I agree with you.
I’m waiting for a reasonable reply and a fix for this issue.
I filed a ticket after 3-4 trials they have solution.
But i am not satisfied with that.
The solution is as follows
You can try to turn off the avast! self-defense module by following these steps:
go to: avast! > Settings > Troubleshooting > uncheck ‘Enable avast! self-defense module’ > OK
This setting let me do what i want but if i have to turn off some features of avast which makes my pc vulnerable, in that case why should i pay to avast?
If you are using AIS . Why do you have the Window’s firewall turned on?
Windows Firewall is the affected component, not the cause of this bug.
Even Windows Firewall is completely turned off (it is disabled in all the 3 profiles), the bug is still there.
Windows Firewall is disabled for me also on both my Windows 7 machines.
This is actually a serious bug in Avast. It is also a major security hole.
In order to allow media streaming to my xbox and other devices I have to switch on file and media sharing for public networks.
This is not safe.
Avast is supposed to secure my computers but in fact it creates a major security hole by forcibly switching my systems network profile to public and forcing me to enable sharing on public networks.
So come on AVAST and acknowledge and fix the major security hole avast creates.
Well this need to be fixed for those that are affected by it.
Just to add. This bug only seems to effect Windows 7.
My Windows 8.1 machine has no problems with homegroups with avast premier.
It’s my two Windows 7 machines that break when premier is installed.
I’ve just uninstalled Avast on one of my Windows 7 machines and homegroups now work fine also the advanced sharing settings have switched back to ‘Home’
I have now just installed Avast free edition and homegroups still works. It looks like it’s definitely the Firewall component on Avast Premier(and Internet security) that breaks everthing.
Hey guys I’ve raised a ticket on this issue since it has been affecting me for the last few weeks and many hours of research and uinstalling/reinstalling etc. Windows 7 Pro was affected. Windows 8.1 changed itself to public (but was able to change it back at least inside Avast)
Version occurred since 2014.9.0.2016 and is still existant in 2018 too
I only was able to get my network profile back after uninstalling Avast. The only way to see the current set profile
Network and Sharing Centre > Change Advanced sharing settings > Private/Public will show as (current Profile) which does not match what you see under ‘View your basic network information’ making the problem very difficult to find
From Avast support after raising my ticket:
We have found a bug in our program. It will repaired it in next avast release. Now, your customers should disable avast SelfDefence in program there: Settings / Troubleshooting / untick "Enable avast! self-defense module"
First thing i notice is that you are using AIS and have Windows firewall ON. Try using the Firewall built into AIS and turn Windows Firewall OFF. There is probably some conflict.
No Windows Firewall is off.
But avast still changes the profile to Public which breaks homegroups
Its a confirmed bug in Avast. As per my previous post you need to Settings / Troubleshooting / untick "Enable avast! self-defense module in the interim to workaround it until the next update
Confirmed bug? Maybe they need to tell their 24x7 support. I called in last night and the guy told me that it was a problem with the program I was using, not Avast. I was using Windows Explorer to share files! The guy kept referring to my LAN as the Internet! Dude, big difference between my LAN and the Internet.
I had been using the free Avast AV, but decided I needed a little more protection. I guess Avast decided I needed a lot more protection by keeping me from sharing files, and printers. I hope this gets fixed soon. I’m going to try the troubleshooting tip mentioned above. If that doesn’t work, I might revert back to the free AV until they get this fixed.
Within the time of last post and now, avast have realesed a patch that solved this bug, I can confirme this in my two computers running avast internet security.
I have Avast Internet security 2015.10.0.2206 and network profile sometimes changes from home to public, last time, during windows 7 start today. It is really annoying!