Hi,
I got this message in the right lower corner of my screen, several times a day. I don´t have a clue what it means, and therefor i need help from you pros ; -)
What does it mean? Should i worry about it?
Avast 4.5 Home Edition
VPS File 0502-2
OS: XP
The resident scanner is running. You have Network Shield on.
Is “Network Shield” the message?
Sorry, I forgot to write the message down. It says:
network shield: Blocked “DCOM Exploit” - attack from “IP-number”
You are protected. See these topics
DCOM explot attack
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=9612.0
Message meaning - Attack…
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=9078.0
Thanks for your answer!
Shit, my computer is really under attack!!! One gets a bit worried, what happens if Avast misses some of the attacks? And what happened in my system before i had Avast…?
Today, I’m not using any firewall, and with Avast I dont really need it, do I?
Yes, you do need afirewall. Check this answer that I asked awhile back.
Do I need to run the Network Shield with Zone Alarm?
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=9875.0
Aha, Thanks!
Ok, I will install a firewall at once! Which one do you suggest with avast? I prefer a free one…isn’t there a firewall included in Windows XP? If so, is this one a good choise?
frauxm,
There is a built in firewall in WinXP (turned on by default in SP2) but it only provides inbound protection.
These are two very good and easy to use Firewalls.
Zonealarm: http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/1012_zl/zlsSetup_55_062_004.exe
Sygate: http://www.simtel.com/product.download.mirrors.php?id=53687
Note: Only use one of the firewalls, as using more then one Firewall at the same time can cause serious system instability.
–lee
Thank you guys for your help!
Ok, I have now downloaded Zonealarm. Now I guess i have the protection I need. Do you suggest I leave my Network Shield on?
I am sometimes using AD-Aware SE Personal, will this make any problems for me? I am also using dc++ for my downloads, do I have to change settings in either dc++ or Zonealarm, before dc++ will work?
Do you suggest I leave my Network Shield on?
Yes, extra protection at little cost can’t go a miss now can it 
I am sometimes using AD-Aware SE Personal, will this make any problems for me?
Nope none at all
I am also using dc++ for my downloads, do I have to change settings in either dc++ or Zonealarm, before dc++ will work?
I have never used DC++ myself, but i shouldn’t think you would have to change any settings, best way to find out is to try and use DC++ and if it works, you know nothing needs to be changed in the settings. 
Have a nice day now.
–lee
Lee: Thanks, and have a nice day!
I have noticed, most of the blocked (via Zone alarm) attempts to internet access on my computer comes from my ISP!! Maybe this is just the way it should be? I got about 1 blocked attempt per minute… :-\
frauxm,
Goto to Shields UP website https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 to test your firewall at full Stealth, when you are at the Shields UP website click on Proceed then click on Common Ports.
What Sheilds UP do is to test all your port numbers to make sure your firewall is working, all you have to see and to make sure all your port numbers is reading STEALTH it mean you have pass the test mean your firewall is working.
If any of your port numbers are not reading stealth mean your port number is open, someone can get inside your computer without your permission unless you fix the port number to Stealth.
Do you understand?
SpeedyPc:
Yes I understand, and I have run the test 3 times, and passed 2 of them. I guess my firewall is working?
If all ports are showing up as stealthed, then yes, with Zonealarm as long as the firewall is set to the ‘high’ settings all ports will be stealthed.
The ‘attempts’ to access your PC will mostly be ‘background traffic’ (other people using the internet) which is nothing to worry about, and the ones from your ISP will properly be legitimate, but nothing bad can come from it blocked or unblocked.
Make sense?
–lee
Lee: Yup, it makes sence!
Yesterday, when Zonealarm was installed and running, the program blocked several attempts from s.c. Dial-up sites. Today, I haven’t had a single one of them, trying to get into my computer. That’s nice! ;D