I have just downloaded Avast and it seems to be working. I say seems because when I open the On-Access Scanner the Outlook/Exchange Icon does not appear to be active as the icon seems to be almost transparent and there is a small clock with a red face over the icon. One other thing is that has me concerned is that when I drag the mouse over the icon on the tool bar it says that there are 7 providers and only 6 running. Can some explain to me what this all means??
I suggest a browse of the avast help file which explains what the resident protection does, check the Outlook/Exchange Provider information and you will see it is only required when you use MS Outlook (not express) or MS Exchange email programs. If you don’t use them it isn’t required.
There will also be other providers that you may not need, these you can terminate. An absolute minimum would be Standard Shield, Web Shield, Network Shield and Internet Mail, any others relate to programs you might use.
I’m more concerned about what you are calling a clock with a red face over it. That is possibly the avast ’ a ’ icon with a red circle with a bar through it, like a no entry sign, this indicated that avast isn’t working properly.
What Operating System are you using ?
Have you received any other errors or warning messages ?
Have (or did) you have another AV installed in this system, if so what and how did you get rid of it ?
What other security based software do you have, e.g. Spybot S&D (TeaTimer), AdAware (AdWatch), SpySweeper, PrevX, WinPatrol, ProcessGuard, etc. ?
May I jump in on this thread? I too have a question about whether or not the system is working properly. Although I would like to state for the record I absolutly LOVE Avast and its simplicity of use. Since Free Home Avast does not do a scan everyday I do one every once in a while. Almost always, it finds a Trojan or two. Since I haven’t turned it off I don’t understand how the Trojan gets in. It doesn’t seem to have any effect on the way the computer is acting but still I am concerned.
Firstly this should be in a new topic as it is unrelated to the original and is hijacking the topic.
Trojans aren’t viruses and are usually associated with spyware, avast does detect trojans but it isn’t a specialist trojan hunter/anti-spyware program. avast is adding more trojan, spyware and adware signatures and it is as these are added that it is likely why they are detected on the HDD rather than as they try to get installed.
How they get in is another matter entirely, OS not up to date, browser not up to date (IE primarily), both of these allow exploits of the browser and OS vulnerabilities, which have been patched but not implemented by the user. Visiting dodgy web sites downloading little useful helper tools (and getting a little extra). Using an alternative browser to IE (firefox, opera, non-IE clone) can improve things as they aren’t as susceptible to malware infection.
You also need a good firewall as trojan downloaders will be downloading more malware and without a good firewall it can bypass your defences.
No one program is likely to catch everything. If you haven’t already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and run it.
- Ad-Aware
- Spybot Search and Destroy
- Spywareblaster Don’t install this until you are clean.
- Ewido anti-spyware If using winXP. or a-Squared free if using win98/ME.
??? I’ve downloaded Avast, but the Avast icon has a red circle with line on the icon. Can someone assist with my problem? I’m without any protection an my computer Thanks!
Short answer: yes, I believe something is wrong with your setup, just don’t know what …
Check your Task Manager (ctrl-alt-delete).
Tell us whatever programs might be running. If 6 programs are running with something like av… or something, its probably Avast!'s protection.
Give us the full name and I’m sure people can confirm it.
Have you guys uninstalled your previous antivirus programs out perfectly?
Right now, I think we need more info on your machines. (and the avast! build, update, vps, etc.).
DAvidR
Try the EWIDO link we do NOT want AVG ver 8 installed over Avast- unpredictable results"
actually not “unpredictable” but definite problems
perhaps we should be suggesting MBAM and SAS instead
A-squared, of course, works for all as does Spybot and SAS
MBAM is Malware Bytes Anti Malware
SAS is SuperANtiSpyware
Which is your operational system?
Which other antivirus did you use in this computer? How did you remove it?
Which other security programs do you have installed?
Please, post the last 200-250 lines of avast log: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\log\Setup.log