“It protects the computer from viruses during the common work with Internet (browsing, downloading files, etc.). It can also block access to specific web pages.”
If I have WebShield off… isn’t Avast already checking every file I try to access (such as a downloaded file)? Is it really an essential component to have on 24/7? And won’t a Script Blocker taking care of the rest?
On another note, might as well post this here: I’m having trouble with automatic updating. I assume it tries to update by itself, and it’s giving me the message of “Failed to update, could not contact the avast server”… I’ve given it firewall permissions. Known bug maybe?
If you set the Standard Shield to ‘High’ sensitivity, yes.
Note that on the Home version, some archive files are only scanned when you run on-deman.
Script Blocker will do what it’s prepared to do: block infected scripts (scanning all).
WebShield will catch the virus even before then could be saved in a file into your computer, for instance.
But, you’re right, it can be disabled. The question is, why do you want it disabled?
Did you allow which file to connect?
It’s not a bug. It’s working perfectly.
Can you manually update?
I have to set Standard Shield on HIGH for it to scan all files? When set on NORMAL, I see the option of “Scan files on open” as checked… I’m assuming it scans EVERYTHING on Open. Can you clear that up?
Also, does Avast always scan BEFORE the file is opened? I’m assuming before (probably a stupid question to you, heh)
I’m still getting update error messages… happens often when I turn on the computer. You know how there’s a time period when the firewall locks net access until it loads? Could that be the problem?.. and is it fixable?
Your firewall should allow access to ashUpdSv.exe and avast.setup if either of these are blocked no update.
Check your firewall logs and see if they were blocked, also check your firewall’s blocked applications, if either are there then change them to allowed applications.
WebShield adds an extra (no-nonsense) layer of protection. And yes, it can be much more effective in some cases than the regular Standard Shield.
The thing is, a HUGE number of today’s malware takes advantage of various exploits in web browsers (most notably, IE). The same applies to nuisance like dialers, spyware etc.
In such a case, howevers, scanning of network streams (http streams in case of Web Scanners - i.e. avast’s WebShield) is the only way to prevent the infection. The filesystem based scanner will simply act too late (when the payload is written to disk - but after the host process has been compromised)…