Thanks for the heads up Avast team, though I generally just use the handy green pop-up to install the latest version.
This time I’m having a slight problem in the aftermath though I wonder if you could help me with. I generally use FSAutostart to automatically stop and restart all background programs and non essential services before gaming. FSA was first packaged with MS Flight Sim 10 and is trusted by MS and works well with XP (using XP Home SP2). FSA is now available as a stand alone freeware tool, which is how I obtained it.
I now get FSA hanging with the same error repeating over and over, “Cannot stop ashDisp.exe”. Before it always had no problem shutting down this exe and now even if I try to use Task Manager to shut it down I get an Access Denied message. The only way I can shut down Avast now is via the Services page in the Windows Computer Management console.
The closest thing I’ve found via Google searches was problems uninstalling the previous version before installing 4.8, but as mentioned I use the updater and am just having problems turning Avast off. I am using the Home (free) version of Avast btw. Any help on this would be appreciated, thank you.
What are you describing is not a bug - it’s one of the new features. If you (with the help of FSA or otherwise) can stop avast! processes, the same can be done by active malware - to avoid detection.
If you really want to stop avast! processes, you have to disable the self-protection module in avast! settings / Troubleshooting page.
I must say, however, that I don’t see any reason to do so - it won’t really make any difference, except for making the risk of infection bigger.
Thank you for the instructions igor, I kind of thought it might be a new feature. As I configure FSA very thoroughly, I’m essentially not connected to the net when I am gaming and have Avast shut off. On my next system it won’t likely be something I’ll worry about as I’ll have plenty of hardware to run the most demanding games. On my current system however, I like to turn off all background programs while gaming. While certainly not being the most intrusive, Avast does consume a fair amount of memory while in use compared to some others.
I could not quite understand though that while this new feature is there for self protection, you can disable it in the Services menu by right clicking on Avast and clicking Stop. Right clicking on it and clicking Properties then Disable though results in an Access Denied message. Thus this new feature seems to be a bit inconsistent in whether it can be turned off without changing settings.
I want to end by saying I still think Avast has the best Home AV program going and tell people that on the forums I chat on all the time. I know it is more thorough than the oft mentioned AVG in that it can detect viruses before they’re downloaded and more consistent than AVIRA’s AntiVir in that it doesn’t have a problem with false positives and updating. In fact now it even has a higher detection rate.
You should have gotten a warning popup (on a “gray” screen) about stopping avast! services - and unless confirmed, the main service shouldn’t stop.
Did you?
Yes, I got the warning, that wasn’t my point. My point was A) you can still turn off Avast without changing settings via the Service console, and B) if you try to change the Service console status for Avast from Automatic to Manual or Disabled, then you get Access Denied. Just seems a bit inconsistent. Also, I was wondering if the user can easily switch it off via the Service console, hows that any different from someone else being able to do the same without changing settings in Avast? Is it that having to click OK when the popup comes means someone else can’t do it? Just seems a lot easier than getting the Access Denied via the other way. I guess you’re saying that clicking OK on the popup is basically the same as changing the settings in Avast for the self protection module though?
Seems to me just a different way for a hacker to do the same thing. Maybe there should be password protection for the self protection module to fully secure such a feature? Anyways, personally I’m not worried about it igor because as I said, the only time I’ll have it off is when I’m gaming while not connected to the net and it’s obviously more secure than the previous version which I had no problems with. It’s not that hard to just set the Avast settings to disable the module before launching FSA then set it back. Seeing the red minus on the Avast taskbar icon further ensures I don’t forget to turn it back on. A pretty well designed product really, I just wasn’t aware of how the new features worked.
No need for a password, one they are easily and frequently forgotten, you only have to check the forums for the number of people who have forgotten the password for changing the program settings.
Disabling the avast self-protection will allow for stopping On-Access Protection which is sufficient for the majority of needs, without having to remember yet another password.
I think it’s a compromise… if you can disable avast by non-UAC way, other malware could do the same. Security in Windows (as in Linux) pass through the admin (root) password or manual input. For what reason will be one want to disable ashDisp.exe?
Cause it’s my PC and I prefer full control over it. The pop-up (like the one you get via the systems list) is more than sufficient. Apply it to the processes tab, but still give me the ability to shut down everything, and that should be fine no?
Sorry guys, didn’t mean to get an argument started here. I think I had some misconceptions that were cleared up and perhaps others did too. The way I see it we still have our choice of the freedom the prior version allowed and the tighter security this version’s new features have due to their having included an option to disable the self protection module. That combined with a better detection rate and it’s clearly an improved product. No worries from me, just needed a few pointers that’s all.
While researching about why I cannot shut off Avast! I ran across the post by “Tech” about why one would want to shut it down. I play Sims 2 and in the ultimate stupidity of EA Games/Maxis it REQUIRES you shut off ALL background tasks (including and ESPECIALLY anti virus software) before even trying to run their game. I even have to shut of the network connection to the internet to play. (I believe this whole situation BS but don’t get me started on this…lol) I installed AVAST because of this feature and because of not being able to disable it after its update I am pretty screwed unless I uninstall it and find another program that will allow me to disable when I want to play. I understand the safety feature of all the anti-virus software companies disabling the shut off feature but there are a few persons out there like me who need this function at their disposal. I hate Maxis! They have done nothing to remedy the situation of their customers!!! at least I found my answer why I can’t shut if off Thanks
