Hello again, this is a guide for all of you using the best e-mail client Thunderbird with Avast Antivirus. The guide is originally a blog post from avast forums but it was a bit confusing so I’m trying to make it a bit more understanding.
The problem
In order to make Avast scan the incoming and outgoing emails with Thunderbird there is some settings and setups to do. Because Thunderbird encrypts the emails using SSL or TLS Avast cant scan them for virus and other damaging code. To make this work, thunderbird has to be set to send and receive unencrypted so Avast can scan them and then we need to encrypt them once again.
Todo this…
We need 2 programs,
- OPENSSL, download here
http://www.slproweb.com/products/Win32OpenSSL.html - STUNNEL, download here
http://www.stunnel.org/download/binaries.html
Then, unpack and install OPENSSL and STUNNEL wherever you want.
Now we need to make some config changes in stunnel, goto the map you just installed stunnel in. Rightclick on stunnel.conf and open with notepad, if you dont know how to do this you could create a new text document.
Type;
client=yes
[gmail-pop3s]
accept=127.0.0.1:11110
connect=pop.gmail.com:995[gmail-smtps]
accept=localhost:11025
connect=smtp.gmail.com:465
This is the settings used for gmail. You can use your ISP custom settings as well by changing smtp and pop. I will go through this guide using gmail.
Save this document as stunnel.conf
Now doubble click on Stunnel.exe (the icon that looks like a network map). Now you should be able to see the same network-map in the right corner of the screen. Double click it to view the Log to see if there is any errors, it should look something like this:
Config Avast
Right-click on the avast logo in the right corner,
Choose On-Access protection control
Goto Internet Mail
Click on the Customize button.
Goto Redirect.
Enter these ports:
POP: 110,1110,1120,11110
SMTP: 25,215,225,1025,11025
Uncheck “Ignore local connection”
It should look something like this:
Now avast is setup and we need to make the final touches in Thunderbird.
Thunderbird settings
In thunderbird, goto Tools / Account settings
Server settings for POP is:
- Server: localhost
- Port: 11110
- Username: Your gmail accountname
- Never use secure settings.
Server settings for SMTP:
- Server: localhost
- Port: 11025
- Username: Your gmail username
- Never use secure settings.
Thats it!
Now thunderbird should be able to send and recieve emails. If you are using any anti SPAM software, check out the blog post on avast forum for information of how to implement that.
Here is some related links:
On the 29th March alwit software released Avast antivirus v4.8.
The new version of AVG is out now, the AVG Internet Security 8.0 got some new cool features. It searches the url string before entering site to check for evil code. It also got link scan that searches every link you come across when surfing the net. It even scans search results on googel, yahoo & MSN and some 
