Internet Security making DNS requests every 5 seconds

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Avast Internet Security
Program version: 19.2.2364 (build 19.1.4142.454)

So I recently installed some software called AdGuard on my home network which, among other things, shows me an overview of network activity in the last 24 hours as well as a log of the last 5000 DNS queries. I noticed on the overview that in the last 24 hours (approx. 4 hours actually using my PC because it’s 22:28 here right now and I have a full-time job during the day) over a third of all DNS queries are to a single domain: avaststat.mailshell.net. Currently it’s at 2220 queries for that domain alone from a total of 5593 - that’s 39.7%!

As you can see in the attached screenshot, filtering the main log shows that this domain is being queried just about every five seconds without pause and that the response is empty. Although it may be trivial with today’s Internet speeds and computer hardware, I do not appreciate this constant drain on my resources.

Is this intended behaviour? What purpose does it serve? Will blocking that domain break my Avast? Can you please stop it?

2

No, seriously, what the hell is this? In the last 6-7 hours there this accounted for over 54% of all DNS queries in my entire house!

http://puu.sh/CQin6/ae2a6bb556.png

If I don’t get a reply soon with a good explanation I’ll block it, and if that breaks my Avast then I’ll cancel my subscription. I’m starting to get a bit tired of the constant adverts and pressure to buy other Avast software or upgrade anyway.

3

Sorry I can’t help you with your DNS issue as I use Avast Free and don’t have AIS.

However having a paid version of avast you should be able to stop the promotions (a.k.a. ads) for other avast products, etc.

Open the Privacy section and I believe it should be one of the options there.