Avast Free 6 on XP SP-3 issue: Web Shield blocks Internet Access

[system]

It took me a while to figure this out:

After installing Avast Free 6, I can’t go anywhere in FireFox or IE. Firewall shut off completely.

I eventually disabled the Web Shield, and now I can get out to the Internet. Uninstalled and re-install Avast, no good, problem is still there. So, for now, I just have to leave Web Shield disabled.

With the Web Shield enabled, web sites eventually time out. In IE, after a while, it offers to do Diags, and HTTP/HTTPS and FTP all fail.

Is this a known issue?

[DavidR]

Yes, it is a known issue that firewalls block avast’s avastSvc.exe, which would block internet connectivity as it is blocking the web shield.

HTTPS shouldn’t fail as the web shield doesn’t monitor https secure encrypted traffic.

What is your firewall ?
Does it allow avastSvc.exe internet access ?

• If it does delete the entry for it and reconnect to the internet, this should force the firewall to ask permission again.

If you have the XP firewall this shouldn’t be an issue as it has ZERO outbound firewall protection. So it is likely to be something else.

Have (or did) you another Anti-Virus installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?

[system]

@DavidR post:2

Yes, it is a known issue that firewalls block avast’s avastSvc.exe, which would block internet connectivity as it is blocking the web shield.

XP Firewall was OFF totally.

@DavidR post:2

HTTPS shouldn’t fail as the web shield doesn’t monitor https secure encrypted traffic.

Well, that’s what the IE diagnostic reported…

@DavidR post:2

What is your firewall ?
Does it allow avastSvc.exe internet access ?

• If it does delete the entry for it and reconnect to the internet, this should force the firewall to ask permission again.

Firewall was the XP firewall… NO outgoing scrutiny.

@DavidR post:2

If you have the XP firewall this shouldn’t be an issue as it has ZERO outbound firewall protection. So it is likely to be something else.

NOPE… It WAS Avast’s Web Shield, as I stated. Every time I turn Web Shield on, I can’t go anywhere… When I turned it off, I can surf normally. I’ve done it multiple times to verify this. In BOTH Firefox and IE.

@DavidR post:2

Have (or did) you another Anti-Virus installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?

This unit had Norton, but I removed it. Web access was fine until I installed Avast. Never seen this issue before, and I’ve been using Avast since version 4.

[system]

First, you could try using the appropriate removal utility for the specific AV you used to had (even if was a long time ago). Check for some removal tools at http://thewebatom.net/uninstallers/security-software/, download it, then reboot into Windows Safe Mode and run it under that condition.

Once again in Normal Mode, got to Avast main GUI → Web shield (activate it) → EXPERT settings → “…well known browsers only”.

Please reboot, test and report back.

[DavidR]

@tcw post:3

@DavidR post:2

If you have the XP firewall this shouldn’t be an issue as it has ZERO outbound firewall protection. So it is likely to be something else.

NOPE… It WAS Avast’s Web Shield, as I stated. Every time I turn Web Shield on, I can’t go anywhere… When I turned it off, I can surf normally. I’ve done it multiple times to verify this. In BOTH Firefox and IE.

Unfortunately not always correct as when there is conflict, removing one part of the conflict resolves it, but it doesn’t find the true culprit. I would certainly advise the Norton removal tool as suggested as a first port of call.

[system]

Used the Norton Removal Tool, STILL no effect. Problem is still present…

Any other ideas?

[system]

@ady4um post:4

Once again in Normal Mode, got to Avast main GUI → Web shield (activate it) → EXPERT settings → “…well known browsers only”.

Please reboot, test and report back.

This seems to have solved the issue… In previous versions this was not necessary…

Also tested with Google Chrome… OK

Thanks for the help everyone…