Is Avast really stopping things?

[REDACTED]

I'm running an up to date Avast (12.3.2280) on my Win7 system.
Yesterday I downloaded a 'zip' file that when I opened it, turned out to be not what it should have been.
Avast popped up saying it had stopped... bla bla bla, something & I backed out, deleted the file.
I then noticed a number of new shortcuts on my desktop... links to websites. (so I deleted them)
Today when I started up the computer & opened my browser (chrome) I found the page it opens to (normally Google.ca) had been changed  to some porn site (http://pbgvv.kikdating.club/c/da57dc555e50572d?s1=776&s2=5771&click_id=1586957ba7fe35433288295). Trying to reset the page Chrome opens to has not been successful & I'm still trying to figure out how & where it's jumping to the porn site.

Is THIS the kind of protection that I get with the free version of Avast, or have I neglected to set some setting that would have prevented it?
After years of using a different free antivirus, I recently switched to Avast. If this is protection.. I'm not impressed.

[Eddy]

There is no such thing as 100% detection/prevention.

Do you have PUP detection enabled ?
It is off by default for legal reasons.

For help with malware removal > https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

[Pondus]

If you got crap in your browser you may try:

AdwCleaner  >>  https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

Junkware Removal Tool  >>  https://www.malwarebytes.com/junkwareremovaltool/

If still a problem and you need help, follow instructions in the link Eddy gave you

[Rednose]

or have I neglected to set some setting that would have prevented it?

Enable Hardened mode Agressive, so only whitelisted files can be opened :

Avast - Settings - General - Enable Hardened mode  - Agressive.

Avast has an impressive whitelist, and I recommend it to the Avast users I help as well

Greetz, Red.

[bob3160]

or have I neglected to set some setting that would have prevented it?

Enable Hardened mode Agressive, so only whitelisted files can be opened :

Avast - Settings - General - Enable Hardened mode  - Agressive.

Avast has an impressive whitelist, and I recommend it to the Avast users I help as well

Greetz, Red.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx6t8ZVtwfI