I reformatted a couple of months ago and had no problem with web shield before that.
As soon as i reformatted all my downloads in firefox would never complete and just stop as if i was looking at a screen shot at a point.
I eventually eliminated everything and i turned off web shield and my downloads were working just fine.
Since i just found these forums on google, I’d thought i would ask here.
Well I use Firefox as my default browser and downloads are no problem with web shield running.
What is your OS ?
What is your firewall ?
What other security based software do you have that might have an effect, e.g. anti-spyware, etc. ?
Do you have the latest version of firefox, 2.0.0.6 ?
Do you use any web accelerator or proxy software ?
Well it worked fine before the reformat with web shield.
Anyway.
*Windows XP SP2
*Zone Alarm
*Since i tried just after a reformat and have no different software than before i doubt it.
Yes i use the latest version.
No i dont.
Is it ZA pro that you are using ?
As there can be issues with the ZAP privacy function and the web shield, though this is usually seen when switching between http and https (secure) pages, like logon to hotmail/yahoo, etc. not seen in downloads to my knowledge. There have also been some reports in the forums of slow DSL connections when using ZA, though that seems to be on 64bit versions of windows.
Also see http://www.avast.com/eng/webshield_issues.html.
- ZONE ALARM - AVAST Web Shield compatibility dialogue - Install/Update Question - YES or NO
If you are using ZoneAlarm Free you should click NO, because privacy features are not present in ZoneAlarm Free this will not turn off web shield transparent mode proxy (Note the avast check should now be able to differentiate between ZA and ZA Pro so you may not see this interface if using ZA free).
Use a text editor and edit the avast4.ini file, the default installation location is C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\avast4.ini (I would advise you copy avast4.ini before editing it, just in case).
If you answered incorrectly, Locate the line containing ZoneAlarmCompatibility= and delete that line (avast will ask again, answer NO) or change the value to =0. Save the edited avast4.ini file.
If you are using ZoneAlarm Pro and Privacy Control in ZoneAlarm is set to High and if you click YES in avast compatibility dialogue box the transparent mode proxy in web shield will be turned off you have to manually configure browser to access internet. To manually configure your browser watch instructional video
For IE - broadband users: - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for IE
For IE - dialup users - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for IE (Dial-up)
For Firefox users - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for Firefox
Edit: Even if this might not be applicable to you you could try setting your browser manually to use the web shield proxy and see if that has any effect.
I was using ZA Free with Avast and the same download stops showed up about 4 weeks ago. I tested downloading a 50mb file from MS 10 times without ZA installed, and it worked flawlessly, reactivating ZA blocks the downlods 8/10 times.
Same happens if I disable WebShield (terminate it… not pausing… pausing isn’t enough).
Did an extensive series of tests about WebShield and XP/Vista until we realized both (Vista is different but still ZA conflict) had conflicts with ZA. (again, I use the Free edition of both ZA and Avast).
when I know that all I have left is to download a big file (just at the point where I need to click on the link to start the download), I terminate WShield, download then reactivate it.
I cannot live without WebShield 
Even tried Comodo Firewall Pro (always free) and even tho it looks like a much more advanced Firewall, AND the problems were gone with it installed instead of ZA, I couldn’t trust in the end… still need more time with it… so I came back to ZA and learned to live with the issues until they’re fixed by either Zonelabs, Alwil or both. 
Hope this helps you realize you’re not alone in this and that from what Luktor few last posts on my previous thread, it seems like they’re aware of it and are testing solutions.
Regards…
Rej
P.S. Forgot to mention I hAd the same freeze issues with both Firefox and IE7
Why not… avast + Vista + Comodo (version 3) is a very good combination.
avast and comodo work well together and many forum members use it and are happy with it, it knocks the free ZA into a cocked hat especially when it comes to protection. The free version of ZA is crippled as far as outbound protection goes.
Zone Alarm free generally works fine with avast and has a reasonably friendly user interface, however, the free version is becoming bloated with trial ware and is also crippled as far as outbound protection goes In the Program Control, configuration area, the slider will only goes as far as Medium protection, if you want more you have to buy the Pro version.
See http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/leak-tests-results.php later set of results.
As you found pausing the web shield doesn’t work because the proxy is still in use just that the content isn’t scanned, so termination is the only option. Personally I would go for the firewall that gets a better review and it also worked.
even tho it looks like a much more advanced Firewall, AND the problems were gone with it installed instead of ZA,Now that i quiet dont understand.. why dont you just use comodo. Anyway ill uninstall zonealarm (gone down hill lately ) and try with comodo.
[Edit]
Just looking through the comodo forum and i found…
It's better than 2.4, but it need few things fixed until final version. Like it's problem with Avast! web shield. And several BSODs and bugs need to be fixed. But when it's final I can hopefully give it a 5 star rating, or maybe 6 Wink:/ this has the problem too?
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Because I have a Lifetime license for Outpost Pro, not to mention it is a suggestion for you, since you are using a free firewall the suggested option would be another free firewall, one that you have already tried before without the problem you are experiencing with ZA.
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Are you saying it has the same problem that you experienced with ZA ?
Your quoted text doesn’t say what the problem with the web shield was, plus if I don’t miss my mark, this was abut a beta release of comodo firewall which basically says wait for or use the regular release. I personally wouldn’t recommend using beta security software on an only (non-test) PC unless you were confident in being able to deal with the potential pitfalls of beta software.