Cannot get on the internet after installing avast 4.0

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I installed the new version of home edition avast. I rebooted and now when I try to get on the internet my PC cannot, it begins to open but 10 minutes later it is still attempting. The only way I could get to this forum was to turn off avast to get on the internet to email for help! How unsafe is this! I hve windows XP, Dell intell, and cable hookup to the internet, but that is as far as a techy I can be. Please speak in non-tech when responding… Thanks, wgacr

2

Are you sure you installed avast 4.0, the latest version is 4.6.652?

What is your firewall?
What is your browser?
It soundls like your firewall is blocking the web shield process.

Check this out - http://www.avast.com/eng/webshield_issues.html