Author Topic: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed  (Read 18544 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline RAPAvast

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« on: April 22, 2009, 09:31:14 PM »
Switched from AVG to Avast because AVG slowed down my PC ... now Avast Web Shield seems to cause slow internet download speed. (Though Avast - on their website - say " ... impact on browsing speed is almost negligible.)

I have ZoneAlarm firewall and scan with Spybot/AdAware regularly... is web shield necessary?

Using the RoadRunner speed test (realize not scientific measurements):
With ZA and all Avast shields .... speed range is 1700-4000 KBPS (realize its 'other' traffic dependent)
without ZA, with Avast shields ... range is basically the same
with ZA, w/o Avast Web Shield .. range is 8000 - 9900 KBPS

I didn't try all the combinations of 'customized' settings for the Web Shield... is there something that affects the speed?

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88895
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2009, 10:26:23 PM »
It is virtually negligible and I'm on dial-up and see no real impact at all.

So I would say you have something else going on there than simply avast's web shield.

Many on broadband have posted their test results and in a few cases there is an increase (which seems very strange) but for the majority there is no appreciable difference.

With the lates slew of web sites being hacked you only need look through the viruses and worms forum to see just how effective the web shield is in combating this threat.

I would suggest that you run the AVG8 Remover to ensure all possible remnants are gone, download the tool from here, http://www.grisoft.com/ww.download-tools there is a 32bit and 64 bit windows version, ensure you use the correct one.

What is your OS ?
What version of ZA free or Pro ?
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 RAPAvast

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2009, 10:46:10 PM »
Thanks for your response.

OS: Windows XP Home, SP2

ZoneAlarm version:8.0.298.000  FREE version

TrueVector version:8.0.298.000
Driver version:8.0.298.000

Downloaded AVG removal and ran it ... results went by so fast I couldn't catch the bottom line. When uninstalled AVG (a few weeks ago) I ran HJT to look for any remnants of AVG left ... didn't see any.

I''ll perform the speed tests again to see if the newest removal made any difference .... what about uninstalling Avast and then reinstalling?
« Last Edit: April 22, 2009, 10:57:57 PM by RAPAvast »

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88895
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2009, 11:02:39 PM »
There was an issue at one point with slow communications in ZA with Vista a while back I just wondered if it might have been that.

I would suggest you update to SP3, its been out 9 months now so I think the wrinkles have been ironed out.
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 RAPAvast

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2009, 11:20:04 PM »
OK - so maybe there was something left from AVG ... ran 'speed tests' again but not at all sure of results ... everything seems to be slower - probably result of time of day here in the East (i.e. people getting home from work & using the internet).

Tests now seem to say that get same results with and w/o web shield ... hope it's true because would like to use the web shield. ((6750 KBPS and 6840 KBPS respectively)

I'll run 'tests' again later tonight to try and be sure.

Been toying with installing SP3 but even after 9 mos am leary.

Mr.Agent

  • Guest
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2009, 11:35:51 PM »
Its strange because me i never had problem with mine :)

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88895
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2009, 12:07:28 AM »
Tests now seem to say that get same results with and w/o web shield ... hope it's true because would like to use the web shield. ((6750 KBPS and 6840 KBPS respectively)
<snip>
Been toying with installing SP3 but even after 9 mos am leary.

That is more like the results found with other avast users.

Stop toying with it there are security implications in not doing it and that could outweigh any limited uneasiness to install it.
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 RAPAvast

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2009, 07:06:03 AM »
Must be lots of neighbors using internet tonight ... am on RR

ran several tests in 1/2 hour (ran each 5 times-took average): (definitely not scientific)

ZA and Avast Web Shield  .... ~3633 BKPS
NO ZA and Avast w/No Web Shield  .... ~7223
ZA and Avast w/NO Web Shield  .... ~6641
NO ZA and Avast Web Shield  .... ~3882
NO ZA and NO Avast   .... ~9739

Results are still a little flakey

Obviously, if I wanted the fastest w/o ANY security - I'd turn botn ZA and AVAST off - unreasionable though

ZA definitely slows comm down but web shield seems to slow it down more

Any suggestions?

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88895
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2009, 03:21:52 PM »
When you have something that slows comms adding another element to it may just compound the fact. You didn't confirm if you are using the Pro version of ZA as that too can add further complications ?

Me I'm not a fan of ZA, but there are many that are and they don't report this problem, so I'm unable to suggest a fix as I don't use ZA and haven't done for over six years.
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 RAPAvast

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2009, 07:14:43 PM »
I am using the free - Basic - version of ZA (I modified my reply [when I indicated the version]) but I suspect you had already read it.

Do you have any suggestions of which free firewall is best (better)? I'm not locked into ZA.

Don't completely  understand your statement:
Quote
When you have something that slows comms adding another element to it may just compound the fact.
... Without ZA and with Web Shield was slower than without both.

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88895
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2009, 07:34:29 PM »
- There are many freeware firewalls such as, Comodo (care required now it is a suite not to install the anti-virus element), PCTools Firewall Plus, Online Armor, etc.

See A Forum discussion on free firewalls http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30808.0
See http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php.
Many forum users are using all of the above:
PC Tools Firewall seems to have the least user headaches as it doesn't seem to be constantly asking the user questions about this and that.
Online Armor for the most parts fine but it has caused some users grief after avast program updates and that is something you have to watch out for.
Comodo is now a suite and you have to do a custom install so as not to install the antivirus element, of all the firewalls listed this seems to be the noisiest in asking questions, depending on settings and elements used, so it could be daunting for those not to familiar with firewalls or their systems.
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 RAPAvast

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2009, 07:43:05 PM »
Thank you .... I'll try PCTools Firewall Plus as soon as I can and then update this topic.

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88895
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2009, 07:44:52 PM »
You're welcome, good luck.
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 RAPAvast

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2009, 07:50:09 PM »
Just thought .. can search but its easier to ask ... is the win add/rem process sufficient to remove ZA? Or is there a remove program that's better?

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88895
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Avast Web Shield Seems To Slow Down Internet Speed
« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2009, 08:51:56 PM »
I believe so, I haven't heard of occasions in the forum about it leaving any remnants.
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