I upgraded from Avast 4.8 to 5.0.594 about a week ago. Since upgrading, I am not able to connect to the internet while Avast is operating. Avast stops Internet Explorer, Firefox and Newsleecher from connecting.
It is not blocking internet access completely, because the utility I use to measure my ISP usage is able to connect, and when I run the “Download test file” function to measure the download speed, it is able to download the test file at my normal maximum speed.
The only way I can access the internet fully is to disable all shields. Just disabling the web shield is not sufficient. With the web shield alone disabled, I can use my web browsers most of the time, but Newsleecher is still blocked.
I had none of these problems with Avast 4.8
I did a full boottime scan with Avast 5 and it found no problems. I also did full scans with Malwarebytes and Superantispyware, and no problems were found.
I have given full permission to Avast in Online Armor and Superantispyware.
I have uninstalled Avast 5, run the Avast removal tool in Safe Mode, and then reinstalled.
I run Online Armor Pro firewall, Superantispyware Pro resident, Windows XP Pro SP3.
I have used Avast for several years, but I am very close to shifting to another product. I hope someone can help with this.
Try removing the avast entries from Online Armor Pro FW, restarting your computer, and then try connecting to the internet again. OAFW should ask again to allow avast and, of course, you should allow anything from avast.
If the above does not work, I am sure the users of OAFW here will give farther help.
EDIT :
Thanks David - somehow I read that wrong and have made changes above.
I have deleted all entries for avast in Online Armor - both in program permission and internet access. I then put Onlin Armor in Learning Mode and restarted my computer. Online Armor starts in Learning mode, but there is difference at all - Avast still blocks browser access to the internet.
I don’t understand why you think that it is a firewall problem. Online Armor is not stopping Avast from updating and it is not stopping access to the internet. Full access returns immediately that I turn off the Avast shields.
avast (not AIS) doesn’t block (it isn’t a firewall), it hasn’t got that functionality, it scans and alerts to infection, but doesn’t block.
If there is an apparent blocking then that is usually a firewall blocking the web shield (avastSvc.exe) or a conflict between security applications (commonly another AV or remnants of one).
Since you previously had avast 4.8 it is unlikely to be that, which doesn’t leave much else.
Conflict is a two way thing, remove one element and no conflict, but it doesn’t pin down the culprit.
Do you use a proxy to connect to the internet, as that is about the only thing we haven’t tried ?
Try the avast settings, Updates, Proxy Settings, change the option to Direct connection (no proxy) if you don’t use a proxy, rather than the Auto detect (use Internet Explorer settings).
Whilst these settings are under the Update section, I believe they may well have an impact elsewhere.
I’m having the exact same issue. I have Windows 7 64 and only use the Windows Firewall. To the best of my knowledge Avast has full internet access, yet, when I boot up I can’t open Avast and I can’t get to the internet. I’ve found that svchost is running at 25% and if I kill this process Avast will open and web pages will start opening. I have to repeat this process a dozen times or so and then I can use the internet normally. I’ve used Avast for a very long time and been very happy, but right now I would like to go back to 4.8 until the bugs are out of 5.
Edit: If I completely disable ALL the shields the problem is alleviated, however, each time I boot I have to get Avast to open before I get complete control of the computer. Once I get it open I can stop the svchost one last time and then I can get to the internet, but not before.
I have also had this problem since upgrading to V5… about a week or so ago,
I run
Windows XP professional
Avast! (free)
Online Armor (Free)
Skype works fine but Internet explorer and firefox are both blocked(ie will start but wont load and web pages)
online armor doesnt seem to be blocking anything from avast and its on the safe programs list.
This is all abit too boring for me so i’m going to switch to a new antivirus and check back here in a week or so and see if its been resolved (if i remember). Its a shame because ive been using Avast for 2-3 years no problem.
P.S.
I saw that someone mentioned using “the avast removal tool in safe mode” to get rid of all the program dregs, is this important when switching to a new antivirus, if so how do i do it thank you please…
I suggest that you read my Reply #2 above, in relation to deleting the entry for avast in OA and putting it into learning mode. That is where the problem lies and not with avast, we have seen it before on many occasions.
