Windows Event Viewer error

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

This keeps showing up in my Event Viewer even after I clean it:

Name resolution for the name ip-info.ff.avast.com timed out after none of the configured DNS servers responded.

I use two DNS servers in my Windows network .
One is Google 8.8.4.4 & the other is what is recommended for my ISP.

I want to know what DNS server Avast is trying to use.
Avast should be able to use the Google DNS server as it is a common one.

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

Thank you for replying Asyn.

I want to correct something.
It is a Warning instead of an error.
I cleaned my Event Viewer last night & the warning has not repeated today.
It has been repeating in the Event Viewer for some time so I’m sure it will show up again.

To answer you questions:
Which Avast…? (Free/Premium/One)
Free

  • Which version/build of Avast…?
    22.3.6008 (build 22.3.7108.528)

  • OS…? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP/Build…?)
    Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit)
    Version 6.1 (Build 7601: Service Pack 1)

  • Other security related software installed…?
    Malwarebytes version: 3.1.2.1733
    Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2.46
    Cvbereason RansomFree

Windows hosts file
ip-info.ff.avast.com is not in the host file so it isn’t blocking it.
Windows Firewall

  • Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?

I believe Avast free is the only AV I have used on this Windows 7 on this computer.

I do have some AV’s I ocassionally run from a Command Prompt outside of Windows.
Emsisoft Emergency Kit is one of those.(It has been about a year since I ran it.)

4

First, be sure to get rid of all remnants of Spybot…!!
→ https://support.avast.com/en-ww/article/11/

Then:

  1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
  2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.

PS: Regarding Avast & Malwarebytes, see: https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360051090194-Issues-running-other-security-applications-and-Malwarebytes-for-Windows

5

I took some of your suggestions.
I ran the Avast uninstall tool.
I installed the newest offline installer of Avast Free antivirus.

This did not fix the warning but I am getting it less.

The Malwarebytes I have is the Free version so it is Passive.
Meaning it only scans when told to do so.

For Spybot I have used it for many years without problems & I will continue to use it.

The warning is caused by Avast AV attempting to contact an Avast website.
My OS is preventing this. Which is good as far as I’m concerned.
I have my Avast update settings on Manual.
This includes “Enable streaming updates” Unchecked.
All the “Personal Privacy” options are Unchecked
To me this means Avast should not be attempting to contact an Avast website.
At least not without asking.

I do this with all software not just Avast.
At least if possible.

I would just like to get rid of the warning in the Windows Event Viewer.
But not at the expense of my Privacy or security.