Thanks for all your feedback.
Trying to use this event as a learning opportunity, I wonder if I may put the follow queries to those in the know. Suppose a notebook/Avast user stumbles into and unwittingly becomes connected to someone’s “trap” Wi-Fi network, how difficult would it be for the intruder to turn off the user’s (a) Avast real-time shields and (b) built-in Windows firewall, and how long would it take to accomplish these two tasks?
Thinking positively, is there any defense against such intrusion in this hypothetical circumstance? For instance, would the Zonealarm firewall be an effective guard, esp. against an attempt to turn it off?
Thanks again!