Avast Free web Shield blocking internet access.

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi Folks;

I updated to the free version of 20.4.2410 yesterday and all internet access died. I’ve tested with Firefox, Chrome, my e-mail, Thunderbird and the game Everquest. Netmaster, a usage monitor I use shows no data inbound to the computer other than Avast processes while the Web shield is on. Turning it (Web shield) off and all internet access is normal. Thanks for the help.

2

https://support.avast.com/en-eu/article/Repair-Antivirus/

3

Thanks for the response. Repair mode ran quickly and changed nothing I’m afraid. I still have to turn off web shield to get to any internet site, including these forums.

4
  • OS…? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP/Build…?)
  • Other security related software installed…?
  • Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?
5

Thanks for the reply.

It’s Windows 7 SP1 64 bit pretty thoroughly updated until support ended in Jan. I’ve used Avast free on all my machines for better than 10 years. Both the windows firewall and the Asus router firewall are running. Malwarebyte anti malware is on the machine but last run in 2015. I think AVG was used before Avast, but it has been a very long time. Thanks for the help.

6

First, be sure to get rid of all remnants of any prior installed AV(s)…!!
→ https://support.avast.com/article/11/

Then:

  1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
  2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.

PS: Regarding Avast & Malwarebytes, see: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/200324-exclusions-for-avast-users/

7

Thank you Asyn;

That seems to have fixed the problem. Everything is normal now. I appreciate the help.

8

You’re welcome.