Avast, Firefox 25 and Disqus

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’ve noticed that ever since I upgraded my Avast to 2014.9.0.2008 that any website that uses Disqus for user comments, the comment areas no longer display in Firefox. It’s not just a few sites but it’s every site I regularly visit that uses Disqus. There is no error message or pop-up, it’s as if the comment areas don’t exist. I am currently using Firefox 25.0.1 and if I disable the Avast extension in Firefox’s Add-On Manager the Disqus comment areas will now appear. As nice as it is to get these comment sections working, I do not consider this an appropriate fix for the problem. Is there another way to solve this issue?

Thanks,
Bill : )

2

you didn’t say which version of “avast” you are using, “avast free”, “avast pro” or “avast internet security”?

3

Oh sorry, I’m using Avast Free 2014.9.0.2008 on Windows Vista 32-bit SP2. I’ve also noticed that if I use Internet Explorer the Disqus comment areas work just fine.

4

avast! Online Security plugin blocks Disqus among many other social “gadgets” on the internet. Click on the avast! logo in the browser, go to Social Networks blocked section (first flip switch). It will expand. Look for Disqus on the list and click on the flip swith next to Disqus to change it into red colored switch. This should only allow Disqus but continue on blocking everything else like it did before.

5

RejZoR,

Thanks for your suggestions. I tried changing those settings and it works great. I was actually surprised by all the content that Avast was blocking from different sites such as CNN and Engadget. The only problem is the changes are only good for the current session of Firefox. When I close and reopen Firefox it goes right back to blocking disqus and other comment sections. Isn’t there a way to make the setting changes permanent? Also, why is this only a problem within Firefox?

6

This is not just Firefox 25; I’m seeing it on multiple versions of Firefox, bot the public and esr channels, from versions 24 to 28. I’m also seeing it with Chrome.

7

Like i’ve explained it back in November 2013. It’s really not a bug, it’s a feature. Ghostery is also blocking Disqus the same way.

8

Why are you using an old (and therefore insecure) version of Firefox?

9

I’m not. The esr branch is on a different and lower version number track. Also, this problem has been around a while.

10

My question was addressed to the OP.

Yep, I know the problem has been around for a while. You only have to look at the number of threads about it (AOS) here.

Avast simply tried to make AOS do too much all at once. They need to strip it back, then add functions one at a time. At present I wouldn’t touch it (in Firefox) with a barge pole.

11

This really isn’t a problem. It’s by design. Ghostery is doing the same thing and as far as i know Abine’s DoNotTrackMe as well.