As a responsible internet user, you understand the importance of having reliable antivirus software installed on your devices.
Avast Antivirus is a popular choice among many, offering robust protection against various online threats.
However, sometimes Avast’s Web Shield feature can be overzealous, blocking websites that you know are safe and want to access.
In this article, we’ll explore what Avast Web Shield is, why people use it, and most importantly, how you can stop Avast from blocking websites.
How to Stop Avast from Blocking Websites?
What is Avast Web Shield?
Avast Web Shield is a built-in feature of Avast Antivirus that helps protect your device from malicious websites and online threats.
It works by scanning the websites you visit in real time and checking for any signs of malware, phishing attempts, or other suspicious activity.
If Web Shield detects a potential threat, it will block the website, preventing you from accessing it.
Why Do People Use Avast Web Shield?
There are several reasons why people choose to use Avast Web Shield:
- Enhanced online security: Web Shield provides an extra layer of protection against online threats, helping to keep your device and personal information safe.
- Real-time scanning: With Web Shield, every website you visit is scanned in real-time, ensuring that you’re protected against the latest threats.
- Automatic updates: Avast regularly updates its database of known threats, so Web Shield is always up-to-date and ready to defend your device.
Why Do People Stop Avast Web Shield?
Despite its benefits, there are situations where you might want to stop Avast Web Shield:
- False positives: Sometimes, Web Shield may mistakenly flag a safe website as a threat, preventing you from accessing it.
- Compatibility issues: In rare cases, Web Shield may interfere with certain websites or web-based applications, causing them to malfunction.
- Temporary access: You may need to temporarily disable Web Shield to access a specific website or perform a certain task.
How to Stop Avast Website Blocking by Turning off Avast Web Shield?
If you find that Avast Web Shield is blocking a website you know is safe, you can follow these steps to disable it:
- Open the Avast software by double-clicking on the Avast icon in your system tray.
- Click on the “Protection” tab on the left-hand side of the window.
- Locate the “Core Shields” box and click on it.
- Find the “Web Shield” toggle and click on it to turn it off.
- When prompted, select “Stop indefinitely” to disable Web Shield until you manually re-enable it.
- Click “OK” to confirm the changes.
- Web Shield is now disabled, and Avast will no longer block websites.
Please note that disabling Web Shield will leave your device more vulnerable to online threats, so it’s essential to re-enable it once you’ve finished accessing the website in question.
How to Add a Website Exception in Avast (Adding Whitelist in Avast)?
If you want to allow specific websites without disabling Web Shield entirely, you can add them to Avast’s whitelist:
- Open Avast by clicking on its icon in your Windows Menu bar.
- Navigate to the “Settings” menu.
- Click on “Exceptions” in the left-hand menu.
- Click on the “Add Exception” button.
- Enter the website domain address you want to whitelist and click “Add Exception.”
Now, Avast will no longer block the whitelisted website, while still protecting you from other potentially malicious sites.
| Pros of Using Avast Web Shield | Cons of Using Avast Web Shield |
|---|---|
| Enhanced online security | False positives |
| Real-time scanning | Compatibility issues |
| Automatic updates | Temporarily inaccessible websites |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I selectively disable Web Shield for specific websites?
Yes, you can add websites to Avast’s whitelist, which will allow you to access them without disabling Web Shield entirely.
- Will disabling Web Shield leave my device vulnerable to online threats?
Yes, disabling Web Shield will reduce your device’s protection against malicious websites and online threats. It’s recommended to keep Web Shield enabled whenever possible and only disable it when necessary.
- Can I schedule Web Shield to turn off and on at specific times?
No, Avast does not currently offer a scheduling feature for Web Shield. You can only disable it manually and re-enable it when needed.
Conclusion:
Avast Web Shield is a valuable tool for protecting your device against online threats, but there may be times when you need to stop it from blocking certain websites.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily disable Web Shield or add specific websites to your whitelist, ensuring that you can access the content you need without compromising your overall security.
Remember to always exercise caution when disabling any security features and to re-enable them as soon as possible to maintain optimal protection for your device.
