Avast Free Antivirus Version: 21.9.2493
I have the free version of WPS Office installed (along with WPS PDF) and noticed that Avast Free Antivirus blocked two of its apps: ‘dlff_mul_11.2.0.10323_Free_To_11.2.0.10351_free.exe’ and ‘WPS PDF.’
Q: Why were they blocked and can they be unblocked (or left blocked)?
Answer:
The information would be appreciated.
You can report a suspected FP (File/Website) here: https://www.avast.com/false-positive-file-form.php
I went to the ‘Blocked and Allowed Apps’ section and there are three files listed under ‘Blocked Apps’ but the path is cut-off.
As a result, I cannot see where the file is located so I cannot report them.
How can I ‘expand’ the path string?
Were they sent to quarantine ?
If you got an avast alert you should have been able to click the more details option and that should have given the full path.
Check the AvastUI Notifications, if you haven’t cleared that area you may have the details you need.
DavidR:
No, the blocked apps are not listed in Quarantine and, if you are referring to the ‘Notifications’ tab on the Status page, it has already been cleared.
It would be ideal if I could ‘hover’ over (or to right-click) the partially-listed path but those options are not available.
*Does clicking ‘Remove’ unblock the app?
You could put that forward as a suggestion to improve information.
I would think it does, but you would have to select it (presumably what you mean) first before clicking remove. Whilst that might work, you would presumably have to Allow that App or the next time you use it the Relevant shield would Block again.
Note: I have never used the allow/block apps function and I’m not sure if the area it relates to. It could relate to Ransomware or Sensitive Data shields and I have neither of these components installed.
EDIT:
Can you remember what you were doing when it was blocked ?
And before you unblock the app make a note of its name and try a windows search for it or check the Windows apps list.
DavidR:
I can confirm that clicking ‘Remove’ unblocked the app but, yes, I had to add it to the ‘Allow’ list so that it would not be blocked again.
Lastly, it does refer to the Ransomware Shield that I have enabled.
To answer your question, I was away from the computer when my office (word processing) software updated itself, which caused Avast to block it, which I only knew about the next morning.
Nonetheless, as a result of adding the office software to the ‘Allow’ list, it opened without any further Avast-related issues.
Even though I don’t use it, that for me would be the safest way.
My first suspect would have been the ransomware shield.
Good that you have it resolved.