AVG 8 "Feature" Blocks Windows Live Messenger

Thursday June 12, 2008 

Over the course of the last week or so, I’ve noticed that I’ve been having more and more problems logging in to Windows Live Messenger at work.  Usually I would have to try a couple of times to get it to login, but otherwise, it would report that it was attempting to sign in, but would just spin for ten minutes or so before I gave up on it.

This morning I decided that I’d use Pidgin instead, and got this interesting error:

Disconnected: Our protocol is not supported by the server.

WTF?  Microsoft trying to block other IM applications from accessing its server?  No, that wouldn’t make sense, because logging in with WLM should work.  Entered the error message into Google, and it appears to be a known issue with the latest version of AVG 8, but there was a fix listed:

  • Open AVG
  • Click Tools -> Advanced Settings
  • Click on the ‘+’ beside Web Shield to expand it
  • Select Instant Messaging, and untick the "Enable Instant Messaging Shield"
  • After clicking OK you should be able to login to Messenger with no trouble

Note that there are a couple of options for enabling protection on ICQ and MSN.  Simply unchecking the box for MSN Protection isn’t enough.  You’re required to disable the Instant Messaging Shield.

This will also make AVG complain that you’re not fully protected, and it will report that the Web Shield is only partially functional.

Filed Under Security

Comments

5 Responses to “AVG 8 "Feature" Blocks Windows Live Messenger”

  1. Dennis Edell on June 14th, 2008 7:13 pm

    I gave up on WLM long ago, when the new ver8 was incompatible with my Vista OS.

    Hows thar for classic Microsoft….THEIR MESSENGER not compatible with THEIR OS.

    LMAO! Classic MS indeed.

  2. Rod on June 16th, 2008 6:42 am

    That’s pretty funny, but strange at the same time. But I do have to admit to not having tried Messenger on a Vista box. Maybe I should do that someday ;)

  3. Dennis Edell on June 16th, 2008 10:16 am

    Not too strange if you follow MS lol.

    1. The only one I know of where the “security fix” downloads may crash your system.

    2. Remember the LIVE TV rollout of Win98?

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    LOL

  4. Pushkar Bhatkoti on July 17th, 2008 6:06 pm

    Damn,
    not sure when AVG will fix it up.
    The trick is just disable web shield.

    cheers
    pushkar bhatkoti

  5. Windows Live Messenger and AVG problems - Windows Vista Forums on September 7th, 2008 5:35 am

    [...] and AVG problems Newham, Messenger is being blocked by your Avg 8.0. Have you tried this fix? AVG 8 "Feature" Blocks Windows Live Messenger : Rod Templeton __________________ [...]

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