Network question with AVG 8.0

I'm using 8.0 (not free) on 3 XP Home SP3 computers. In order to see the other computers and printers, I had to follow instructions in AVG faq #813, which requires that I go into Tools/Firewall settings/Profiles/Small home or office network. Then open "System Services" and look for "Microsofft file sharing and printing", and set it to Allow for All. In this state, the network performs perfectly, however, on the same FAQ it warns that "if the computer is connected directly to the Internet the "Allow for All" should be changed to "Allow for Safe". You must then go into "Defined Networks" and add a new network and list the ip address range, which I did. I entered 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.106, which includes the ips of all computers and printers. In this state, the network doesn't work at all other than Internet access.

My question is, is it safe to run this in "Allow for All" condition. I am using a router to network the computers and access the Internet. Is this considered to be "connected directly to the Internet?" IF so, then I assume it is not a good idea.

Also, I'd like to hear about any suggestions to get it to work with the "Allow for Safe" setup. If I could get that to work, that would be better.

Thanks

Morgan

Please let us inform you that your router must be able to block the incomming and outgoing MS File and printer sharing requests from internet in case you would like to let the traffic open for all networks.

The best suitable way is also allowing all communication in your local network by creating the rule which will allow all traffic in your safe network only:

- open the firewall settings -> go to "System services" -> "Add"
button
System rule details: Allow for safe
System rule action: click "Add" button
Defined services: mark "All Traffic"
Defined networks: mark safe networks only
- confirm the rule creation by "OK" button

If the issue will persist, please send us AVG diagnostics. Please follow these steps to help us find the cause of the issue:

There is the AvgFwDiag8.zip file attached to this e-mail. This archive file contains a diagnostic tool AvgFwDiag.exe.

1. Run AVG User Interface, choose the "Firewall settings" option from the "Tools" menu. Select the "Profiles" -> your default profile (e.g.
"Standalone computer") -> "System services" from the left tree menu.
Check the "Log unknown incoming traffic" tick box and confirm changes by clicking "OK". If it is not possible to do that for any reason, please skip this step and continue with the next one.

2. Now please extract the content of the AvgFwDiag8.zip file to an empty folder on your hard drive*.

3. Navigate to that folder and run the AvgFwDiag.exe file. Press "1"
key to activate debug logging, confirm with Enter and restart your computer.

4. After the computer restart, please try to induce the problem, then run AvgFwDiag.exe again and use the "5" key to gather diagnostic files. A folder with file "avgfwdiag_[date].zip will be opened automatically. If there are more problems you wish to report, repeat this step with each of them. Every pressing of the "5" key will create another avgfwdiag_... .zip file.

5. Wait 4-5 minutes and gather files with "5" key once again, it will create another avgfwdiag file.

6. Finally use the "3" key in the AvgFwDiag.exe tool to disable debug logging of Firewall and shut down the AvgFwDiag tool ("6" key).

7. Un-check the logging of "Incoming" traffic now (see the 1st step).

8. Please send us all created avgfwdiag archived log files that were created in the opened folder:
Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\avg8\dumps Windows Vista C:\ProgramData\avg8\dumps

* If you use the Windows Vista operating system, please disable the User Account Control now. You can disable/enable "User Account Control" (UAC) this way:
"Start" -> "Settings" -> "Control Panel" -> "User Accounts" -> "Turn User Account Control on or off" -> restart