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General discussion

Firewall blocking access to external drive

Dec 4, 2010 10:51AM PST

I have a WD drive plugged into Belkin hub. I can access the drive if I disable the AVG 9.0 firewall. How do I tell AVG to trust the drive? Vista 64 bit windows if that matters. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Firewall blocking access to external drive
Dec 4, 2010 12:12PM PST

Hi arthurmc,

If it is blocked by AVG Firewall and you know the IP address of the device, you can add it to the IP address whitelist:

- Open AVG UI and click Tools -> Firewall settings
- Profiles -> <active profile> -> Defined networks -> double click IP address whitelist
- Click Add IP and fill in IP address of the device

The IP address will be always allowed for both incoming and outgoing traffic.

Thanks,

Jan

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Need more info (not a techy!)
Dec 4, 2010 11:57PM PST

Thanks. The help tech from Belkin told me I had to do something with a hardware setting. I know the IP for the router, is that what you mean? How will that protect me when I'm logged onto the internet then? Would the hub that is plugged into the router have its own IP address?

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IP of HDD
Dec 5, 2010 2:28AM PST

Hello,

By allowing router IP, only communication from the router IP will be allowed, not all communication from the internet.
You should be safe allowing your router in AVG Firewall.

Could you described how is the harddrive connected to the router? Is it via UTP cable? (The one used to connect your computer to the router) or is it with usb cable?

If it is connected via UTP cable, then harddrive most likely has its own IP adress. In that case that is the one that needs to be allowed.

Thanks

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Worse now...
Dec 5, 2010 4:39AM PST

I did find the IP address for the drive/hub. I have a belkin USB hub that is plugged into the router with a UTP cable, and the drive is plugged into the hub via USB. I put the IP address into AVG as a trusted network...only I accidentally put it in the unsafe section. Then I marked it safe. But in the process now the hub won't see the drive anymore!

I had this problem when I first hooked it up, but I fixed it my changing the network name to mshome. Then, it would see the drive but I couldn't connect to it unless I disabled the firewall. I removed the IP from AVG completely, but still can't see the drive with or without the firewall. I've made a bigger mess basically! Aargh! My other laptop still shows up on the network, so it doesn't have to dowith renaming the network.

What have I done?!

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Nevermind! Success!!
Dec 5, 2010 4:50AM PST

Okay, so I unplugged etc teh drive and it showed up, and I added teh hub IP to the safe network list and tadah! Thanks so much. Sorry for the confusion on my part!

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Or not....
Dec 5, 2010 7:36AM PST

I shut down the computer for a few hours. I now have the problem of being able to see the devices in the hub software as being connected, but they do not show up in my network now. The FAQ for the hub says that this is still a firewall problem. However, when I disable the firewall, there is no change. I can't see the drives in windows explorer. Once again...thanks.

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Disable AVG
Dec 6, 2010 3:55AM PST

Hello,

Please try to disable AVG completely as per our FAQ 3857:
http://www.avg.com/ww-en/faq.num-3857

If that still does not help, there is most likely some other issue causing you not to be able to connect to the drive.

Thanks

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Can't find that option
Dec 6, 2010 12:01PM PST

I don't have the temp. disable option referred to in the FAQ.

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Re: Can't find that option
Dec 6, 2010 5:26PM PST

Hello arthurmc,

please accept our apologies for incorrect information in previous Dusan_AVG's post. Mentioned option is available in AVG 2011.

One important question, is the IP address of Belkin device static or is received from router through DHCP service? (this service can change the address of device, which is allowed in AVG Firewall).

AVG Firewall is component of paid AVG and its behavior needs deeper analysis of diagnostics. Please contact our AVG technical support, which have enough tools to help you with this situation, on address:

http://www.avg.com/ww-en/customer-support

Or use the option in AVG -> menu Tools -> Get Help Online

Thank you

P.S.-Please provide AVG support also with information, if "Allow all" firewall profile will solve this unpleasant situation.

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I submitted a request
Dec 11, 2010 12:21PM PST

I submitted a request on line for help. I am able, tonight, to see and access drives with the firewall disabled, after deleting the IP address for the protected network. But it has been hit and miss prior to this wiht the protected network. One drive would show up in WE and the other not, and yet both were connected.

I will post what we figure out. Thanks. I had originally tried the online help but when the webpage said 'premium' and what not, I figured they were going to charge me so I came here. I see now that is not the case.

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FAQ worked for me
Dec 16, 2010 11:41AM PST