Avast 7.0.1426 causes problems for Dial-up users

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Here’s the deal, when not connected Avast is continually causing the DIALER program to PROMPT TO CONNECT because Avast Free wants to continually contact either VL.FF.AVAST.COM or SU.FF.AVAST.COM (most of the time the former).

If I use that DIAL-UP CONNECTION PROMPT sent to my computer my operating system HANGS UP (LOCKS UP) and WILL USUALLY NOT EVEN CONNECT (the DIALER PROGRAM will say “not responding” if I try and cancel it as it locks up).

To solve my problem what I have to do is CANCEL THE CONNECTION PROMPT(S), then wait for MORE CONNECTION PROMPTS FROM AVAST (sometimes several times) if there are any which their often are and CANCEL EACH ONE. Then when ALL OF THE CONNECTION PROMPTS STOP from Avast I can then launch my DIALER PROGRAM by my own volition (not sent by Avast) and I AVOID ALL OF THE PROBLEMS WITH FREEZING AND LOCKING.

I have tried both scenarios many times. By using any one of the Dial-up prompts to dial-in for a connection when I first login into the computer it will cause the computer to often fail to connect often with the dialer “not responding” and/or the computer will freeze up. On the other hand each time I “cancel” each of the separate Dail-up prompts to connect sent by Avast and then start my own Dial-up prompt I do not have any of these kinds of issues.

I HAVE ATTACHED AN EXAMPLE OF THE DIAL-UP PROMPT FROM AVAST (SEE ATTACHMENT), this is what causes the problem by using this prompt to dial-up. Notice in this case Avast is requesting a connection because of vl.ff.avast.com.

It would appear that Avast will quite often PROMPT MULTIPLE TIMES TO CONNECT while I’m NOT logged into my computer and BECAUSE OF THE LONG DELAYS for the Dail-up prompts to connect because Avast needs a connection PERHAPS AVAST IS GETTING CONFUSED WITH TO MANY CONNECTION REQUESTS which CAUSES MY COMPUTER TO FREEZE and/or LOCK UP. These multiple Avast attempts to connect causing my “Dialer program” to PROMPT TO CONNECT MULTIPLE TIMES STACK UP and are possibly ultimately causing the freezing problems so it becomes necessary for me to CANCEL ALL OF THESE PROMPTS to avoid the issues that are occurring. It maybe if I were to wait for the last connection prompt that Avast sent then the problem might not occur but I would have no idea which is the last until I find that no other dial-up prompts occur.

It seems to me that if I have Update Settings set to: “I only use the internet using a dial up modem” with this option CHECKED then Avast SHOULD NOT be prompting for a “connection”.

But what I THINK the problem MIGHT BE is that THIS SETTING ABOVE IS ONLY RELEVANT TO “ENGINE AND VIRUS DEFINITIONS” UPDATES AND “PROGRAM” UPDATES.

… AND I THINK PERHAPS VL.FF.AVAST.COM and/or SU.FF.AVAST.COM does NOT have anything to do directly with these two “definition” and/or “program” UPDATES ABOVE. Perhaps one or both of these processes causing the CONNECT PROMPT (when I’m NOT connected) have to do with the AVAST ADVERTISING or “Avast News Service” found on the Summary Page of Avast.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IS THIS: If the “I only use the internet using a dial up modem” is CHECKED then this should apply to ALL COMMUNICATION FROM AVAST INCLUDING ADVERTIZING AND/OR NEWS and NOT JUST UPDATES.

I DON’T WANT THE CONNECT PROMPT TO BE SENT MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN I’M NOT CONNECTED.

If I’m wrong about any of my opinions on what’s going on and causing Avast to send multiple “Dialer prompts” that STACK UP and cause my computer to freeze or lock up when I actually DO DIAL IN then let me know.

I’ve tried setting the “Tell me when a website asks to store data for off-line use” unchecked in FF browser and I’ve checked “Never dial a connection” in “Internet connections” for IE browser. But I think NEITHER of these setting will help in THIS case because AVAST IS PROMPTING TO CONNECT WHICH LAUNCHES MY DIALER PROGRAM TO CONNECT which is not directly related to either browser.

I’ve also tried searching the Avast forum for: how to block vl.ff.avast.com? and I get the following: How can AvastFree be prevented from contacting vl.ff.avast.com? Started by Robert Gault forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.150 BUT I DON’T FIND ANYTHING ON THIS PAGE BY “Robert Gault” or anything on THIS TOPIC.

FOR NOW MY QUESTION AT THIS POINT IS: HOW CAN I PREVENT AVAST FROM TRYING TO CONTACT FOR “VL.FF.AVAST.COM” or other requests WHILE I AM NOT CONNECTED?

2

Disable all the cloud services - both reputation and streaming updates.

3

Thanks for the reply, this appears to have stopped the dialer prompts.

That said, I’d prefer to have the added “Cloud Services” protection so I think I’ll just put up with cancelling each of the dialer prompts I get whenever I log-in to my computer.

I HOPE THIS WILL BE DEALT WITH IN FUTURE Avast UPGRADES WHERE IF THE “UPDATE SETTINGS” OPTION “I only use the internet using a dial up modem” IS CHECKED THIS WOULD THEN CONTROL WHEN THE “CLOUD SERVICES” CONNECTION IS ESTABLISHED (just as it does currently regarding definition and program updates).

4

It sounds like the rapid speed of cloud based services for File Reputation and Streaming Updates can’t accomodate the old Dial-up technology. You could and probably should turn off the cloud service for Streaming updates and File Reputation Services.

Also, the OP may want to look at a MINIMUM of a quality DSL ISP provider, or go one better with high-speed Internet for even faster speeds, such as through your cable company. New customers can get some nice deals. Ten years ago, I had a dial up ISP service that came out of a Cracker Jack Box! It was such a POS!

And it’s a pain to have to always have to “Wait” to log in and establish a connection. Try to get a faster service through DSL or High Speed Cable. I don’t even know how you could do Windows Updates on Dial Up. It could take all day (and night!) Compared to something that could be done in a few minutes with a high-speed connection!

And than when you get high speed Internet, re-enable Avast Cloud Services. You will be amazed at the speed of web searching, browsing, and downloads!

Jack