, Mozilla not firefox and IE) that avast script blocker would first intercept the script and examine it for malicious content.

By Outlook you don't confirm if this is Outlook Express or MS Outlook two entirely different email clients.

Outlook Express uses this draconian, read crazy, measure to supposedly protect the user from potential viruses, it doesn't scan just blocks because these file types could be infected, not that they are infected.

A batch file (.bat) is just a text file (that can be run), which contains a number of commands designed to carry out a task. Whilst not technically a script, it can run commands that are scripts. The .xls and .doc files of Word and Excel can have Macros to do functions within the document and macros can be malicious also.

[Knot2Brite]

thank you! So often the answers to my questions are so confusing I am worse off than when I began. Not in this case, you translate computer into English very well

As I read your answer I took that the only way I could become infected from a script (ignoring memory sticks and strange CDs) was from the Internet. Since Firefox has this heavyweight script killer and it is the only browser I use, I assume I am safe.

I use the Outlook 2003 which is part of the office professional along with Word and Excel. I only download attachments in the PDF format.

If I were to download a zip file that was contaminated:
    would the script blocker fire off?
    are there certain file extensions i.e. jpg exe pdf are about the only ones I know) that might yell out to be careful or don't open this sucker?

I am not adventurous, I don't visit the social websites, I don't visit Paul's Palace of Porn so probably I am not at great risk but if I am even a little smarter, which thanks to you I am, I will be safer.

Again,  Thank You

[DavidR]

The script blocker wouldn't bat an eyelid as a .zip file isn't a script, but a compressed archive containing other files, which mat be script files. The script blocker it intercepting scripts that are 'run' not simply present in file form, they obviously have to be run in a supported browser as I said.

However, the web shield would scan the contents of a .zip file being downloaded over port 80 (http, web pages) and that applies to many common browsers, not just three. All traffic coming through the normal http port 80 is filtered by the web shield and scanned, so you have other protection there too.

An Archive (zip, rar, etc.) file/s are by their nature are inert, you need to extract the files and then you have to run them to be a threat. Long before that happens avast's Standard Shield should have scanned them and before an executable is run that is scanned. 

[Knot2Brite]

thank you again

[DavidR]

You're welcome.