Avast custom install - what are the shields?

[stonebear]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[JaidynM]

No problem, mate.

 

[preiius]

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

file system + web + behaviour

 

[stonebear]

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]

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]

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.

 

[stonebear]

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.

Personally, I did it because sometimes these things can lead to unexpected complications....however there was probably/hopefully no need as Avast seems to be a pretty decent piece of software.

 

[gautam7]

Personally, I did it because sometimes these things can lead to unexpected complications....however there was probably/hopefully no need as Avast seems to be a pretty decent piece of software.

Yes avast is petty decent and rest assured the shield of avast don't conflict with each other, if you have any other program to monitor other thing then only you should uninstall those shield. I personally have disabled the web shield of online armor so that webshield of online armor and avast don't collide. There are many other user who has used both shield with no conflict. Apart from that there are no reason to uninstall any shield IMO.

File system shield is the most demanding shield because it accesses the HDD all the time other shield are only active when relevent data hit the HDD. Sure they use some memory but the difference is really so minimal i don't think anyone would notice it even with a memory monitoring program.

 

[JaidynM]

If you want minimal shields running, I would recommend:

Network + File + Web + Behavious

Though if your system can handle the AV software as a whole, there's really no point in unchecking any of them. There's never such thing as too much protection so for the most efficient results in virus detection, let avast! do its job fully. You can always change the settings later if it lags up your computer.