Web browser locking up after short usage

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I have been using Avast Premium and Avast Clean Up for several years. Since the update, my web browser will load a website but after only a short time, maybe 10 minutes, the whole browser locks up and I have to exit the browser and restart it. it will again work for a few minutes and then lock up. I used Vivaldi and it happened. Uninstalled Vivaldi and installed Opera and it happens. It also happens in IE. It started happening after the last Avast update. This is extremely frustrating and I question why I am paying for this product and have it cause so many problems.

2
  • Which version/build of Avast Premium…?
  • OS…? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP/Build…?)
  • Other security related software installed…?
  • Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?
3

Avast Premium and Avast Clean up:
Premium version 20.5.2415 (build 20.5.5410.586)
Have not used any other AV in the past. Do have Malwarebytes Premium installed

Windows 8.1 64 bit

4

Update to the latest version (20.6.2420): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=236703.0

PS: Regarding Avast & Malwarebytes, see: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/200324-exclusions-for-avast-users/

5

For me, Malwarebytes hasn’t caught anything that wasn’t already taken care of by Avast in years.
I no longer use it even though I have a lifetime license.