Sometimes Avast Antivirus may be blocking you from running a program or accessing a web page, which you know is totally safe. Usually, it’s because of the low application occurrence within the Avast community. Therefore, Avast can’t properly tell if the program is safe or not, and will try to protect you.
![Malwarebytes for mac Malwarebytes for mac](/uploads/1/2/6/5/126530911/241144467.png)
Also, Avast detects so-called ‘Potentially Unwanted Programs‘, which are actually wanted in some cases, and so-called ‘False-Positives‘, which means the program is safe but Avast’s detection is wrong. Unfortunately this often happens with popular games and services like League of Legends (LoL), Steam, GoG Galaxy, Minecraft, uTorrent, BitTorrent, Windows Update, Google, Java, Chrome and other launchers which are being often updated. Usually the false-positive detection lasts only a few hours, but can be very annoying.
Try opening avast then look at the drop down menu there is a heading 'Schedule Boot-Time scan' this opens a settings window, though my understanding was that it only set the boot scan to run once. The lack of experience Avast has shown in dealing with the Mac platform was very clearly demonstrated by the Avast representative whom made several obvious errors in their attempts to discredit Thomas Reed, Who has always been a trusted source of good quality technical information on Mac security. Avast Mac Security offers three shields and on-demand scanning. Our Web Shield and Mail Shield combine to check the vast majority of incoming data from the Internet, while File Shield scans all programs stored and executed from your hard drive. Using the exceptions in Avast you can simply add any file or URL to the list of exclusions and exclude it from scanning and shield protection, therefore also from blocking. For more information about adding exceptions, check our full guide ‘ How to Add File/Website Exception into Avast Antivirus 2018 ‘.
Quick Summary
- Make sure the blocked file or webpage is not malicous by testing it at www.virustotal.com
- Add it as exception by going to Avast user interface » Settings » General » Exclusions
- Confirm by clicking OK
Read more detailed steps and other options including screenshots below.
When Avast blocks something, you will always get a pop-up notification informing you about the threat.
Solution/Fix for the Invalid Certificate Issue Caused by the HTTPS Scan
Avg For Mac
Recently a lot of Avast users (especially the ones running Windows XP) are experienced an issue when Avast has been blocking several major websites because of the invalid cloudflaressl.com certificate. The full message on the pop-up is ‘Avast Web Shield has blocked access to this page because the following certificate is invalid: [name of the certificate]‘.
To fix this try one of the following actions:
- Disable HTTPS scanning by going to settings » Active Protection » Web Shield » Customize » Main settings » Un-check ‘Enable HTTPS scanning‘ and restart your computer
Disabling HTTPS Scanning in Avast 2018 Web Shield Settings
Solution/Fix When Avast is Blocking Internet Connection Completely
Sometimes Avast may even block completely the Internet access so user is not able to visit any website. If this happens to you, try one of the following actions:
- Repair your Avast installation by going to Programs » Uninstall a program » Avast » select Repair and restart your computer
- Disable HTTPS scanning by going to settings » Active Protection » Web Shield » Customize » Main settings » Un-check ‘Enable HTTPS scanning‘ and restart your computer
Solution/Fix When Avast is Blocking Specific Website, Program or Game
There are two ways to unblock any program or website from Avast blocking. Please note, you should do it only if you are 100% sure the blocked file is safe for you and your computer. Even if you own the blocked site, doesn’t mean it wasn’t hacked and injected with dangerous malware. For checking the program/file with other Antivirus vendors, you can use online detection at VirusTotal.
1. Add Blocked Program or Website to Exclusion List (Whitelist) to Unblock it
Using the exceptions in Avast you can simply add any file or URL to the list of exclusions and exclude it from scanning and shield protection, therefore also from blocking. For more information about adding exceptions, check our full guide ‘How to Add File/Website Exception into Avast Antivirus 2018‘.
Adding File/Folder/Program/Website URL Exception into Avast 2018
2. Temporarily Turn Off Avast Protection
If you want install or run a program but it’s being blocked by Avast you can simply turn off Avast shields for a short period of time. For more information about turning off Avast or it’s shields, check our full guide ‘How to Turn Off (Pause, Disable) Shields in Avast Antivirus 2018‘.
Temporarily Disabling Avast Protection from the Windows Tray
3. Report a False Positive Detection to Avast
Malwarebytes For Mac
We also strongly suggest to report the detection you believe is a false positive directly to Avast team. They will look into it and eventually confirm the reported file, software, or website is clean.
Link to report is included on every in-product pop-up displayed when the harmful webpage or file is blocked. Just click on ‘Report the file as a false positive‘.
Avast Web Shield Has Blocked a Harmful Webpage or File Pop-up
Then you need to fill-in following simple form. In the additional info you can add a link from VirusTotal scan. Don’t forget to check the option ‘I know what I’m doing‘ and click on ‘Submit‘.
Avast In-product Form for Reporting False Positive Detection of Files or Websites
Alternatively you can use the official web form for reporting false positive detection.
Official Avast Web Form for Reporting False Positive Detection of Files or Websites
Additional Notes
Hot To Stop Avast For Mac From Scanning Web Websites
Although we have used Avast Free Antivirus 2019 screenshots in this article, these steps are also applicable for all Avast Antivirus solutions (i.e. also for Avast Pro Antivirus, Avast Internet Security, or Avast Premier) running the latest version available.
Steps are relevant for all Windows versions – Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 (including Anniversary Update).
Managing exceptions or turning off Avast protection may leave your computer at risk.
Download3 ScreenshotsNo reviews
No VideoAvast Security (formerly Avast Free Mac Security) for Mac - avast! Free Antivirus for Mac is equipped with all the essential tools needed to deliver a trustworthy and efficient antivirus solution against all types of security threats for Mac systems.
Avast! Free Antivirus for Mac was designed to offer complete protection for online activities and file sharing. The Web Shield will scan any website you open in a browser, Java Scripts, downloaded files…etc. E-mails will be verified by the Mail Shield tool and real-time analysis of accessed files and running applications is performed by the File System Shield. All of these tools ensure complete protection against security threats and stop infections before they spread without lowering the performance of your Mac.
The built-in WebRep plugin displays the reliability of websites based on community feedback so you know the reputation of a website before visiting it. The avast! on-demand scanner provides customizable scanning options, allowing the user to fully control how the scans are performed.
Features:
- On-screen alerts.
- On-demand scanning.
- Web Shield, Mail Shield, File Shield.
- Automatic virus definition updates.
Requirements:
- At least 128 MB RAM
- 50 MB free hard disk space or more
Avast! Free Antivirus for Mac was designed to offer complete protection for online activities and file sharing. The Web Shield will scan any website you open in a browser, Java Scripts, downloaded files…etc. E-mails will be verified by the Mail Shield tool and real-time analysis of accessed files and running applications is performed by the File System Shield. All of these tools ensure complete protection against security threats and stop infections before they spread without lowering the performance of your Mac.
The built-in WebRep plugin displays the reliability of websites based on community feedback so you know the reputation of a website before visiting it. The avast! on-demand scanner provides customizable scanning options, allowing the user to fully control how the scans are performed.
Features:
- On-screen alerts.
- On-demand scanning.
- Web Shield, Mail Shield, File Shield.
- Automatic virus definition updates.
Requirements:
- At least 128 MB RAM
- 50 MB free hard disk space or more
- License:
- Platform:
- Publisher:
- File size:
- Updated:
- User Rating:
- Editors' Review:
- Downloads:
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