BSODs from aswArPot.sys - Turn off Anti-Rootkit Monitoring

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi All,

I have been having BSODs for quite a while, that sometimes indicated aswArPot.sys as the source of the problem.

I saw the following thread:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=220526.msg1547120#lastPost

The suggestion from @gmer was to turn off anti-rootkit monitoring in Avast Free Antivirus.
I tried this and I have stopped getting the BSODs.
Now I’m wondering how exposed this leaves me.

I also have Checkpoint ZoneAlarm Free Firewall installed (sometimes the BSODs had ZoneAlarm drivers as the cause) and wondered if that could be clashing with Avast. Both Avast and ZoneAlarm are up to date.

Situation:
Avast Free Anti-Virus (20.3.2405 build 20.3.5200.561) with anti-rootkit disabled.
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall (version: 15.6.121.18102).

The question is: Am I secure without the anti-rootkit monitoring and if not, is there a way to resolve this situation? And is it wise to have these 2 applications installed together?

Thanks for any help.

2

You don’t mention what OS you are running.

3

Windows 10 Pro 1909 64bit.
OS Build: 18363.836

Computer: Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB.

Thanks

4

I only offer my personal opinion and may differ from others.
Over the years I have found and come to believe that ZoneAlarm can cause issues with other Security Software including Avast.
I personally would uninstall ZoneAlarm (Using the venders ‘Removal Tool’) and use the Windows 10 built-in Firewall which is very good.
See if that stops the Bsods.

5

I would appreciate any suggestions for another free Firewall that is relatively easy to use.
I don’t use the built in Firewall for the same reason I don’t use MS Defender as a free Antivirus.

I was 22 days without a BSOD and then got one today citing aswarpot.sys as the cause :frowning:

6

Cannot be the same reason as these two are totally different products, one is a firewall and one is an antivirus.

If you are afraid of MS spying on you, well… is already happening as you are using Win10.

7

I have been using the Win10 firewall from the time I purchased my win10 Home 64bit laptop and I have found no issues with it. I believe bob3160 uses it on all/most of his win10 systems and I haven’t seen him report any issues. Its almost enable it and forget it, let it get on with it, unless you have any exotic firewall requirements.

8

OK, I’ll give it a go and post back with results

I like ZoneAlarm because it’s easy and protects you against malicious programmes trying to access the internet from your PC. MS Firewall doesn’t do that.

Thanks for your help.

9

OK so far so good.

Can anyone tell me if GlassWire Free Firewall has any incompatibilities with Avast?

10

Afaik, no.

11

OK, so far, no more BSODs. It seems that Avast and ZoneAlarm don’t play well together!

Thanks for all the help given, especially to @schmidthouse, who suggested the Avast/Windows Firewall combo.