avast! free for Mac -- Webshield blocks LOTRO Mac Client access

This is mostly an FYI rather than a bug report.
The Mac Client for LOTRO uses HTTP to patch the client BEFORE login to the MMO takes place.

Symptom:
If access to the patch server is “restricted” the Mac Client will fail to patch, with an infinite loop while reporting: “An update error occurred”; a retry counter countdown from 50 and another failure report.

Since the current patch level cannot be verified, the LOTRO Mac Client will not allow login.
The log file ~/Library/Logs/LotroLauncher.log will show messages to the effect: “Server connection timed out”.

Exactly what is happening I cannot say, however the “fix” is simple enough. You have two options:
1- Disable Webshield completely
2- or – Select Webshield and go to Advanced options:
Click + and add “patch.lotro.com” – http
for the Bullroarer test client, add: “moria.patch.lotro.com” - http

Are there any related “com.avast.proxy” messages in the system log file (/var/log/system.log)?