Firefox 5.0 error: Disabled incompatible add-on "avast! WebRep 20110101"
Last night, I updated Firefox to 5.0 according to Firefox's exhortations. I also updated Avast's (free) engine, program, and virus definitions. I don't recall which I did first, FF or Avast, but I got the FF error
Incompatible Add-ons Found
Some of your add-ons won't work with this update, and will be disabled. As soon as they are made compatible, Firefox will update and re-enable these add-on:
avast! WebRep 20110101
Today, I went through the motions of all of the above Avast updates, though I'm not sure if there was anything new to update.
I tried to navigate to some applications panel on FF to see whether the above add-on was re-enabled. Tools->AddOns isn't it, it simply has a bunch of tabs, one of which is *Get* Add-ons.
I have the following two questions:
1. How do I view the add-ons that haven been added on to FF (I expect that some might be designated as disabled, perhaps even the one mentioned above).
2. What does this add-on do? Is it different from Web Shield, which is shown as running?
Wšykne wótegrona (5)
This fix is very simple, just type in run "appwiz.cpl" without quotes (this command will display you add or remove programs) go to avast program, press on change/remove and a new window of avast options is prompted, select Update and in right options Check for updates and, next, next, finish. This will refresh the installer package and automatically the webrep addon will be modified to current version of your browser.
Wót mcmwhfy změnjony
The Avast folks suggested going to their beta version, which addresses this. Their beta is more stable than the currently released AV. I'm going to consider the options, including your recommendation. Thanks!
I did all that you suggested, but there were no updates available from Avast (as expected, because Avast is always updating on its own)..I was already up to date. I honestly don't think that going to a beta/inferior version of Avast is wise. IN ADDITION, as I upgraded to Firefox 6.0, it mentioned other add-ons were incompatible and were disabled...Java Console 6.0.24, Java Console 6.0.26, and Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.2.1 ...don't know how important these things are or how I'll be affected ...looks like Avast is not working with my Firefox browser now, according to that warning. Why so many months of a Firefox update available with no compatibility with a major virus checker like this (& other major add-ons)? I kept putting off the update, and now I'm not sure I did the right thing by updating.
Wót sliguori změnjony
Web Rep toolbar
The toolbar installed into Firefox by Avast (any many other security application have their own similar toolbar) and should be considered optional, but is force-installed by the 3rd-party application. I do not use the toolbar supplied with my security application as it is an extra burden on the browser and duplicates a function built-in t0 Firefox, the Safe Browsing component. I depend on the Safe Browsing component in Firefox to keep me away from known malicious sites. All other parts of your Avast application should still be working as it should, in the background, to protect you. You can post on the Avast forum and receive information and reassurance there.
- Firefox's Safe Browsing: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/
- Sample warning screens:
Java Console
Unless you do Java programming/development or debug Java applets on web pages, you do not need Java Console. Removing the Java Console extensions has no effect on the functioning of Java for web browsing. You can see, but not remove, the Java Console extensions in Add-ons > Extensions. Java Console extensions can be safely removed manually by following the instructions in this article:
Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant
This add-on was force-installed into Firefox a year and a half ago by a monthly Windows/Microsoft update. Microsoft .NET Framework is not even required on most (maybe 95% or even more) of Windows-based systems. It is very doubtful that you have ever encountered a web site or an application installation that requires .NET Framework. You can ignore it unless you load a website or install a program that says it is required.
If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when signed-in to the forum.
Not related to your question, but...
You need to update some plug-ins:
- Plug-in check: https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
- Shockwave Flash (Adobe Flash or Flash): Updating Flash in Firefox
- Next Generation Java Plug-in for Mozilla browsers: Installing or Updating Java in Firefox
Wót SafeBrowser změnjony
Thank you for all this good info, Safebrowser. From what I could see when I opened Avast, it didn't seem that its function protecting web browsing was impaired, so it helps knowing that the "WebRep" warning applies only to the toolbar.