Hey guys, i wanted to ask if Network shield is needed when u have both hardware and software firewalls and ofc avast with web shields running? i know what Network shield is suppose to do, but from what i can see its scanning way too much (much more then web shield anyway) and it looks to me like not rly needed option when u have rock solid firewall. Can someone clear this up for me please?
Shields im using are File system shield, Web shield, Network shield and Behavior shield, while shields like p2p, IM etc for me personaly are not needed and Script shield doesnt work with Chrome as far as i know.
Oh btw when im already here, do u guys think File system shiled sensitivity should be on high or normal?
Hardware and software firewalls don’t do what the network shield does and the network shield isn’t a firewall as such. It does monitor common attack ports though, but it isn’t a full firewall.
Network shield stops malcode that firewalls won’t stop. The avast! shields form part of a complete av solution’s protection.
The benefits of the shield protection is that it blocks the malcode access, so your OS has never been contacting it.
The network shield configuration makes it protects against a plethora of issues from iFrame redirects to malvertising etc. etc. etc.
Thanks to both of u for clearing that up for me!
If i may ask one more question, i have quite strong machine, and as far as i know avast is one of most light antivirus softwares and by default it comes with all those shields, basicly is there any situation in normal day working/browsing/playing games etc where i could feel any kind of slow downs from Web and Network shield? like higher MS in games or slower browsing and such things?
Also i kinda had File system shield for long time set to high and i didnt rly notice any slow downs but is that rly optimal and needed? should i keep it on high or set back to normal sensitivity?
Thanks
File System Shield — Real-time protection against viruses and other malware threats. Scans files as they run on your computer to keep viruses from being able to execute.
Mail Shield — Scans messages and attachments in E-mail/Microsoft Outlook/Exchange for viruses.
Web Shield — HTTP protection (local transparent proxy). Version 4.8 also allows the blocking of URLs. Scans URLs and incoming data for viruses, and aborts connections to the site if one is found.
P2P Shield — Scans P2P files from file share programs.
IM Shield — Instant Messaging protection. (Scanning of files transferred through instant messaging applications)
Script Shield — Scans webpages for malicious scripts, and disables them from infecting your computer, though they can still be used (for example, a clickable button.)
Network Shield — Basic protection against well-known network worms. Acts as an Intrusion Detection System.
Behavior Shield — Reports suspicious behavior by analyzing the behavior of programs
