Avast 5 WebShield slowing down your web surfing?

[mkis]

My upload speed is comparatively good on world standards. I use speedtest as my measure cause is handy. I do get good upload, but I'm always looking at the download speed. My ISP tells me this is good as it gets. Cable is meant to be fast but only download no upload here except in a few places (guess - might be more).

[scjr]

Also, if you are experiencing the issues, does it make any difference if you open the avast UI, navigate to Real-time Shields, Web Shield and uncheck the "Scan web (HTTP) traffic" box?


Cheers
Vlk

Vlk,


I can keep the "Scan web (HTTP) traffic" box checked.

I uncheck "Use intelligent stream scanning" under "Expert Settings" and my speeds go back to normal.

If that is selected, I lose plenty of bandwidth.

Windows 7 and AVAST 5.0.462.


All the best,

scjr

[RedFan]

I see no difference in speed when using "Use intelligent stream scanning" under "Expert Settings" or not .....

[mkis]

 I can see where could get that scjr - but I'm not expert on avast Settings
- there may be conflict in channel, perhaps MS background intelligent Service

and same situation with Redfan, not necessarily will there be conflict - can still be smooth running

[scjr]

I can see where could get that scjr - but I'm not expert on avast Settings
- there may be conflict in channel, perhaps MS background intelligent Service

and same situation with Redfan, not necessarily will there be conflict - can still be smooth running

Thank you mkis.

After further testing, it seems speed tests that use flash are affected?

I can never get a reading of more than 10-14 Mbps download here (I can if intelligent scanning is disabled): http://speedtest.comcast.net/
Interestingly enough, upload comes out fine at that same page.

I consistently get a reading of 23-25 Mbps download here: http://ndt.iupui.atl01.measurement-lab.org:7123/
This site uses JAVA. Upload is fine here as well.

When I download Avast Free as a test from CNET, my download speed is perfectly fine.

All these tests were done with Web Shield enabled and intelligent scanning enabled.

Conclusion. It seems everything is fine download speed wise.


I really enjoy Avast. Thank you so much.


All the best,


scjr

 

[mkis]

I get some interesting readings on yr NDT despite being half a world away from their servers

http://ndt.iupui.atl01.measurement-lab.org:7123

might keep testing with it to see how we go - here in New Zealand (downunder)

results are much same readings as per my post above - and note that does fluctuate cos of wireless connect
- but I also add that it seems to be speeds more equable now between web shield on and off
- with show some lag with run of http scanning (seemingly)

And still fluctuating readings cos of wireless
- so I have avoided explain by stating any kind of standard rule outside the obvious.

btw are you on cable scjr?

And also - MS background Intelligent is needed for auto updates, etc...from what I gather, so the Service cannot really be stopped. I'm not sure about the avast 5 Setting, what is involved with that setting. I would imagine some heuristic as well, so as I say above, I can see some potential for conflict in the channels.

[scjr]

btw are you on cable scjr?

mkis,


I am.

I dumped Avira because it was buggy as all heck and I couldn't handle that pop-up advertisement.  

I think Avast is great and look forward to the next release. I'm sure they'll continue tweaking the Web Shield module of the program.


All the best,

scjr

[lemonade]

Hi, I just updated to avast 5.0.462. Not sure which version I had before but I updated regularly so I assume it was the latest although the skin changed from blue to orange.

As soon as I updated, I have not been able to access any pages on any browser (tried on IE, FF, Chrome) except https (google mail worked). I had to turn off Web Shield just to get to this forum. As soon as I turn off Web Shield, I can access the internet. It is only as of the latest update that this has happened, I have never had a problem with avast in the past and I have been using it quite a long time.

I am running Windows Vista 64bit SP2, 4gb RAM, AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5400+. I also use Vista Firewall Control instead of the normal Vista firewall. I really would like to keep Web Shield on, but I can't as I need the internet constantly for work purposes, so I've been limiting browsing.

[DavidR]

As is mentioned many times in this topic the most common cause for this is firewall blocking.

However, unless you have enabled the outbound protection of the Vista firewall (disabled by default) that shouldn't be the cause. But you need to ensure that the Vista Firewall Control allows avast access to the internet.

Does it allow avastSvc.exe internet access ?
- If it does delete the entry for it and reconnect to the internet, this should force the firewall to ask permission again.

[Yezinki]

Hi should I uncheck All 3 Avast Settings> Web Shield> i.e. 1. Scan Web Traffic>  Expert Settings> 2. Enable Web scanning & 3. Use intelligent stream scanning. At the moment have the first 2 unchecked & 3rd checked?

Thanks!

[DavidR]

Why would you want to do that ?
The third is immaterial if you have disabled web scanning so it doesn't matter what it is set to it will have no effect as the intelligent stream scanning obviously relates to the web shield scanning content and you have effectively disabled it.

Why have you disabled what is probably the most important avast shield ?

If you are going to do that you might as well get rid of it completely.

[Yezinki]

Thanks DavidR........ is it fine now?

Regards!

[DavidR]

Well its not fine really as you have disabled the "Enable Web scanning" option and that will be reflected in the Main Real-time Web Shield page (your first image from before).

Whilst that shows the web shield is running, it isn't doing anything it isn't scanning.

[Yezinki]

Thanks again......but I’d rather go e out web shield since it slows both download & upload by approx 200-300 megabits.

[DavidR]

Thanks again......but I’d rather go e out web shield since it slows both download & upload by approx 200-300 megabits.

Why not try a clean install of the latest pre-release version, 5.0.499, see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=58183.0 and see if that makes any difference.