Are you frustrated with Avast constantly blocking a website you need access to? It can be incredibly frustrating when a security program gets in the way of your online activities. Luckily, we have compiled a list of top tips to help you regain access to websites blocked by Avast. Whether it’s adjusting the antivirus settings, whitelisting the website, or even considering alternative antivirus software, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out how to stop Avast from blocking a website and reclaim your internet freedom!
Understanding Avast’s Website Blocking Feature
Avast antivirus software is equipped with a website blocking feature that helps protect users from accessing potentially harmful websites. Although this feature is designed with good intentions, it may sometimes lead to blocking legitimate websites. Understanding how this feature works is crucial to regain access to the blocked websites.
When Avast detects a potential threat, it uses a web shield to block access to the website. This is based on various factors such as suspicious URLs, phishing attempts, or known malware sources. The purpose is to prevent users from inadvertently visiting harmful websites and compromising their devices.
Avast’s website blocking feature employs a vast database of known malicious websites and constantly updates it to keep users safe. However, false positives can occur, and trusted websites may mistakenly get blocked. In such cases, it is essential to take appropriate actions to regain access without compromising your device’s security. This article offers various tips and solutions to bypass Avast’s website blocking feature and access the website you need.
Deactivating Avast’s Website Blocking Feature
Deactivating Avast’s website blocking feature can be a useful solution if you want to regain access to a blocked website. Follow these simple steps to deactivate this feature:
1. Open Avast: Locate the Avast antivirus software icon on your desktop or in the system tray and click on it to open the main program window.
2. Access the settings: In the Avast window, look for the gear icon or the “Settings” option and click on it. This will open the settings menu.
3. Find the web shield settings: In the settings menu, navigate to the “Protection” section and select “Core Shields.” Here, you will find the option for the “Web Shield” settings.
4. Disable website blocking: Under the “Web Shield” settings, uncheck the box next to “Enable web shield.” This action will temporarily deactivate Avast’s website blocking feature.
5. Save changes: After deselecting the option, click on the “OK” or “Apply” button to save the changes and exit the settings menu.
By deactivating Avast’s website blocking feature, you should now be able to access the blocked website without any interference. Remember to reactivate this feature once you have finished visiting the blocked site to ensure continued protection from potential threats.
Adjusting Avast’s Web Shield Settings To Allow Access
Adjusting Avast’s web shield settings can be an effective way to regain access to a blocked website. This feature allows you to customize the level of security provided by Avast while still ensuring access to trusted websites.
To adjust the web shield settings, follow these steps:
1. Open the Avast user interface on your computer.
2. Navigate to the settings menu, usually accessible through a gear icon.
3. Look for the “Protection” or “Security” tab and click on it.
4. Within the protection settings, find the “Web Shield” option.
5. Click on the Web Shield settings and locate the “Main Settings” section.
6. Here, you can adjust the sensitivity level of the web shield. Try lowering it to allow access to the blocked website.
7. Save the changes, restart your browser, and try accessing the blocked website again.
By adjusting the web shield settings, you are essentially telling Avast to be less strict about blocking potentially harmful websites. However, remember to exercise caution when accessing websites that might pose security risks.
Adding A Website To Avast’s Exclusions List:
Adding a website to Avast’s exclusions list is an effective way to regain access to a blocked website. When you add a website to this list, Avast ignores it when scanning for potential threats or malicious content. To do this, open the Avast user interface and navigate to the “Settings” tab. From there, click on “General,” and in the menu that appears, select “Exceptions.” In the Exceptions settings, you can add the URL of the blocked website by clicking on “Add Exception.” Enter the URL and choose the exclusion type, which can be either a URL or a folder. Click “Add” to save the changes.
By adding the website to Avast’s exclusions list, you are telling the antivirus program not to block that specific website. This can be helpful if Avast’s web shield identifies a legitimate website as a threat erroneously. However, exercise caution when adding websites to the exclusions list, as it may expose your computer to potential security risks if the website is, in fact, dangerous.
Disabling Avast Temporarily To Access A Blocked Website
Sometimes, you may come across a blocked website that you desperately need to access. In such cases, temporarily disabling Avast can be a quick solution. However, it’s important to note that disabling Avast leaves your computer vulnerable to potential threats, so it should only be done as a last resort and for a short period of time.
To disable Avast temporarily, you can follow these steps:
1. Locate the Avast icon in the system tray on your desktop.
2. Right-click on the Avast icon and hover over the “Avast shields control” option.
3. Select the option that suits your needs, such as “Disable until computer is restarted” or “Disable permanently”.
4. Avast will prompt you to confirm your action. Click “Yes” to disable the Avast shields.
Remember to enable Avast again once you’re done accessing the blocked website. Simply repeat the above steps, but this time select the option to enable Avast.
Disabling Avast temporarily should only be used as a temporary solution. If you frequently encounter website blocking issues, it’s recommended to explore the other tips mentioned in this article to find a more permanent resolution.
Clearing Avast’s Cache And Browser Data To Resolve Blocking Issues
When Avast blocks a website, it may create cache and browser data that can interfere with accessing the site even after disabling the blocking feature. In such cases, clearing Avast’s cache and browser data can help resolve the blocking issues. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Avast antivirus program on your computer.
2. Go to the “Settings” option, usually represented by a gear or cog icon.
3. In the settings menu, find the “General” tab and select it.
4. Scroll down until you find the “Privacy” section.
5. Look for the option to “Clear browsing data” or “Clear browser cache.”
6. Click on that option and a window will pop up with different data types.
7. Tick the boxes for “Cached images and files” and any other relevant data you want to clear.
8. Choose the time range for which you want to clear the data (e.g., “Last hour” or “All time”).
9. Click on “Clear data” or “Clear browsing data” to proceed.
10. Once the process completes, restart your browser and try accessing the blocked website again.
Clearing Avast’s cache and browser data can often resolve any lingering blocking issues and restore access to the website.
Seeking Advanced Options To Resolve Persistent Website Blocking By Avast
In some cases, Avast’s website blocking feature may persistently block a particular website, even when all the basic troubleshooting steps have been taken. When faced with such a situation, it might be necessary to explore advanced options to regain access to the blocked website.
One possible solution is to disable Avast’s DeepScreen feature, which is known to cause compatibility issues with certain websites. To do this, open the Avast user interface, go to “Settings,” select “Active Protection,” and then click on “Customize” next to the “DeepScreen” option. Here, you can choose to disable the feature temporarily or completely.
If disabling DeepScreen doesn’t resolve the issue, another option is to modify Avast’s firewall settings. Within the Avast user interface, navigate to “Settings,” followed by “Firewall” and then select “Application rules.” Look for the application associated with the blocked website and change its settings to allow inbound and outbound connections.
In more complex cases, it might be necessary to reach out to Avast’s support team for personalized assistance. They can provide guidance and advanced troubleshooting steps specific to the issue you’re experiencing, helping you regain access to the blocked website.
FAQs
1. How do I stop Avast from blocking a website?
Avast can be prevented from blocking a website by adding it to the exclusions list. To do this, open the Avast user interface, go to settings, navigate to the ‘General’ tab, and find the ‘Exclusions’ section. From there, add the URL or domain of the blocked website to the exclusions list.
2. Why is Avast blocking websites in the first place?
Avast blocks websites if it detects potential threats or suspicious activity on them. The software aims to protect users from malware, phishing attacks, or other security risks. However, sometimes legitimate websites can also be mistakenly flagged. In such cases, following the steps mentioned in the first FAQ can help regain access to these sites.
3. What should I do if Avast continues to block a website even after adding it to the exclusions list?
If Avast keeps blocking a website that you have already added to the exclusions list, try the following steps. First, ensure that you have entered the URL or domain correctly in the exclusions list without any additional spaces or typos. If the issue persists, temporarily disabling Avast shields or switching to a different antivirus program might be a solution. Remember to reactivate the shields or choose a reliable alternative to maintain your computer’s security.
4. Are there any alternatives to Avast for blocking potentially harmful websites?
Yes, there are several alternatives to Avast that can be used to block potentially harmful websites. Some popular options include Avira, Malwarebytes, Norton, and McAfee. These antivirus programs offer similar features and provide protection against online threats. It’s recommended to research and choose an antivirus software based on your specific needs and preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is possible to regain access to a blocked website by following a few simple steps. First, try disabling Avast temporarily to see if that resolves the issue. If not, add the website to the exclusions list in Avast’s settings. Additionally, try clearing the browser cache and resetting the DNS settings. If all else fails, consider contacting Avast support for further assistance. With these top tips, users can overcome Avast’s blocking and regain access to their desired websites.