Newie ??? Can't Figure This Out

[MtNancy]

Hi,
I am new user with Avast.  I can't figure out this email thing.  Before the updated version, all worked fine.  Now, I can't tell if my email is being scanned or not.  I don't think so because I see emails coming through that used to be detected as containing viruses. :'(

I use Windows ME, Sygate, & Outlook Express.

Can someone tell me in layman's terms what I should check for?

I have read this forum for an hour, and to me, it just goes round and round and I can't figure out the answer I need.

Thanks,
MtNancy

[peterfu]

Hi MtNancy,
to check if Avast is scanning Your mails send a mail to Yourself and afetr receiving check the headers of the mail. You should find there following lines:
X-Antivirus: avast! (VPS 0447-1, 19.11.2004), Outbound message
X-Antivirus-Status: Clean
X-Antivirus: avast! (VPS 0447-1, 19.11.2004), Inbound message
X-Antivirus-Status: Clean
 
If You don't know hoe to see the Headers in OE:
- Open the mail
- goto File -> Properties
- select the Tab Details
now You should see all the Headers

The above Headers are most probably the last lines of the headers.

br
Peter

[MtNancy]

Hi,
Nope, I looked on the email I received from this forum notifying me of an answer to my question.  Here is what my email has under Properties:
Return-Path: <apache@rs03.avast.com>
Delivered-To: nanc@3rivers.net
Received: (qmail 80910 invoked by uid 89); 21 Nov 2004 07:15:42 -0000
Received: from unknown (HELO psmtp.com) (64.18.1.111)
  by golem.vnet-inc.com with SMTP; 21 Nov 2004 07:15:42 -0000
Received: from source ([67.15.62.22]) by exprod6mx119.postini.com ([64.18.5.10]) with SMTP;
   Sat, 20 Nov 2004 23:15:40 PST
Received: from rs03.avast.com (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1])
   by rs03.avast.com (8.12.11/8.12.11) with ESMTP id iAL7FVwL026078
   for <nanc@3rivers.net>; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 08:15:35 +0100
Received: (from apache@localhost)
   by rs03.avast.com (8.12.11/8.12.11/Submit) id iAL7FSLN026075;
   Sun, 21 Nov 2004 08:15:28 +0100
Message-Id: <200411210715.iAL7FSLN026075@rs03.avast.com>
To: nanc@3rivers.net
Subject: Topic reply: Re:Newie  Can't Figure This Out
From: "ALWIL Software Forums" <webadmin@asw.cz>
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 07:15:28 +0000
X-pstn-levels:     (S:16.02064/99.80483 R:95.9108 P:95.9108 M:94.8624 C:98.9754 )
X-pstn-settings: 5 (2.0000:2.0000) s gt3 gt2 gt1 r p m c
X-pstn-addresses: from <webadmin@asw.cz> [3847/148]

Nothing here about any Virus Protection.  And, I sent an email to myself with the same results, nothing listed as far as virus protection.

Any suggestions?

MtNancy

[peterfu]

Hi MtNancy,
First question : is Avast active- do You see the Blue ball of Avast ?
Second question : how is Your E-Mail Client configured ? What do You see in Accounts ? Before starting the Mail Wizzard it should be configured as if Avast was not there - so the server for POP and SMTP should be as Your ISP has given it to You.

Then start the Mail Wizzard - Start -> Programs -> Avast! Antivirus -> Mail Wizzard (OE should not run).

After finishing the configuration with Mail Wizzard, start OE and the settings in the Accounts of OE should be changed - Server should be 127.0.0.1, Username should be <your user Name>#<Server>

br
Peter

[MtNancy]

Yep, the blue ball is there and turning when I go to different websites.

The first time I loaded Avast, it changed my email settings, and nothing worked, so I went to FAQ on Avast website and found out how to change the settings back to what my ISP had set them at.

I could try the wizard, but I think I will run into the same problem again.

So, I went back and read the FAQ from Avast.com which gives detailed information on how to run the Wizard, and how to go about changing the email antivirus process.

Here is what I am talking about (for others having same problem):

Q: avast! 4 changes my POP3 and SMPT settings to 127.0.0.1 and also the names of my e-mail accounts are modified, so I cannot send any messages. What is wrong?

A: avast! needs to change that settings, otherwise it couldn´t scan your e-mail messages. But it shoudln´t cause any problems with sending or receiving messages. If you have problems, however, follow these steps:

Close Outlook Express.
Start Mail Protection Wizard and select "Automatically remove protection from all my accounts.
Start Outlook Express.
In Outlook Express, check the server addresses and user name. If you don´t know the appropriate values, ask your Internet Service Provider.
Close Outlook Express (very important!!!).
Start Mail Protection Wizard again.
Select "Set up the protection manually".
Select "I don´t use MS Outlook..."
Follow the instructions.
At the end you can start Outlook Express again. The addresses of POP and SMTP servers will be changed and your login name modified, but it will work.

This worked to a point - it changed my email account info, and I can send/receive emails, BUT the antivirus message still does not show on the header/footer of the emails - inbound or outbound.  How do I know if it is working or not?

MtNancy

[Eddy]

Use the eicar test file to test the email.

[peterfu]

You may check this link:
http://www.testvirus.org
This gives You the possibility to send Yourself some Eicar test mails. This will work only if Your mail server provider (I assume your ISP) don't do virus checking on the server.
br
Peter

[jhiker]

Missing check confirmation:
It's still not appearing in the 'properties' header, or it's not appearing tagged to the bottom of the body of the email?

If it's the latter, right click the blue ball, start 'On Acess Protection Control' and customise the internet mail provider.

In fact, do that anyway if it's not already configured to insert notes into messages.

[MtNancy]

THANK YOU THANK YOU - your suggestions worked!!

MtNancy