I don’t know how this got installed, but here it is (see screenshot below). I was using Avast! Free 7.0.1426. I remeber one day I saw the updater download a relative large file with “_ais” in the name. Maybe it had something to do with this server error, but I don’t know if it happened before or after it : http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=99036.0
EDIT: After I installed the latest BETA (Avast! Free 7.0.1442), it’s gone.
The strange thing is how it got installed.
I am not that sure, It could be a virus or a fake version of Avast! because there is no “spam shield” theirs a mail shield in the most updated version of Avast! I think you should scan your system with Malwarebtyes just to see if there is something wrong
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?part=dl-10804572&subj=dl&tag=button
I know there are fake Avast antiviruses, my friend had it… it looked A bit old but idk… the threat level for today is “Critcial” so it could be anything… I suggest trying to unintall Avast and getting a new copy from Avast.com, please make sure all files and keys are removed I suggest using Ccleaner.
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
Thanks
Chris A.
Maybe it was a corrupt install since Browser Protection wasn’t in additional protection. Did you install the browser protection if you did a custom install?
Maybe I’m not understanding. ??? 
You have Avast IS in the last post so it seems fine. There is an Fake AV that disguises itself as Avast though, I doubt you have it. Looks a legit install.
Exactly 
Edit: The reference was in response to Chris Appleyards assertion there is no Spam Shield when the OP I believe was talking about Anti Spam in “Additional Protection”
My Avast! is legit, installed on 24.10.2011, and manually updated using the build-in updater. No trace of malware in my system.
When I installed Avast!, I disabled browser protection. That’s why I don’t have that tab.
I suspect that somehow during a manual update (definitons or program), the server pushed Antispam accidentally. Maybe the Avast! team was updating some files, and I got the “wrong” one.
Okay well that is all I can suggest is that you make a ticket
http://support.avast.com/index.php?languageid=1&group=eng&_m=tickets&_a=submit
Thanks
Chris A
I don’t need to. I posted this thread because I thought that the Antispam module in the FREE version was a weird “error”, and maybe for a possible official explanation.
Indeed strange. Can any of the programmers comment this?
Maybe they haven’t seen this thread…