I realize this is something extensively covered on the website- but I’ve gone to my browser’s options, connection settings, and added localhost on port 12080. But whenever I turn avast on, I cannot get to any websites other than my bank and one of my credit cards. I can’t even get to the avast website when it’s on.
Please help. :-[
Why have you done this?
Are you using an older operating system like Win9x or WinMe? If not then you do not need to mess with Firefox in this way and should remove it.
Welcome to the forums, MMac. 
What firewall do you use and have you set this firewall to allow ashserv.exe & ashWebSV.exe through this firewall?
I’ve done that because that is what all of the support info says to do. I’ll change it back if I need to- but it doesn’t work either way.
So, I’m running Norton protection center (I know, they’re not so great) and maybe even the windows firewall-- I’m not even sure- and I have no idea how to allow access to those files for either… just call me computer illiterate.
So my question is- how do I allow the avast files access and how do i “set this firewall to allow ashserv.exe & ashWebSV.exe” through…?
Thanks for all of your help much appreciated.
I don’t remember this exactly on Norton but, generally, if you use avast and try to update, the firewall should ‘ask’ you to allow connection through Internet… Is there any ‘learning’ mode with the firewall?
Must have a list of allowed programs into the firewall settings…
Into the firewall settings, the following programs should be allowed to connect:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe (avast! Web Scanner)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe (avast! e-Mail Scanner Service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\avast.setup (avast! Update executable). This is a temporary file that just appears when an update (check) is about to launch, and disappears again afterwards.
I’m using w98se. Does that mean that I should set it up with localhost - port 12080? I had it set and it worked fine… the “a” icon
actually spun when I checked my internet e-mail account. After reading these posts, I removed the localhost-12080 setting, and it still
worked fine. However, the “a” icon no longer spins when I check my internet e-mail account.
You have to manually configure browser to access Internet using avast! WebShield if you have Windows 98\Me. For 2k\XP\Vista it’s automatic and transparent.
To manually configure your browser see the following tutorials:
For IE and permanent connection users:
http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ieproxy.htm
For IE and dial-up users:
http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ieproxy_dialup.htm
For Firefox users:
http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ffproxy.htm
Thanks Tech. That’s what I did.
And does it work? Is everything right now?
Yeah, it seems to work. The “a” icon does spin when I log on to my internet e-mail.
The only other problem I have is that the auto update doesn’t seem to work on a regular basis. It’s been almost two days since
a vps update. If I were to reboot the computer, I know the latest update would be installed. Oh well, I’ll just have to do it that way.
Can you manually update without problems?
avast checks if there is an available connection each 40 seconds.
If there isn’t, wait more 40 seconds to check. Checking does not take more than one second and, of course, does not use the Internet band.
If there is a connection, check for an update. If there is not any new file to download, wait 4 hours to start checking again. If there is an available update, start it and install it. Again, wait 4 hours to check the next time.
Some of this settings could be configurated different, I posted the default values of the avast4.ini file. The updates are incremental.
If I try to manually update, nothing happens. Every once in a while, however, it does seem to update. There is no rhyme or reason
for this action. It will update automatically on vps versions -1 occasionally and then do nothing until I reboot. What part of the .ini
should I edit to try to correct this problem?
Which firewall do you use?
Zonealarm. My info should be in my signature.
Sorry, missed the obvious…
Sometimes ZA could ‘lost’ the settings or not read them correctly.
Maybe you can delete the avast entries into ZA Programs allowed to connect, boot, allow them again.
OK, I’ll try that.
Deleted
Tech,
It’s never asked me to grant access to the internet. However- there are some internet sites that I can access- seems like they’re the most secure ones… my bank and my USAA card.
Could there be a problem in what Avast is letting through?
Also- the program files that you listed, where should I add those to? Is this a text file or should it be a tab/option when you open the firewall itself- something really obvious that I’ve just missed?
Thanks again for being patient. You guys are really awesome for taking care of us newbies.
Yes. ashWebSv.exe could not be allowed to connect. The secure connections through https can’t be scanned by avast WebShield.
Into ZA settings, Programs allowed to connect.
Hey Tech,
I don’t have ZA firewall… I have Norton Protection center and there aren’t any options available to change anything- talk about a lack of control over things. Also- it never asked me about granting access to the internet for avast… so basically I still can’t turn web shield on and expect to get on the internet- which is now causing avast to be unable to update- says “error. cannot connect to server.” I know that when I can finally add the files to allow the program access to the internet, that will go away but…
sry for all of the hassle… :-\