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@ DavidR: my OS is WinXP SP2, the firewall is active and fully working - afaik.
I've just ran the avast update option and it still goes on displaying stuff like "confirm file: C:\.vbs" (btw, "confirm file" is my translation of the Italian string "conferma file:") also it still goes on connecting to those adult sites - btw, shall I remark the domain of that website here or somewhere else? it is always the same domain and the same addresses.
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Whilst the windows XP firewall is usually good at keeping your ports stealthed (hidden) it provides no outbound protection and you should consider a third party firewall.
Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.
- 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 and recently released, Outpost Firewall free 6.5 (2009)
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 (or use the add remove programs to remove the AV element if already installed), 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.
- Outpost Firewall 2009 free, a cut down version of the Outpost Firewall Pro version, which should still provide good protection,
http://free.agnitum.com/. Download,
http://www.filehippo.com/download_outpost_firewall/I'm not convinced a clean reinstall of avast will make the slightest difference, I would be happy to be proven wrong though.