Alan Spicer Marine Telecom Main BLOG

* A lot of yachts are using the AVG Free Anti-Virus software made by Grisoft.com. Several yacht customers are purchasing the paid version: AVG Internet Security version 8. This version has a Full Firewall that you may not be used to since the free version did not have that. This breaks some things that your computer wants to do on the local area network. Here's how to get back one of the important things: File and Printer Sharing...

I've made a lab with 2 Windows XP computers and installed AVG Internet Security v.8. I've figured out the steps to allow Windows File and Printer Sharing. This needs to be done on all computers with AVG 8 installed.

How to allow File and Printer Sharing in AVG Internet Security Version 8.

1.) Open Start > Control Panel > Firewall and disable Windows Firewall. If you just instal-
led AVG 8 on this particular computer then chances are this got done for you by AVG.

2.) Double click the AVG icon on the bottom Task Bar by the clock. This opens the AVG
Internet Security control center.

3.) Double click on the Firewall icon in the Security Components and status overview. This
opens the Firewall Component.

4.) Look in this window at Firewall settings section. Make sure you know what your
Selected Firewall profile: is. (Recommend: Small home or office network.) If you aren't set
at this profile run the Configuration Wizard again and select: Small home or office network.

I will use "Small home or office network" from now on in these instructions, so if you are
not using that adjust accordingly these instructions.

5.) In the menus at the top of the AVG Internet Security window click on:

Tools > Firewall Settings

Another window box opens. This is Firewall Settings.

6.) Click on the "+" to the left of "small office or home network". The tree of settings now
expands below that.

7.) Click to highlight "System services".

8.) Click the "Add" button. New system rule opens.

9.) Change the name of "New system rule" to "File and Printer Sharing" that way later if
you view it you know what it is there for.

10.) Change the "System Rule Details" drop down box from "Block" to "allow for all".

11.) Under "System Rule Action" click the "Add" button.

12.) Below that in the list of "Service name" scroll down to find "SMB - Microsoft Printer
and File Sharing". Check the box to the left of that. Don't check any other boxes in there.

13.) At the bottom of that window box click "Apply" and "OK" buttons one after the other.

14.) You've just allowed FILE AND PRINTER SHARING to this computer's AVG Firewall.

* * * * Do this for all computers with AVG Internet Security version 8

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Alan Spicer
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
http://www.marinetelecom.net

954-683-3426