Avast Online Security Add-on for Firefox Can Block Legit Sites

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

No videos were playing on tvcatchup.com and an error message was displayed on every channel stating ad-blocking should be turned off. Turning off Ad-block+ add-on for the site solved no problems. Searching Host files I saw no entry that would block the site. After 24 hrs of investigation I finally found out that Avast Online Security had started blocking alll video streams to tvcatchup.com so if you are having same issues and have Avast Online Security add-on enabled try disabling it and there is a very good chance it will work again.

2

Please mention the exact version of avast, your os (and service pack(s)), as well as any other security software you have installed.

3

Avast 2014.9.0.2006
avast! Online Security 9.0.2006.53 plugin for Firefox
Firefox v 24
Windows XP SP3
Zone Alarm basic.

Issue is definitely related to avast! Online Security 9.0.2006.53 being active.

NB: The above version of Avast program was rolled out a couple of days ago.

4

I am having a problem with any site that uses Disqus to support their comment section. Avast! Online Security 9.0.2006.53 allows the Disqus.com but blocks the Disquscdn.com script when used with Firefox.

5

Canopus,
you are using a old(er) version of avast. Current version is 2014.9.0.8
I suggest you use avastclear to remove the current installation and then install the latest version.

escape,
disqus (and likes) is hosted on the same IP as a lot of malicious websites.
That is why it is blocked.

6

Incorrect, that version was up to date when I first posted, I always keep Avast up to date and my current version is 2014.9.0.2008. The site itself is not blocked, it’s the video that is blocked. The last address that was attempted to be accessed before it failed seems to be Cloudfront where the video itself comes from. As soon as Avast Online Security plugin is disabled (v 9.0.2006.53) then there is no problem viewing videos.

7

Have you tried just enabling Ad Tracking.

8

Further to my previous post,

note that for the settings to be saved, cookies must be enabled as per screen shot.

9

OMG, enabling Ad Tracking worked. I do have cookies enabled, but, not third party cookies. Nevertheless it saves settings even with third party cookies disabled. I will contact the techie at tvcatchup.com whom I’ve been working with to solve this and let him know how to run Online Security in such a way as to allow the user to see their videos.

Many thanks for what turned out to be a simple solution :slight_smile: