Avast custom install - what are the shields?

stonebear · 26 Aug 2011

I am doing a custom install because I don't want it installing things I don't need and I want to keep things simple

I don't know what all the options mean so I don't know what to un-tick in some cases. Here is where I am up to...

Web rep - unticked

Avast gadget - unticked

File shield - not sure what it is?

Mail shield - unticked - I use Gmail only

web shield - firewall? Don't want it if it is.

P2P shield - don't need

IM shield - I use Yahoo messenger sometimes but don't really feel I need a shield, how does it work anyway?

Network shield - sounds like something I need, as long as that is not a firewall

Script Shield - javascript? good idea to have?

behaviour shield - no idea what this is

Can anyone help me understand what these shields are and if it is a good idea to use them please? The ones I have done in red font are the ones I really don't understand/need to decide whether to use them.

stonebear · 26 Aug 2011

So this is what I am currently thinking sounds like a good install for me, without unnecessary stuff. But some of it is guess work.

stonebear · 26 Aug 2011

Web shield is not a firewall so I will install it.

So everything will be ticked except, web rep, avast gadget, mail shield, P2P shield, IM shield (doesn't work with Yahoo messenger anyway). Behaviour shield is for rootkits and other malware so I am installing it.

Answered my own questions by installing everything and seeing what they were, lol.

JaidynM · 26 Aug 2011

For future reference, they have the following functions.

File System Shield — Real-time protection against viruses and other malware threats. Scans files as they run on your computer to keep viruses from being able to execute.
Mail Shield — Scans messages and attachments in E-mail/Microsoft Outlook/Exchange for viruses.
Web Shield — HTTP protection (local transparent proxy). Version 4.8 also allows the blocking of URLs. Scans URLs and incoming data for viruses, and aborts connections to the site if one is found.
P2P Shield — Scans P2Pfiles from file share programs.
IM Shield — Instant Messaging protection. (Scanning of files transferred through instant messaging applications)
Script Shield — Scans webpages for malicious scripts, and disables them from infecting your computer, though they can still be used. (for example, a clickable button)
Network Shield — Basic protection against well-known network worms. Acts as an Intrusion Detection System.
Behavior Shield — Reports suspicious behavior by analyzing the behavior of programs.

Quoted from Wikipedia.

stonebear · 26 Aug 2011

Thanks, I was looking for something like that and couldn't find it. :)

JaidynM · 26 Aug 2011

No problem, mate.

preiius · 26 Aug 2011

So what's lightest combination we can choose for good enough protection?

file system + web + behaviour

stonebear · 26 Aug 2011

preiius said:

So what's lightest combination we can choose for good enough protection?

file system + web + behaviour

I did those plus script and network, I thought they sounded worth it.

JaidynM · 26 Aug 2011

preiius said:

So what's lightest combination we can choose for good enough protection?

file system + web + behaviour

Most likely. Though the Network shield would be helpful too.

gautam7 · 26 Aug 2011

Well currently script shield doesnot work anyway they have modified the script shield in the new beta which is expected to release soon. One question why you wanted to uninstall shield? Avast is already very light on resourse. I have installed all the shield (even script shield which does not work) and uninstalled only webrep and gadget these two are not security measure so i think they are unnesesary. I think you should install filesystem shield, web shield, network shield and behaviour shield.