The incompatibility issue was cleared up with the latest version of avast!
You should be running avast! version 2014.9.0.2007
err no - the problem still exists
Most current version of program and virus definitions still are noncompliant with Internet Explorer 8 (64bit program).
To ensure that it is understood on 64bit operating systems of Windows, Internet Explorer 8 came in 32bit (default) and 64bit versions.
The 32bit (default) version works fine; it is the 64bit version that is still crashing with the current version of Avast (and virus definitions).
This thread, while it has helped certain users, has deviated from the original post (thread jacked).
This is not a problem with the Avast addon (simple enough fix that I did try even before reading the forums) - this is a problem with IE8 64bit and Avast.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.