Avast 7 not blocking applications when used with other Firewalls

SnoopZ · 21-03-2012, 10:11

There is currently a serious security problem with the latest version of Avast 7 where a blocked application in a computers software firewall is still given full access to the internet unless Avasts Webshield is disabled.

To replicate this behaviour do the following.

1. As an example block Firefox in Comodo Firewall.

2. Try and access Firefox and you will have full access to the internet.

3. Disable Avasts 7 Webshield and Firefox will be blocked as expected.

I believe Windows Firewall is also affected along with others too, thus rendering these firewalls useless for application blocking.

Avast doesn't seem that concerned about fixing this issue, discussions can be found here.

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=93953.0
http://forums.comodo.com/firewall-he...-t82382.0.html

Mick Fisher · 21-03-2012, 13:53

I installed avast on a new machine but dumped it after 10 days.

It gave me many false positives and in a couple of cases, the affected apps right click options have disappeared entirely even after entering the apps as exceptions and reinstalling them.

I also noticed many websites seemed to be blocked but without any notification. Disabling the web shield and/or entering the sites as exceptions makes no difference.

After dumping avast things are still not entirely back to normal in that I still have a number of sites that should load but just sit with the spinning ring forever. Most never even time out.

I'm going to try the avast removal tool in safe mode. Mind you if the coding of the tool is of the same standard as the coding of the app, I give it little chance of working.

My opinion of avast is that it is total garbage. Avira isn't much better, I'm dumping that from other machines too because of slow booting and false positives.

I've gone back to MSE.

SnoopZ · 21-03-2012, 16:16

never had a problem until now with avast. I was going install avira but it is not compatible with comodo.

Mick Fisher · 22-03-2012, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

never had a problem until now with avast. I was going install avira but it is not compatible with comodo.

I never got round to trying Comodo but I have used PrivateFirewall with Avast, Avira and MSE.

Gadgie · 22-03-2012, 20:32

I have had AVAST on our desk top for years now and its been OK.

I had to remove AVG from the lap top though, as it had a problem with the AVG Toolbar?

So I installed AVAST into that as well, no problems so far

SnoopZ · 23-03-2012, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadgie

I have had AVAST on our desk top for years now and its been OK.

I had to remove AVG from the lap top though, as it had a problem with the AVG Toolbar?

So I installed AVAST into that as well, no problems so far

If you run avast and use either the windows firewall, Comodo or privatefirewall then those firewalls are rendered useless judging by reports on the internet and quite possibly others too so i would check by blocking a site with your firewall and see if it is really blocked.

So my advice is get rid of Avast until they fix the issue or turn off the webshield.

I will install Avast again when i know it is fixed in Windows 7.

nffc · 23-03-2012, 06:59

You're only supposed to use one firewall at once.

SnoopZ · 23-03-2012, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by nffc

You're only supposed to use one firewall at once.

I am only using 1 firewall (comodo), it is the the Antivirus webshield that is causing the issue.

joglynne · 23-03-2012, 11:57

Thank you Snoopz for bringing this potential problem to our attention. I have, in the short term, turned off the Avast Firewall whilst I decide which other free AV to install. I think I shall be returning to MSE.

nffc · 23-03-2012, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

I am only using 1 firewall (comodo), it is the the Antivirus webshield that is causing the issue.

But the web shield is effectively acting as a firewall...

SnoopZ · 23-03-2012, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by nffc

But the web shield is effectively acting as a firewall...

Well it does do things yes, but even Avast don't class it as a firewall and i certainly wouldn't just run an antivirus and rely solely on its webshield as i want application control blocking.

nffc · 23-03-2012, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

Well it does do things yes, but even Avast don't class it as a firewall and i certainly wouldn't just run an antivirus and rely solely on its webshield as i want application control blocking.

Yeah, in which case turning off the web shield is correct. It probably would silently proxy the web traffic through itself anyway so your firewall would be seeing the traffic coming through the web shield, not through firefox.

SnoopZ · 23-03-2012, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by nffc

Yeah, in which case turning off the web shield is correct. It probably would silently proxy the web traffic through itself anyway so your firewall would be seeing the traffic coming through the web shield, not through firefox.

Yes that is what Avast 7 is doing according to their forums, Avast 6 didn't do this. Turning it off wasn't really what i wanted to do as it gave a notification it was off on the taskbar.

It really is a serious issue as with millions on people using the default windows firewall will have no clue that its blocking is useless.

This maybe only an issue in Windows 7.

SnoopZ · 28-03-2012, 17:06

Still no fix in place from either Avast or Comodo so i have reluctantly uninstalled both!

I do begrudge paying for internet security software year after year, however i am currently using Eset Smart Security 5 as a temporary measure until i am happy with a free version of something.

You can currently get a FREE 6 month licence for this from the below computer shopper link if anyone is interested.

http://www.eset.co.uk/Sales/ComputerShopper