EDDY comment above:
That is not from avast, but a third party and what they do is taking your money, but not giving any service at all.
How I know this?
1) avast doesn't have phone support. That is the third party.
2) The $179 which is way to much for 1 year "support"
3) Quick connect is not from avast.
.............................
I have had the same experience with Avast Technical Support as conniereed who started this thread, so found the EDDY post very confusing, even misleading as far as the info I have. All info from this Avast webpage
http://www.avast.com/en-gb/total-supportThe 'Avast' people I spoke with were Very Avast and seemingly did a good job.
First in selling me a $179.99 package for 1 year.
Second in apparently doing a good job in cleaning Ransomeware from my PC which was, or should have been, well protected.
Anyway, good to have found these forums.
I will now go away and do as Michael and Asyn suggest, start a separate thread...
in fact I have: Windows Security: malware & firewall, to use or not to use that is the question
ah but maybe it is not in the Virus and malware section.. I'll post there.
My thanks to all who have responded to my posts here.