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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: sunsets44 on December 26, 2020, 06:20:26 AM

Title: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 26, 2020, 06:20:26 AM
After restarting my laptop, Windows 10, I got a popup saying I am connected to a new network and to scan network. I did not connect to a new network. It is the same WiFi one I always use. Using Avast Free 20.4.2410 (build 20.4.5312.583)
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: Asyn on December 26, 2020, 07:24:03 AM
Update to the latest version (20.10.2442): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=243196.0
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 26, 2020, 03:05:10 PM
I've updated. Wi-Fi Inspector says I'm on a public network when it should say private.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: Asyn on December 26, 2020, 03:11:30 PM
Reboot twice.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 26, 2020, 03:24:17 PM
Done. Now, it says New Device Notification. How do I know that it's detecting I'm on a private network?

What causes the new network detection popup when I did not connect to one? I've been using Avast for many years and never have had this problem before when using an older version. I bank, pay bills, and shop online. So, it's a concern to me.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: Asyn on December 28, 2020, 08:38:57 AM
You can adjust/disable it in the settings.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 28, 2020, 06:49:57 PM
Thank you.  Still would like to know what causes the new network detection popup when I did not connect to one.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: DavidR on December 28, 2020, 07:25:06 PM
Thank you.  Still would like to know what causes the new network detection popup when I did not connect to one.

Without more details, it would be very hard to say. 

It doesn't necessarily mean 'you' are making a new network connection, but an outside source making that connection.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 28, 2020, 08:19:12 PM

It doesn't necessarily mean 'you' are making a new network connection, but an outside source making that connection.

It's the possibility of an outside source making that connection that concerns me.  Every night I run CCleaner, Avast, and Malwarebytes. Some times after running them, I can not connect to the internet and have to restart my laptop. That's what happened when the pop up appeared. It never happened before.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: DavidR on December 28, 2020, 08:52:23 PM

It doesn't necessarily mean 'you' are making a new network connection, but an outside source making that connection.

It's the possibility of an outside source making that connection that concerns me.  Every night I run CCleaner, Avast, and Malwarebytes. Some times after running them, I can not connect to the internet and have to restart my laptop. That's what happened when the pop up appeared. It never happened before.

Well that is the point of having the the WiFi Inspector function.

That said, if you have your network buttoned up, set up as Private and with strong WPA2 security and access requiring a password to access the network from outside your personal private network.  Then you are much less vulnerable, but you are getting a warning of someone 'trying' to gain access.

It is going to mean checking the logs to get an idea of where the attempt came from and by whom/what (possibly).
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 28, 2020, 10:51:27 PM
Yes, my network is Private and strong WPA2. 

I have no idea how to check logs or what to look for.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 28, 2020, 11:52:59 PM
I figured out how to check the logs. However, I have no idea what to look for.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: DavidR on December 29, 2020, 12:40:02 AM
I figured out how to check the logs. However, I have no idea what to look for.

Are you clicking the Show Last Result as that showed me what had actually 'connected' (or somewhere else) ?

So if you don't see anything outside of things like your PC, Mobile or Tablet (things that you use normally), then there may have been an attempt but not connected.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 29, 2020, 02:35:38 AM
I must be viewing the log a different way than you are. I used Event Viewer, so it only shows my laptop.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: DavidR on December 29, 2020, 04:17:34 AM
Are you actually connecting any other devices to your network (as I mentioned PC, Mobile or Tablet). Look at at the image that I attached in Reply #9, that is directly from the Avast UI > Menu > Protection > WiFi inspector - and click the show last report button.

Have you actually run a specific WiFi Inspector scan ?

I wouldn't begin to know where to look in the Event Viewer, if it would even place entries for any WiFi Inspector notifications/alerts.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 29, 2020, 04:33:55 AM
Yes, all my devices - laptop, mobile, and tablet show up along with my router.

When I have run WiFi Inspectors scans, it scans all of my devices on my network at once.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: DavidR on December 29, 2020, 12:35:00 PM
Yes, all my devices - laptop, mobile, and tablet show up along with my router.

When I have run WiFi Inspectors scans, it scans all of my devices on my network at once.

Periodically, these devices when in range will connect to your network.

I changed my settings to always scan new connections to see if this is what you are seeing and I got a small toaster popup today.

See attached image, is this what you are seeing ?
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: sunsets44 on December 29, 2020, 04:33:40 PM
All I remember the popup saying was that I was connected to a new network. I do not think it said  to what network. I wish I had taken a picture of it.

I have it set to scan new networks and rescan home networks automatically and notify me when new devices join my network.

I wish I had started using WiFi Inspector sooner.
Title: Re: Pop up saying connected to new network when I did not
Post by: DavidR on December 29, 2020, 08:04:05 PM
Well that is what I have just set mine back to to do this test (outlined in my last post) otherwise I would not have it set to rescan home networks automatically.  So ordinarily I don't see any of these popups, considering my current router settings I mentioned before and yours appear to be the same as mine.