Avast Blocking Access to Internet After Update 18.6.2349

I just updated Avast to version 18.6.2349 and now I can’t open websites in Firefox and Edge. I can successfully ping sites via Windows command prompt but not via my Internet browser. Current solution to my problem is to disable Avast shield control and everything works again. I’m running Windows 10 with all the latest updates.

Any suggesting?

Okay, by messing with the settings I have isolated the problem to the Web Shield component. When I deactivate the Web Shield component everything works again.

Is anyone having a similar issue with Google Chrome?

Disabling a scan isn’t actually going to solve the issue, this could well be your firewall blocking the Web Shield accessing the web.

What is your firewall ?

I never said it was a final solution. But it was more more preferable to just disable the Web Shield component versus disabling Avast entirely, as a temporary solution. And the problem started right after I had restarted my PC after applying the new update.

As for a firewall, I use the inbuilt in Windows 10.

Programs affected by the Web Shield:

OneDrive
Dropbox
Steam
Thunderbird
TeamViewer
qBittorent

Not affected:

Avast
PowerShell
Command Prompt

I have the same problem in my internet. After update 18.6.2349 avast blocking access to DNS.
What’s wrong with the avast update?
I use firewall native from Windows 7, but the firewall doesn’t the problem.
I disable the web shield for use internet, because web shield is blocking access to DNS

Same problem. I have Windows 7. After updating to 18.6.2349, I am having difficulties accessing Chrome, Avast site, Network & Sharing Center etc. I can only turn computer off manually (force shut-down) and even that takes time. When I log in again, it seems o.k., but this sequence of events has happened twice so far today. I am not computer-savvy. What to do?

Hello,

Thank you all for the reports.
We are looking into the issue.

If possible, could you please provide more details like:

Thank you,
Filip

  • Avast Free Antivirus version 18.6.2349
  • Firefox Quantum 61.0.2 (64 bit) & Microsoft Edge 42.17134.1.0. No error messages just a blank constant never ending loading… site.
  • The issue appear instantaneously after the Web Shield component is activated.
  • Does ping of domain work or just ping of IP address?
Ping test with Avast Free Antivirus - Web Shield Turned Off

C:\Users\CK>ping avast.com

Pinging avast.com [77.234.41.52] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 77.234.41.52: bytes=32 time=259ms TTL=53
Reply from 77.234.41.52: bytes=32 time=465ms TTL=53
Reply from 77.234.41.52: bytes=32 time=222ms TTL=53
Reply from 77.234.41.52: bytes=32 time=258ms TTL=53

Ping statistics for 77.234.41.52:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 222ms, Maximum = 465ms, Average = 301ms

C:\Users\CK>ping 77.234.42.85

Pinging 77.234.42.85 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 77.234.42.85: bytes=32 time=174ms TTL=48
Reply from 77.234.42.85: bytes=32 time=151ms TTL=48
Reply from 77.234.42.85: bytes=32 time=156ms TTL=48
Reply from 77.234.42.85: bytes=32 time=516ms TTL=48

Ping statistics for 77.234.42.85:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 151ms, Maximum = 516ms, Average = 249ms

Ping test with Avast Free Antivirus - Web Shield Turned On

C:\Users\CK>ping avast.com

Pinging avast.com [77.234.41.52] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 77.234.41.52: bytes=32 time=289ms TTL=53
Reply from 77.234.41.52: bytes=32 time=232ms TTL=53
Reply from 77.234.41.52: bytes=32 time=428ms TTL=53
Reply from 77.234.41.52: bytes=32 time=362ms TTL=53

Ping statistics for 77.234.41.52:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 232ms, Maximum = 428ms, Average = 327ms

C:\Users\CK>ping 77.234.42.85

Pinging 77.234.42.85 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 77.234.42.85: bytes=32 time=207ms TTL=48
Reply from 77.234.42.85: bytes=32 time=412ms TTL=48
Reply from 77.234.42.85: bytes=32 time=157ms TTL=48
Reply from 77.234.42.85: bytes=32 time=168ms TTL=48

Ping statistics for 77.234.42.85:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 157ms, Maximum = 412ms, Average = 236ms

C:\Users\CK>


-Avast Support Tool File ID V4RYM
-Wireshark PCAP Capture was uploaded to the Avast FTP server. Sites I tried: avast.com, microsoft.com and opening of Steam app.
Filename: File ID V4RYM.rar
RAR package Password: virus

  • For some reason I can’t make a dump file of AvastSvc.exe. When I try I get a Access Denied. It is the same with ProcDump and ProcessHacker. All instances was run as admin.

Awesome, thank you very much!
We’re looking at it right now.

- For some reason I can't make a dump file of AvastSvc.exe. When I try I get a Access Denied. It is the same with ProcDump and ProcessHacker. All instances was run as admin.
Before dumping try turning OFF Avast self-defense (Settings > Troubleshooting) and File Shield. You can also try dumping it just from Windows Task Manager.

Filip

That did it. I have uploaded it to the Avast FTP server.
Filename: File ID V4RYM - AvastSvc.exe Dump File.rar
RAR Package password: virus

We have an idea of what is wrong.
To confirm it, could you please check and post file version of these files:

  • “C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswStreamFilter.dll” (or in your Avast install folder)
  • “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\aswStm.sys”

Thank you,
Filip

so, no one from server side really tested this before putting it in update?
makes you wonder if we are facing another “ccleaner” kind of problem. yeah, i am probably exaggerating, but hey i am a scaredy cat.

Updating through the gui (updating over the top of old installation) could fail to update some older files. Also, using web installer can cause issues such as this due to iffy connections.

https://i.imgur.com/xeJ3XP7.jpg

I find it kinda weird that the language in the aswStreamFilter.dll says Czech when the install language is English ??? Unless this has to do with Avast being a Czech company and nothing with the installation language :wink:

Hi citizenkenneth, thank you for your screen. It seems that aswStreamFilter.dll was not updated to new version on your PC and we need to find out why. Can you please export also “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswRvrt\Parameters” reg key and upload it to our FTP server? Thank you

Lukas

Done

Filename: File ID V4RYM aswRvrt Reg Export.rar
RAR Package Password: virus

Thank you very much. Our developers are working on that

Yes, laptop got stuck completely. I followed the advice on malwarebytesforum and turned off the real site protection. It works…for now.
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/235523-possible-conflict-between-malwarebytes-and-avast/