Avast (Free) v5.1.x blocks AOL software from connecting

[DavidR]

Have a quick question,,I've installed another anti-virus program already and I can "turn" it off so to speak. I don't want to uninstall it until i find out if the disabling of the shields will temporaryly fix this,,,so my question is,,,can I re-install avast without uninstalling the other program and leave it off,,and if this temp fix works I'll just uninstall that other program. Thanks

I'm sure in your job you know you can't do things in half measure, it has to be all out or nothing.

You have to uninstall it, you can't just turn it off as it still loads low level drivers and that could conflict with avast, even possibly during installation and that would make it a pointless trial.

The official work around of uninstalling the Behaviour Shield is working for others, so that is the way I would go.

OK I am going to try it.....It worked. Please let me know what the investigation. Is it safe to keep that shield unistalled?

You have the opportunity to do a custom install of avast 5.1.889 and during that custom install you can uncheck the Behaviour Shield during the install and not need to do it after.

Download 5.1.889 before uninstalling the other AV, reboot and do a custom install of avast 5.1.889.

[TitaniumDust]

I can confirm that the workaround of uninstalling / not installing the behaviour shield with v5.1.889 works here, running Windows 7 x64.  I personally don't use AOL but the other two machines that do were able to log in successfully.  I have to assume everything else with AOL is fine, but I will report here if the AOL users report any trouble after re-installing build 889 without the behaviour shield.

[fire]

My very last question b 4 I try this,,can I just uncheck the behavior shields after I install avast using the interface? I don't know if I can do any changes using my control panel, if I read one of the posts correctly it says you use your control panel. I'm a computer novice so all of this is kinda hard for me. I have to go out,,will try to reinstall later on. I will also uninstall the MSE I installed prior to reinstalling avast and let everyone know how i made out.

[DavidR]

You have to follow the instruction as given there is no uninstall option within the avastUI.

You have posted in so many topics it is hard to keep track but I have posted an image of the add remove programs, change interface. http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=69664.msg585071#msg585071.

All you have to do is get into the control panel, I don't know what OS you are using as you haven't created a signature in your forum Profile. But if you use the windows Help and Support, search for Control Panel or Add Remove Programs and that should point you in the right direction.

You should be able to access it from windows explorer as there is usually a link to the Control Panel, see image.

[fire]

Wow good results,,did as advised and can get on AOL but could someone tell me what "behavior shields" are and when this gets fixed is it an easy thing to reinstall that component. I'm sorry I have so many posts but when it comes to computer problems I get really worried about how to fix things as I'm a real novice. Thanks

[YoKenny]

I'm sorry I have so many posts but when it comes to computer problems I can really worried about how to fix things as I'm a real novice. Thanks

Please use Show new replies to your posts.

That's right below MY MESSAGES LOGOUT

I don't know what OS you are using as you haven't created a signature in your forum Profile

It would help if you added a signature with system information.

[DavidR]

The behaviour shield is looking out for strange/unusual behaviour.

- avast! Behaviour Shield, general information from an interview Softpedia - Ondrej Vlcek

Ondrej Vlcek: The Behaviour Shield that we shipped in version 5.0 is a new component that is going to be further developed moving forward. For example, in version 5.1, we will be adding more sensors that will allow for even finer-grain filtering.

For now, the Behaviour Shield is focused on exploits coming via typical mechanisms (browser, PDF reader, and flash vulnerabilities, for example). It also closely monitors all kernel-mode code (drivers) loaded into the operating system, and is able to detect zero-day rootkits.

Also see, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=68607.0:

If you set it to Ask, it will alert you a suspicious behaviour is detected, with the ability to take actions accordingly.

As I already said in one of the other threads:
The Behaviour Shield works only in "passive mode", which means that the new sensors will be active but won't be stopping the attacks, just reporting them to our backend infrastructure (unless you have opted out from the avast! community membership). This is to allow us to collect enough data before enabling the protective layers in Q1 2011.

Thanks
Vlk

Reinstalling is simply the reverse of what I said earlier in my last post, Reply #33 above.

[ShaneTalbot]

Reporting back - Uninstalling the behavior shield has proven successful. Disabling it - not so much.

Our engineers have been working closely with Avast engineers and it's sounding like good progress is being made. So hang in there!

Shane

[Globalpilot]

David

Had the same problem with Avast blocking my AOL connection after the latest software update. After several calls to TS (And Avast agents denied it was a problem with the Avast software) and losing half a days work with no resolution I found your info.

By your advise I uninstalled Avast and AOL.   Reinstalled AOL without Avast and program returned to normal.

I reinstalled Avast Internet Security without the Behavior shields and rebooted computer.

AOL functions normal now with both programs installed minus the behavior shields.

Running windows 7 (64 Bit)

Hopefully you can resolve this situation and release a patch or a software update soon.

Thanks

[DavidR]

You're welcome, hopefully it will soon be resolved.

[Vlk]

Hi guys,

the problem should supposedly be fixed by the virus definition update 110120-0 released about 12 hours ago (unless you have changed the avast update settings, you will receive [or already have received] this update automatically).

Anyone experiencing the problem, can you please confirm?

BTW please note that it may take one more reboot after the update is installed to actually resolve the problem.


Many thanks for your patience.
Vlk

[fire]

Vlk,,, is it really necessary to reinstall the behavior shield,,and if so,,how do you install just that,,please understand I'm a computer novice and don't have alot of experience with this type stuff,,,thanks. If the shield isn't completely necessary I don't want to screw anything up .

[DavidR]

Yes you should as it will become another useful shield, currently it is passive, gathering data to fine tune its rules/filters before going active in this quarter. The reversal of the process can be done relatively easily as I said before in one of your other topics.

Control Panel, Add remove programs, Avast, Change/Remove, Change and reselect the Behaviour shield, click Next and OK your way out.

[fire]

Thanks,,I think I'll wait to reinstall until I read others that have and haven't experienced the same problem.

[YoKenny]

Thanks,,I think I'll wait to reinstall until I read others that have and haven't experienced the same problem.

I see that 110120-2 update is available now and according to Vlk Posted on: Today at 09:03:08 the issue should be resolved after a reboot.