Latest Avast Free Blocks mouse & keyboard input using TeamViewer on Vista, Win 7

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Latest Avast Free Antivirus 17.8.3218 (build 17.8.3705.0) blocks mouse and keyboard input using TeamViewer and other remote access programs on a remote Vista PC when you open the Avast Free Antivirus program on the remote PC (to try and disable shields to install other programs, for instance). Sending “Ctrl-Alt-Del” and running Task Manager gets me out. Tried it on a couple of Vista PC’s. Work-around is to disable Self Defense Module while at the Vista PC (not a good option and cannot be done remotely). Seems to work properly on Windows 10 PC’s.

Avast, please fix this bug. Is there a way to report it to Avast? Are there any other work-arounds?

2

Same thing on XP.

3

having same issue on Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit and Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, when connecting using a remote client eg: TeamViewer or VNC as soon as I try to open any Avast screen I loose all mouse and keyboard control… I discovered unchecking the box labeled ‘Enable Hardware-assisted virtualization’ in the troubleshooting tab and rebooting solved the problem for now, strange but it does not happen on all the machines I help with, had 2 identical machines (win 10 pro) and only one exhibits the problem?
It appears there is a bug in this new release 17.8.2318 (3705)

4

So which is better…or worse? Disabling the Self Defense Module or disabling the Enable Hardware-Assisted Virtualization?

5

That’s a big issue!
How can we manage remotely user’s pc if we cannot manage antivirus?
If so we have to change Antivirus! >:( >:( >:(

6

Hi guys, I forwarded it.

7

I tested it.
The issue is all about x86 systems! x64 are issue free.

8

Disabling the Self Defense Module is the only way to bypass the issue.

9

I can see it’s been reported. It happens on 32 and 64 bit Windows Versions.

10

:frowning: >:( >:(

11

Sorry about this bug, it is caused by latest changes in self-defense, because of reported self-defense bypass using automatization SW using user input emulation. Will be fixed ASAP.

12

I use TightVNC and Splashtop and they also both get blocked when opening Avast Antivirus. I found this when Avast displayed a popup. It wasn’t letting me click on anything until the popup disappeared.

13

This reared its ugly today on me! I have put EVERYONE on AVAST Premiere. I have to be able to run remote scans, etc…

As soon as I click on Avast and the User Interface pops up, I lose control. That is not acceptable.

I dealt with the loss of the remote control module built into Avast Premier. Now I use Teamviewer for all my clients.

I see a moderator said it will be dealt with asap. I sure hope so.

14

With that avatar it sounds you’re kidding us. 8) 8) 8)

15

Never judge a book by it’s cover. :slight_smile: He’s an Avast employee and is certainly not kidding.

16

I sure hope too but I’m very frustated. I’ve been so happy in the latest years with Avast that I cannot think me without Avast. I do not like any other AV so I’m fearful!

17

A fix for this issue has been released.

18

How do we get the patch? It is not showing up as an update, and my Avast Antivirus did not update automatically with the fix (it is still exhibiting the same problem).

19

The fix is in form of microupdate, you can force delivery by: schtasks.exe /Run /TN “Avast Emergency Update”
Reboot is required to replace aswsp.sys. The version of aswsp.sys (after update and reboot) in System32\drivers should be 17.8.3705.249

20

Windows Key and R brings up the Run box.

http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1510764660305-86136.png

http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1510764897757-47616.png