I have the same problem on windows7 as I see many others are having.
I have also been running Avast for some time with no problems. On 11/24/10 my browsers stopped loading pages and after several attempts I narrowed the concern to the Avast webshield.
I have tried the advice on other posts. Avast has been removed 6 times and reloaded using every way listed in several posts.
I have also manually deleted and made temp folders on the “C” drive and in the Windows folder. Still will not work correctly.
Any one know what is going on, as this seems to be problem on several versions of windows.
I have also scanned my system with no malware found with several scanners, including malwarebytes. I have also restored my system to a few days before this started to occur.
I have tried turning every anti-virus and fire wall software program off, with no change.
Running Win-7, Avast free v5.067 Norton security suite v4.3.0.5. All have currant up dates.
Having two resident scanners installed is one too many and not recommended as rather than provide twice the protection it can cause conflicts that could leave you more vulnerable.
This sounds like conflict with Norton and not avast blocking the browsers but the other way round, the web shield being blocked.
There is no chance of a conflict, as I have removed Norton, Ad aware and any program that could have conflicted with Avast.
I have run my system, not only shutting every thing else off, but have also removed the programs and all traces of them. Then only running Avast trying the browsers again. With the same result.
I can’t think of any thing else that can be done to narrow down the problem to any other program, since Avast is the only program on the computer at this time.
I thought I eluded to this in the leading post. I could use some help with Avast, not in pointing out the obvious possibility. I Have over 25 hours in removing and trying different settings and still having the same problem.