Avast blocks access to Web under W2k-SP4

system · 2006-11-03T11:06:38.000Z

When i activate full resident protection, I am unable to access the Web through Firefox or Internet explorer. Furthermore, I can’t access my ISP mailbox either.

I’m running version 4.7.892 under W2k-SP4. Appears to be working okay under XP.

When i disabled the Web shield in Resident Protection, I got access to the Web.
However, in order to access my mailbox, I have to disable Resident protection completely.

This problem started 1st November.

DavidR · 2006-11-03T13:16:06.000Z

What is your firewall ?
Does it allow access to ashWebSv.exe the avast Web Shield and ashMaiSv.exe the avast email scanner ?

system · 2006-11-04T13:24:48.000Z

The firewall is Sygate 5.6 Build 2808. “Allowed” Avast programs are ashServ.exe, ashMaiSv.exe, ashWebSv.exe.

Anyhow, whenever there is a Sygate request to allow passage to Avast, I always reply Yes with the Remember option.

I’ve been using Avast and Sygate together for years. It’s the first time I run into a problem where Avast is the culprit.

system · 2006-11-04T13:27:13.000Z

At one point in time, I even uninstalled Sygate completely and the problem was still there.

DavidR · 2006-11-04T13:34:14.000Z

I have seen avast elements blocked bu other firewalls (mine included) when they show that they have permission. The only way around this was to delete the entry for the avast providers and have the firewall ask permission again.

I’m at a loss if it doesn’t work without the firewall installed, are there any errors displayed, if so what are they ?

system · 2006-11-05T08:56:35.000Z

When using Firefox, the program just hangs indefinitely with a “Waiting for www.google.com” message (home page).

In the case of the ISP mailbox, I use Mailwasher, the anti-spam. At every try, I get an error message saying that the Server closed the session before it could be completed. This seems to imply that at least the “check mail” operation does reach the ISP site.

system · 2006-11-05T09:09:31.000Z

In the case of Firefox, I noticed that, while it is hanging for Google, whenever I try to access a Favorite or a previously used URL in the address box, one of two things happens: after a few seconds, it displays a “completed” message and the screen is blank under the Firefox headings. In other cases, I get a partial view of the requested site with the message “Transfer data from… etc” where the name of the site is displayed and the operation just hangs there, about 90% completed according to the displayed ribbon.

Lisandro · 2006-11-05T12:46:07.000Z

Are you using any proxy application, like annonimizers?
Can you check with TCPView from www.sysinternals.com which applications are trying to connect the internet?
Any other security program that could interfere with browsing and antivirus?

system · 2006-11-12T20:41:31.000Z

Sorry, just got back. Problem still around.

I use no proxy.

I use PestPatrol, ewido and AdWatch along with Sygate. They’ve been working for at least a year all together.

I’ll try sysinternals and come back to oyu tomorrow.

system · 2006-12-20T21:21:25.000Z

It was an Avast problem after all. I haven’t changed anything with my W2k-SP4 but for the past few days, I don’t need to deactivate Avast in order to use Incredimail or Firefox. An Avast update must have fixed what was wrong.

Lisandro · 2006-12-20T23:59:41.000Z

Gswiss post:10:

I don’t need to deactivate Avast in order to use Incredimail or Firefox. An Avast update must have fixed what was wrong.

So, when you get blocked, using which browser?

Activate logging in WebShield:

Edit \data\avast4.ini file
Find the section [WebScanner]
Add the line:
EnableLogging=1
Restart Web Shield in XP (terminate and start again) or whole PC in case of Win98
Browse (trying to access some webpages)

The log file are \data\log\ashwebsv.log and ashwebsv.ws.
They would be accessible when WebShield is terminated again.
Post them here or send by mail to rypacek (at) asw.cz
After that, disable the logging to avoid a big log file.

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