I ran my Vista on Shields Up! and it passed on everything except the ping test. I know I fixed this issue on my XP, something with the IMCP settings I think. These options aren’t here anymore and I have to make a rule by myself. Anyone know how to fix it?
BUMP - Same problem. Anyone?
Aside from this topic being two and a half years old, what does Shields Up say about ping tests ?
It also rather depends on what is meant by failing the ping test, as some would have different interpretations of what a failure is. Some firewalls would block an inbound ping test and the act of blocking it can actually confirm that there is a computer at that end. Some might respond to the ping and both of these are more what shields up is talking about failing the test as its purpose is to ensure the system is hidden.
The idea being just to ignore it, e.g. don’t respond to ping tests that don’t originate from the users system.
Is your Vista the 64bit version ?
Try a google search for Vista Firewall fails shields up ping test and see what that brings.
This topic came up in the google search results from this forum almost as old, but it does show the Vista Firewall should pass the ping test, last post in the topic. http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=41494.0
Also see, http://www.vistax64.com/vista-security/79633-disabling-icmp-echo-requests-windows-firewall.html.
David, thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I know it’s an old topic, but since I was searching for the same thing, it seemed a bump might be appropriate.
I have Windows 7 64 bit and should have noticed that it was in the subject line. I tried a google search under “avast ping” and this was the only post I found. I have my computer in stealth mode and this was the only test it didn’t pass.
Any chance you have links to the same problem in Win 7?
Meanwhile, I’ll check the links you gave me in case they would help on the newer OS. 
I got the links using a slightly more detailed search string not avast related, shields up failed ping test (you could try adding windows7 to that). Personally If the actions are in Vista then there must be an equivalent action in windows 7, so where that might be I just don’t know.
So far my journey on my win7 starter netbook has not been a pleasant one (pain in the rear would be more accurate), so it doesn’t see the light of day too often and I don’t get familiar with the interface of where things are.
I hear you. Had no choice when I got a new computer.
You will love Windows 7 64
Read about ShieldsUP!
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
From Common Ports scan
GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2011-03-08 at 21:25:45Results from scan of ports: 0, 21-23, 25, 79, 80, 110, 113,
119, 135, 139, 143, 389, 443, 445,
1002, 1024-1030, 1720, 50000 Ports Open 0 Ports Closed26 Ports Stealth
26 Ports Tested
ALL PORTS tested were found to be: STEALTH.
TruStealth: PASSED - ALL tested ports were STEALTH,
- NO unsolicited packets were received,
- NO Ping reply (ICMP Echo) was received.
There are things I like about it; the new PC is lots faster and so far no blue screen of death. Actually I switched back to Windows from a Mac and miss some things, but like other things better.
When I did the ShieldsUP tests, Avast carried me through with mostly flying colors. Surfing with stealth enabled hasn’t caused any website problem yet and the test said the computer was unusually secure (compared to many going through tests). But the Ping was answered. I suspect it might be my modem/router that is answering (rented from charter) and I don’t know how to change that. It’s way over my head.
I also run the browser in Sandboxie. Not really sure how concerned I should be about the Ping Thing. :-\