My Avast Firewall is preventing a connection from my Mac.

[REDACTED]

Hi,

I have a MacBook and a PC.  I share files between the two quite often.  I have not had a problem until I recently installed Avast Internet Security on my PC.  When the firewall is off on my PC, I can connect my Mac to my PC and share files.  However, when the Firewall is on, I am unable to connect my Mac to the PC.  Incidentally, I can connect and share files from my PC to my Mac.   

I do not know if I need to add a rule, or change the settings in the firewall for Avast in order to allow the connection.  If this is the case, can someone please tell me what I need to do to change the configuration to allow the connection?

Many thanks,
A

[REDACTED]

I have a similar problem. Avast firewall prevents me to go on my own site. When it is OFF everything works fine. I set an exception for my url but the problem still exists. Hope somebody answers...

[NON]

Similar issues everywhere, including me...
It is the port blocking feature which might block these connections, you can see this blockage from "Firewall Logs" -> "Rules".

See:

Firewall block all local IP adress: 192.168.1.* After updating
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=199857.0

Avast Firewall is automatically IP blocking a trusted website
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=200058.0

[Eddy]

If you have Windows 7 (or higher) there is no need to pay for the avast firewall.
Pure waste of money in my opinion as the firewall in Windows is already doing the same job.
I would say , remove the avast firewall.

On a note, the best firewall is a good hardware one.

[REDACTED]

Similar issues everywhere, including me...
It is the port blocking feature which might block these connections, you can see this blockage from "Firewall Logs" -> "Rules".

See:

Firewall block all local IP adress: 192.168.1.* After updating
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=199857.0

Avast Firewall is automatically IP blocking a trusted website
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=200058.0

Thank you for the reply.  I noted that this is a known issue and that it has been going on for awhile already.  I tried stopping the Port Scan Detection, but that has made no difference. 

I still can't share files from my Mac to my PC without disabling the firewall.  I'm not happy about this at all.

I was in touch with Avast over the weekend about another matters to do with my license and I have not heard back from them at all.  I am bitterly disappointed.   I will not renew my Avast software and ensue that people on Facebook/Twitter are aware how bad Avast has become. 

[REDACTED]

aixsete, please see this topic: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=200552.msg1385557#msg1385557
You might try to disable "Automatic port scan detection" without completely disabling firewall.

[NON]

@aixsete

Is there any "Blocked" entry in Firewall logs containing your Mac's IP address?

[REDACTED]

aixsete, please see this topic: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=200552.msg1385557#msg1385557
You might try to disable "Automatic port scan detection" without completely disabling firewall.

Thank you for your reply.  I tried that and it made no difference. 

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@aixsete

Is there any "Blocked" entry in Firewall logs containing your Mac's IP address?

Thank you for your reply as well.  Yes, there are entries for my Mac's IP Address in the logs (see link to image below).  This is with the Automatic port scan detection selected. 

http://imgur.com/QEkwIlY

I really don't know what to do anymore.  I thought I had added a rule that would allow it, but nothing has made a difference.  The settings are now back to default settings.  Do you have any suggestions?  I would really appreciate it. 

[NON]

As your image says "Public Tcp/Udp In Block", this must be "Packet Rules" in Firewall setting.
There would be two ways;

• If you set Firewall profile to "Public", then change it to "Private"
• Modify (in this case, remove) concerned packet rules from Firewall -> Settings -> Policies -> PACKET RULES -> Packet Rules (NOT recommended)

If you choose way 1 and still have problems, try this;
Firewall -> Settings -> Policies -> PREFERENCES -> Enable "Allow all connections with Friends in Private mode"

Hope this helps.

[REDACTED]

As your image says "Public Tcp/Udp In Block", this must be "Packet Rules" in Firewall setting.
There would be two ways;

• If you set Firewall profile to "Public", then change it to "Private"

Thank you for your reply.  The above suggestion worked.  I changed it from Public to Private and not it connects.  I appreciate your very much. 

[NON]

You're welcome, glad to hear it worked