Avast anti virus free version.

This program when it updates to the newer version puts a firewall block on your internet access which has a bug in it.

On my new computer today it updated by itself. Which I have been avoiding updates for the past couple of months.

When I tried to get online I was told Internet explorer has incurred an error...
I couldn't even get on with Goggle chrome....I called Alien ware tech support. They told me to get rid of it, and never use Avast. I had to do a system restore, then I had to go to Avast Uninstall utility. Here

Got it off of all my computers...

Also this Avast was interfering with my Windows Updates... Once I got it off. I had like 24 critical updates

Also I am now using Microsoft Essentials its free.. Here

Sorry you had a bad experience with it. I have used Avast antivirus free version for years (and am still using it), and have had no problems with it whatsoever.

Marian...Have you updated it to the new version?

This Avast screwed up my windows XP computer...Plus I have a laptop. Plus a new Alien computer which it almost messed up today. The XP computer was a wash after I did a restore, and didn't have the CD to get it back to the factory settings.

All I want is for some people to know. I had Tech support from alien ware tell me today to get Avast off of my computer...

It also could be the Optimum online server also. Because when I did a computer check from Alien spawn it said my Dell wireless manager was disconnected... Hummm.

I believe Avast disconnected in some way...

Also with Microsoft Essentials they don't ask you to register unlike others, because others later down the road they want you to PAY.

Please stay away from Avast...Microsoft Essentials does the JOB..

Yes, I have updated to the new version. And Avast has never insisted that I pay for anything, nor has it interfered with my Windows updates.

I'm glad you got your problems straightened out. Not all programs are going to run equally well on all systems; sometimes how well they run (or don't run) is dependent on what else you have running on your computer and whether they play nicely together. In my case, as I said before, Avast has given me no problems at all.

I'm glad you found a set-up that works well for you.

The free Avast NEVER asks you to pay. However, it does ask you to register once a year. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with it, but I would never go so far as to tell other people to not use it. It's still one of the highest ranked free anti-virus programs out there. Many, many people use it with no problems at all, so telling other people not to use it is not very good advice.

Although I also use Security Essentials, it is ranked very low in the hierarchy of free anti-virus programs. I would highly recommend buying the paid version of Malwarebytes to run along side Security Essentials. The combination is a good one. Unless you are extremely meticulous about downloads and where you go, I wouldn't feel very secure running Security Essentials alone.

I edited the thread title.

Thanks, Marian, Drac

The program does consistently ask you to upgrade to the paid version. It also has a window come up ever so often, and ask you to buy add on's.

I have Malware program also running. I just want people to know if your having a problem getting connected to the internet...First check the virus program.

It almost sounds to me like you might have downloaded the trial version of the paid Avast. I've used Avast on one of my computers for years and it has never asked me to upgrade nor have I ever seen any popup ads for addons. It just asks me to register every year - which I do find to be a pain. I have the updated one on that computer too.

I'm glad you edited the title MaG... While I'm not a huge fan of Avast, it is a very good free anti-virus alternative which the vast majority of people have no problems with. I'd hate for anyone to dump it based on someone else's bad experience.

I agree, Drac

This thread is for information to others if they experience problems with the free version as I have.

The other thing that was disturbing is that the flag for the action center kept telling me to turn on automatic windows updates. Which was turned on..I also was never getting updates... as soon as I removed Avast, windows was downloading 24 critical updates. This happened on all my computers after removing Avast.

Which is why I'm glad MaG changed your title...

Yes.. I wasn't thinking at the time I made the thread.

Sorry about that MaG ....

Here is the Avast site where people are having the same problems. Here

Avast is the third anti-virus software I've used. Compared to the other two, it's a piece of cake. I now use the paid version because I was very impressed with the free version. The only time I've had trouble with Avast is when the graphics card left town and gave Windows fits when it tried to boot, reboot, etc.

It should be noted that with any program containing a firewall, it might be necessary to educate that firewall as to what sites to allow access to and what sites may talk to your computer. Otherwise the problem which prompted this thread may occur.

Only two programs on our computer are allowed to update without notification, Avast and Malwarebyte. Everything else is set to notification, including Windows--it's set to notification because it once upgraded IE 10 to IE 11 and hosed up everything.

Homer... Look above I edited my post to a link that shows I am not the only one having this problem with the software..

Hey everyone -

I'd like to clear up something about free Antivirus Programs. Installing a free version can be intimidating for some - Depending on how one interprets the terminology on setup they may inadvertantly have activated the trial version.

And while some people may have managed to get the program installed- there may be some popups that tell people to upgrade to better protection and they accidentally click it and it goes to a trial.

Solving these problems can be quite easy by going to the control panel and in the trial versions setup it can transform a demo back into the free version once more.

Happens all the time to my customers of my computer repair business

Great advice, Jason! I've had to do the same on a few computers myself...

Thanks, Jason

I don't think your advice would of helped me...I was told by Alienware tech support to completely remove it. The program was interfering with my windows updates,and my access to the internet. The new version that was updated had a firewall bug which was causing my problems.

Saw the link, Darleen, and read through the posts. Avast has a mess on their hands with version 8.0.1483. Still, my paid version is 2014.9.0.2021 and I'm not having any problems.