Webshield blocking VPN

[REDACTED]

I use the Opera browser which has a VPN built-in; it is called SurfEasy VPN.  After installing Avast Internet Security the VPN was no longer able to connect to the SurfEasy servers.  I assumed it was because Avast has it's own VPN, so I disabled SecureLine VPN, but that made no difference.  I started disabling each component of Avast, one at a time, until I found that the Webshield is causing the problem.  When I turn it off, the SurfEasy VPN is able to connect normally.  After the Webshield turns back on, the VPN is still connecting OK until I close the browser and then open a new session, at which point the VPN will not connect, again.  Seems like a bug.

[bob3160]

I use the Opera browser which has a VPN built-in; it is called SurfEasy VPN.  After installing Avast Internet Security the VPN was no longer able to connect to the SurfEasy servers.  I assumed it was because Avast has it's own VPN, so I disabled SecureLine VPN, but that made no difference.  I started disabling each component of Avast, one at a time, until I found that the Webshield is causing the problem.  When I turn it off, the SurfEasy VPN is able to connect normally.  After the Webshield turns back on, the VPN is still connecting OK until I close the browser and then open a new session, at which point the VPN will not connect, again.  Seems like a bug.

I can confirm this problem and am reporting it to Avast.

[Filip Braun]

Hello,

Thank you for reporting the issue.
Unfortunately, I'm not able to reproduce it. The Opera VPN works just fine with all Avast shields enabled.
We would like to acquire more info, so that we can reproduce the issue. Could you please generate and send us the Support package? Guide here: https://www.avast.com/en-us/faq.php?article=AVKB33

Thank you,
Filip

[bob3160]

Sorry Flip I'm at a hotel with limited internet access. here's the problem:

[bob3160]

If you don't close Opera, the VPN will continue to function after you turn Webshield back on.
Once you close the browser after Webshield is back on, and then restart Opera, their VPN may or may not work.

[REDACTED]

I submitted a bug report and the files generated by the Avast Support Tool.
Support Ticket #740407
Avast Support Tool results: 20170307_1928_89Q35_44036303.zip

[bob3160]

For me it's now working without any problems.
Don't know if the one of the VPS updates took care of the problem.

[REDACTED]

This problem has not been fixed.  Most of the time Web Shield blocks the VPN, occasionally it lets it through.
Turning off Web Shield, enabling VPN, and then turning Web Shield back on, will usually allow the VPN to work.  Sometimes it blocks it again after a few minutes.

This is a known, reproducible bug.  Why hasn't it been fixed?  I already submitted a bug report and log.


You can't force people to pay for your VPN by blocking the free one.  That will just make you enemies.

[bob3160]

Blocking what free one

[REDACTED]

I may have found a work-around.  AVG was causing the same problem in the same way - their equivalent of Web Shield was blocking the Opera SurfEasy VPN.  By adding *.operavpn.com* and *.operavpn.com.us* to the Exceptions list, their users were able to get the VPN and AVG to work together.  I tried the same thing with Avast and it seems to be working.  I'll post again after testing this for a few days.

[bob3160]

Again, what free VPN are you talking about

[REDACTED]

It is blocking SurfEasy VPN the free VPN included with Opera.  That is the topic of this thread.  Please try to keep up.

[REDACTED]

I accidentally referenced Avast's VPN when I meant SurfEasy, in an earlier post.  Fixed that error.

Unfortunately, adding the Opera and SurfEasy websites to the "Exclusions list" is not working after I stop and then restart Opera.  The Surf Easy VPN will NOT connect until I disable the Avast Web Shield; which is the same original problem I reported when I started this thread.

[REDACTED]

I think I solved this, finally.  I had to add *api.surfeasy.com* to the Exclusions list under the Web Shield component.  The wild cards are important!  Now the SurfEasy VPN turns on immediately when I start the Opera browser.  If anything changes I will post again, otherwise consider this problem solved with the above work-around.

[bob3160]

I accidentally referenced Avast's VPN when I meant SurfEasy, in an earlier post.  Fixed that error.

Unfortunately, adding the Opera and SurfEasy websites to the "Exclusions list" is not working after I stop and then restart Opera.  The Surf Easy VPN will NOT connect until I disable the Avast Web Shield; which is the same original problem I reported when I started this thread.

Settings, Components, WebShield, Customize, Exclusions, url to exclude: enter the following: https://api.surfeasy.com/* click on OK
That did the trick for me: