Make sure to set Avast to "no proxy" in Settings -> Update.
And set to "Always connected".
Sorry but “no proxy” or “auto-detect” made no difference. AVAST still “cannot connect to server”.
I am on a dial-up connection. “Always connected” does not apply.
Check "always connected" anyway.
Please use this MS-tool to fix the Hosts-file:
TOOLDownload the file to disk and then run it.
Download Malwarebytes Antimalware free by clicking on the blue MBAM in my signature.
Install it.
Start it.
Go to the update tab and update it.
Then start a "Quick scan" (takes only few minutes).
A log will appear after the scan - save that to your disk and post the file here (click "Additional Options" at the bottom of post editor window to attach the saved log file).
We'll continue then.