What are these involved in?

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

In order to apply the correct rules on my firewall, I need to which of the following are involved in updating Avast AV:

ashmaisv.exe

ashdisp.exe

ashserv.exe

ashwebsv.exe

ashsimplesv.exe

ashavast.exe

THANKS

2

Neither of them.
avast.setup a temporary file that is generated by the update process.

So, into the firewall settings, the following programs should be allowed to connect:

C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe (avast! Web Scanner)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe (avast! e-Mail Scanner Service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\avast.setup (avast! Update executable). This is a temporary file that just appears when an update (check) is about to launch, and disappears again afterwards.

Don’t need rights to connect:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe (avast! Update Service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe (avast! antivirus service). Although, ashServ.exe sends ping packets to find out if the Internet connection is alive. You can turn this off by checking the “My computer is permanently connected to the Internet” box in the avast Program Settings > Update (Connections) page.

3

I get nagged by my firewall (Comodo) to make a rule for each of them, and so I can choose from a number of predefined policies. Some of these are:

Installer or Updater

Trusted Application

Limited Application

Isolated Application

4

avast.setup is an Installer or Updater.
The others, Trust application.

5

I remember them until I asked them to leave my system after the blocked my wireless router. I then moved on to a better and more friendly firewall. Gee, you must not trust the new AV if your using the best (Avast)

6

Thanks

7

Avast is my only AV. Would be interested to know about a better FW.

8

Cheap/Free 3rd party firewalls are the pits. If your OS has Windows Firewall use
it, don’t believe the hype which was mostly created by these el cheapo 3rd party
ones. If you need more get a router with a built-in hardware firewall and use it
with the window’s one. If you still need more (very few would) get a quality
professional firewall but they cost some money.

9

But the Comodo FW is very highly rated in all the tests I’ve seen, even against ones you can buy

10

It a very good firewall. From time to time, some problems, like any other security software. If it works for you, go ahead, the protection is much higher than Windows Firewall only.

11

After reviewing the two 10 minute videos I have to agree with you:
http://www.besttechie.net/2008/08/20/malwarebytes-developer-interview

On the first the best part starts about 8 minutes into the video.

12

I would reccommend the one I use but not in the Avast forum

13

Why not?

14

A router with a hardware firewall built in is the cheapest best addition
to a home or small biz system to be used in conjunction with the built
in windows firewall. (for those windows OS’s that have firewalls.) The
free and cheap firewall might add a little ease of use, along with their
more frequent problems as compared with window’s firewalls.

Comparing free and cheap firewalls together and declaring any of these
software firewalls as a quality product is just misleading.

If you need more than the windows firewall and a cheap router with a
hardware firewall then your choices are under a 100.00 or close.

http://www.commodore.ca/windows/how_to_buy_a_firewall.htm

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2311841,00.asp

15

YoKenny that was an excellent video and I agree with the guy being interviewed.
Especially about low cost routers and existing windows firewall being the best
protection for the average home users.

16

Well I have to differ, you only have to look at the number of people hit by downloaders to see malware that can get out can drag in lots more of the same.

Whilst firewalls that monitor outbound connections may put another level of security in play, it does present the user with some questions they may find difficult to know the answer. Though that entirely depends on the firewall and how user friendly that is e.g. it takes some of the decisions away from the user if it has a novice mode, etc.

17

It depends on your preferences, I suppose…

This box started with ZA free ver 3 about 5 years ago together with Avast and by now I am using ver 5 of ZA free.

Not one single problem with ZA this period of time(that I can remember).

So if ease of use, stability and compatibility with Avast is important, my choice is easy.

XPSP3 Home by now.

HL

18

Well the later versions of ZA 7.x I think it is where things got bloated and the outbound protection got crippled (only goes to Medium) in the hope you will buy the Pro version.

That is what I used to like about the earlier versions of ZA they were one of the most user friendly interfaces with the user having little knowledge of what went on behind the scenes and little user input required.