3.0.684 and error message "proxy server"

[Brummelchen]

after upgrading to this build i get this error message

Personal firewall: An error occurred while starting proxy server. Checking of application protocols (POP3, HTTP) will not work.

first - i used the german build 672 (no message)
then i upgraded (custom installation) and hold the german lang-files
a week later i checked my log (see above)

today i uninstalled all and did a clean install - same issue.
i set my settings after the bug occured.

so - what to do now?

System is WinXP SP3 with all updates.

i dont assume an error here - i assume a bug in EAV

[funkydude]

So you're using EAV or ESS? Have you ever used ESS?

[Brummelchen]

i had middle last year ESS installed, but it was cleaned up with an image.
but that wont answer why it happens on build 684 and not 672!