I use AVAST HOME EDITION 4.8 with the latest updates.
I have noted that AVAST appears to slow down my Internet searches and all Internet pages I access. I wanted to try accessing my Internet again without AVAST active at all.
Using a program called “TCPVIEW”, TCVIEW shows ALL active Internet connections. TCPVIEW also shows the “Connected status” for all Internet connections. TCPVIEW sometimes shows up to 20 (and maybe more at times) AVAST established connections! These AVAST Internet connections soar as I access more Internet pages.
These connections are all shown as: “AshWebSv.exe:920”.
TCPVIEW reports that these processes belong to: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ ashWebSv.exe A AVAST program operation.
Using the right-click on AVAST tray Icon I selected the option to “STOP ON-ACCESS PROTECTION”. AVAST now reports that AVAST services are stopped, or “0 Running”.
Next using MSCONFIG I unchecked AshDsp, the Microsoft start-up option for AVAST, however at my next Windows start-up AVAST remains started and active again!
I used another program called: “PROCESS EXPLORER” (after AVAST was ‘stopped’) . I was surprised to see that PROCESS EXPLORER shows FIVE AVAST processes are still active and operational! These AVAST sub-programs include:
[b]* ashDisp.exe
- ashWebSv.exe
- ashMaiSv.exe
- aswUpdSv.exe
- ashServ.exe[/b]
I tried to stop the above AVAST ‘services’ with PROCESS EXPLORER, but (apparently) AVAST will not allow that. I have used PROCESS EXPLORER to halt almost all other active services, but again, AVAST can not be stopped. I also tried to halt the AVAST sub-programs with WINDOWS TASK MANAGER, but even TASK MANAGER is not allowed to stop the AVAST processes.
I don’t want to un-install AVAST because I appreciate the protections AVAST offers, however I DO want to have POSITIVE control over AVAST. If I choose to halt AVAST operations, AVAST services should stop.
I must add that I use no other Internet protection other than AVAST so nothing else should be slowing my Internet work. I used another program called: SpeedUpMyPC 2009 to assure my Internet connections were 'fine-tuned". I am fairly confident my System and Internet settings are optimized.
TCIPVIEW, PROCESS MANAGER and HIJACK-THIS tell me that the five prime active files are running are all related to AVAST. The only other program I see active on occasion is Windows Live Messenger and I suspect it is only active when checking to see if there is new mail?
Please tell me, what do you recommend?
Many thanks!