I just enabled password protection for the first time in 5.0.677 Free.
In doing so, I observed in the password protection settings that even with the default protected areas checked (including Scan control & Scan settings), I can still toggle Scan PUP on and off without entering a password.
I verified the behavior on avast pro, I guess this is considered part of running a scan (you can block by checking general program access). It is correctly blocking the advanced scan settings.
Hi Snagglegrain: I believe the password protection applies to the settings in Scan and Main settings. I also use password protection and it has never clicked in when I change PUP on or off. 
Sorry I guess we were typing at the same time :-\
Thanks for replies you guys.
The way I see it, being able to toggle Scan PUP off and on is being able to change a setting. When Scan control & Scan settings are both checked, this behavior should not be possible. And I realize I can block this by password-protecting General program access, but I prefer to be able to view the UI freely, and only have settings password-protected. I’m assuming that is the developer’s goal, since they left General program access unchecked by default.
You are welcome If you feel your satisfied and obviously all that can be suggested at this time has been, could you please go to your initial post, click modify and type “Resolved” in the front of your Subject Heading
Thanks 
Not gonna insert Resolved in front of an issue that hasn’t been resolved. 8)
With password protection (for settings) enabled, avast prompts for the password whenever an attempt has been made to try to access the Expert Settings. The other settings are general program access.
GG
Hey GloobyGoob: If I understand the OP, His point is not about Main Settings or Scan Settings, I believe he would like to see the choice whether to scan PUP (OFF or ON)…Password protected…I think :-\
Precisely! The ablity to toggle Scan PUP off and on is the equivalent of changing a setting. With settings password-protected, it should not be possible to turn scan PUP off, but right now, it is.
Edit: nevermind I know what you mean
GG
So you think this would be better placed in the WISHLIST thread, huh?
Me too. I wasn’t thinking of that.
I was thinking more along the lines of this being a feature that wasn’t working as it should, hence my description of it as a bug.
I wish it was working better.
Actually, upon closer inspection, there are more settings that can still be changed even after password-protection defaults are enabled…
File System Shield
Scan documents when opening
Scan files when writing
Mail Shield
Scan inbound messages
Scan outbound messages
Web Shield
Scan web (HTTP) traffic
So am I to believe that no one else here feels that something is out of whack when all of the settings I listed above can still be changed without entering a password, when the default protected areas shown below are all enabled? These are critical settings! Mail Shield… Web Shield, File System Shield.
The only way to password-protect all of the Mail Shield, Web Shield, & File System Shield settings listed above, is to select “General program access” in the protected area list… which means a user can’t open the program UI for anything at all without entering a password.
It is not a problem for me. I always take the “Personal” part of “PC” pretty literally. If I do let anyone else use it for whatever reason, it is with me vulture hovering over them the whole time. But if you are stuck with multiple users, what is the issue with locking all access to the UI with a pass?
Nope, not stuck with multiple users. I’m thinking in terms of a layered defense against uninvited guests, of this sort… Viruses can remove anti-viruses again. It’s for the same reason that I password-protect my router, which is not because I think someone in my home might change my router’s settings. Password-protecting avast! is actually a bit of a PITA, but I’m of a mind to make things as uninviting and difficult for malware as I possibly can. In my opinion, avast! is on the right track here, in that some free AV’s don’t offer password protection. But they certainly could tweak it a bit to make it more effective and user-friendly.
The only way to password-protect all of the Mail Shield, Web Shield, & File System Shield settings listed above, is to select “General program access” in the protected area list… which means a user can’t open the program UI for anything at all without entering a password.
This is my problem – I never asked for a password – it just started being protected – and without a password I cannot access.
How do I find out what password it is looking for?
Thanks for any help.