Free Avast 5 web shield blocking access to internet

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Avast has started randomly blocking access to the web, for all sites except secure ones (e.g. it blocks google and this forum, but not my bank’s site or gotomypc.com). If I turn off web shields I can access any site.

I am using Avast Free, version 5.0.507, and Windows XP SP3. This just started happening a couple of days ago. I am using Windows Firewall. BUT the web sites are blocked even if I turn the firewall off. Except google – if I turn the firewall off I can access google but not the other non-secured sites. If I turn the firewall back on and turn off the web shield, I can access the web again. Also C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastUI.exe is in the firewall exceptions list.

The only thing I did differently is I ran Uniblue Speed Up My PC a few days ago. It did some system “tweaks” which were supposed to speed things up. I know it clears the cache but it might have also removed something which was needed?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Laura

2

I have the same problems. In addition I can not enter and keep the data in the forms on some sites. The program is necessary to correct.

Thanks,
Lovkiy

3

@ laurap414
The windows XP firewall has zero outbound protection, so shouldn’t be blocking the web shield, running under the avastSvc.exe service ‘not avastUI.exe.’

What version of avast are you using ?

Please state which firewall you are using ?
avast has nothing to do with retention of form data in your browser, that is a browser task.