Hey
Long time Avast user here, been using Avast for over a decade now without much problems. Since building up my new PC today (Windows 8.1) and installing Avast as the first thing I've noticed something quite problematic with it. Avast Web Shield seems to be blocking so much of my internet traffic that browsing the net is a complete pain; images don't load proper, can't download any files without transfer error, even sites may not load before tapping F5 a few times. Disabling Web Shield instantly removes all and any problems, so it's obviously because of it. I can reproduce the issue as many times I want by enabling then disabling the shield, always instantly breaks/fixes everything. Happens on all browsers, and even on other applications - such as Steam - anything that moves traffic.
Mmh, quite hilarious that I am unable to even update Avast virus definitions while Web Shield is activated
Same thing as with other programs, download starts only to get stuck then or at 99%.
Tried reinstalling a few times, doing a clean install etc but alas to no avail.
It's such a glaring problem that I'm forced to look elsewhere unless I can find a fix soon, but decided that since I've been using Avast for so long it'd be worth a shot to write about this on the forums. Maybe, just maybe, someone has some ideas.