I set the options to ask when a suspicious file is being downloaded, because it kept blocking on a false positive. But the prompt has only one action - drop the connection. How do I get a prompt that lets me download the file in question without disabling Web Shield completely?
You don’t say what avast is alerting on, a screenshot attached to your next post could help.
Unfortunately there is only one option to abort the connection - if you accept the risk in it not being an FP then you have your choice in your post.
You can however report this as a possible FP which if confirmed would allow it to be downloaded when the signature is corrected,
There is an on-line contact form, http://www.avast.com/contact-form.php?loadStyles for: * Sales inquiries; Technical issues; Website issues; Report false virus alert in file; Report false virus alert on website; Undetected Malware; Press (Media), issues.
If you are reporting an FP, then you get another input field open, enter the web URL for the site you wish to submit for review, etc. A link to this topic also wouldn’t hurt.
Also, suspicious files can be tested here www.virustotal.com / www.metascan-online.com / www.jotti.org
So it’s the same old case of a program trying to be more clever than the user, and failing miserably. With no way to override on a per-file basis, that means the user has no choice but to disable the active shields completely, which leaves one vulnerable to legitimate threats.
Very bad design.
You have the option to report it to avast lab so that they can correct it
The Avast people claim that the design is this way on purpose, and it’s safer for the “for dummies” crowd, who would always think they know better and circumvent the protection. It’s a bit hard to argue with that logic.
I seems to not have quite enough control for highly knowledgeable users. But it still brings value.
What do the online services say about the file you’re trying to download? Is it possible it really is carrying malware and you have misjudged its trustworthiness? What file is it? Is it publicly accessible?
You do know that you can “disable shields” temporarily by right-clicking the Avast icon in the System Tray, right? I don’t suggest you do this if there’s even the slightest uncertainty about whether the software you’re trying to download carries malware, but I wanted to mention that it’s there.
-Noel