Switched from AVG to Avast because AVG slowed down my PC … now Avast Web Shield seems to cause slow internet download speed. (Though Avast - on their website - say " … impact on browsing speed is almost negligible.)
I have ZoneAlarm firewall and scan with Spybot/AdAware regularly… is web shield necessary?
Using the RoadRunner speed test (realize not scientific measurements):
With ZA and all Avast shields … speed range is 1700-4000 KBPS (realize its ‘other’ traffic dependent)
without ZA, with Avast shields … range is basically the same
with ZA, w/o Avast Web Shield … range is 8000 - 9900 KBPS
I didn’t try all the combinations of ‘customized’ settings for the Web Shield… is there something that affects the speed?
It is virtually negligible and I’m on dial-up and see no real impact at all.
So I would say you have something else going on there than simply avast’s web shield.
Many on broadband have posted their test results and in a few cases there is an increase (which seems very strange) but for the majority there is no appreciable difference.
With the lates slew of web sites being hacked you only need look through the viruses and worms forum to see just how effective the web shield is in combating this threat.
I would suggest that you run the AVG8 Remover to ensure all possible remnants are gone, download the tool from here, http://www.grisoft.com/ww.download-tools there is a 32bit and 64 bit windows version, ensure you use the correct one.
What is your OS ?
What version of ZA free or Pro ?
Downloaded AVG removal and ran it … results went by so fast I couldn’t catch the bottom line. When uninstalled AVG (a few weeks ago) I ran HJT to look for any remnants of AVG left … didn’t see any.
I’'ll perform the speed tests again to see if the newest removal made any difference … what about uninstalling Avast and then reinstalling?
OK - so maybe there was something left from AVG … ran ‘speed tests’ again but not at all sure of results … everything seems to be slower - probably result of time of day here in the East (i.e. people getting home from work & using the internet).
Tests now seem to say that get same results with and w/o web shield … hope it’s true because would like to use the web shield. ((6750 KBPS and 6840 KBPS respectively)
I’ll run ‘tests’ again later tonight to try and be sure.
Been toying with installing SP3 but even after 9 mos am leary.
Must be lots of neighbors using internet tonight … am on RR
ran several tests in 1/2 hour (ran each 5 times-took average): (definitely not scientific)
ZA and Avast Web Shield … ~3633 BKPS
NO ZA and Avast w/No Web Shield … ~7223
ZA and Avast w/NO Web Shield … ~6641
NO ZA and Avast Web Shield … ~3882
NO ZA and NO Avast … ~9739
Results are still a little flakey
Obviously, if I wanted the fastest w/o ANY security - I’d turn botn ZA and AVAST off - unreasionable though
ZA definitely slows comm down but web shield seems to slow it down more
When you have something that slows comms adding another element to it may just compound the fact. You didn’t confirm if you are using the Pro version of ZA as that too can add further complications ?
Me I’m not a fan of ZA, but there are many that are and they don’t report this problem, so I’m unable to suggest a fix as I don’t use ZA and haven’t done for over six years.
There are many freeware firewalls such as, Comodo (care required now it is a suite not to install the anti-virus element), PCTools Firewall Plus, Online Armor, etc.
See A Forum discussion on free firewalls http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30808.0
See http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php.
Many forum users are using all of the above:
PC Tools Firewall seems to have the least user headaches as it doesn’t seem to be constantly asking the user questions about this and that.
Online Armor for the most parts fine but it has caused some users grief after avast program updates and that is something you have to watch out for.
Comodo is now a suite and you have to do a custom install so as not to install the antivirus element, of all the firewalls listed this seems to be the noisiest in asking questions, depending on settings and elements used, so it could be daunting for those not to familiar with firewalls or their systems.
Before changing firewalls, did speed test … with ZA and Avast web shield : 1765 BKps
(I know one test is anecdotal )
Uninstalled ZA … renamed Zone Lab folder in Program files just in case … rebooted
(installed Threatfire -Tf - … good or bad ??)
Did more tests:
w/PCTools fwll and Tf and with web shield: … 5704 BKps (looks better than ZA)
w/PCTools fwll and Tf and without6web shield: 9201 BKps
Is Threatfire slowing comms down???
Don’t think there’s any ZA remnant but here is the HJT:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 8:16:46 PM, on 4/23/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal
An analysis fo your HJT log shows the following problems :
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
A newer version of service pack is available. Service packs increase the safety of your system. Visit Microsoft’s windowsupdate site to download the newest version of the service pack.
