I’m using Avast Free Antivirus (19.8.2393 (build 19.8.4793.544), on Windows 10 Pro 1909.
I have, via Windows PC Settings, disabled all access to my web cam and microphone and yet every single day Avast notifies me to test the webcam security. When it runs the test it obviously fails because I’ve blocked all access, but Avast offers no ability to switch off this test. So now every single day the app shows the warning blue dot and I am forced to check because I don’t know whether it’s the erroneous webcam warning or an actual security threat.
Can I stop Avast trying to run this test? I appreciate that many of the ‘tests’ are sales tools, but this test is faulty as it doesn’t recognise that my camera can’t be accessed by any apps and yet continually demands that I test it. Unfortunately this endless test has turned Avast antivirus software into a nuisance rather than a reassurance.
I do hope something can be done. Any help would be gratefully received.
Strange, I set up a new Windows 10 Pro system 4 days ago with Avast free.
I haven’t seen that popup at all. Did get a popup telling me I’m using a generic Firewall.
Thank you both for your comments. The endless webcam ‘test’ has been going on for around two weeks. Reading the other post; that seems to relate to the purchased software. If it is the case that this daily test can only be stopped by buying a licence then I’ll see if Avast can confirm that and if so I will look for a safer alternative and uninstall.
This false warning is a security threat; as you either have to go through a pointless test to clear the warning every day, or just ignore it, which is obviously a risk.
I do appreciate Avast builds in ‘sales tools’ but this one creates risk rather than incentivizes an upgrade.
Thank you for the information. I will try an uninstall/clean install and see if that changes anything.
If after all that I still get the same daily test notifications I will see if I can post a screenshot of the webcam test window.
I performed a full uninstall (using Avast Clear) followed by an offline installation as per web instructions.
Webcam test warning reappeared as before. A screenshot of the test window is included here. As mentioned I have completely disabled the camera from within Window 10’s settings so I expect the test to fail. The issue is that Avast provides no option to prevent repeated daily false warnings to retest the camera.
I’m not sure if Avast follow the forum or whether I should post this elsewhere. Any suggestions gratefully received
Thank you for the suggestion, unfortunately tests do not appear to be a removable option.
I have File, Behaviour, Web and Mail Shields enabled along with the Do Not Disturb Mode.
All other selectable options are unticked/not-installed and these seem unrelated to the web cam shield or any testing options.
Software Updater, Browser Cleanup, Rescue Disk, Wi-Fi Inspector, Security browser extension, Safe Price browser extension, Passwords and Cleanup.
It does appear you might have to purchase an Avast subscription to stop it running tests, but I’m not sure if it is simply my set up that is triggering the continual daily notification to run a test Avast can’t complete. I doubt I’m the only person using Avast having disabled app access to their webcam (via Windows 10 PC Settings) but I don’t know for sure.
