Avast versions 17.9 2322 & 17.8.2318 block Road Angel Gem Updater

[Dave250]

Ever since Avast upgraded to 17.8.2318 I've been unable to update my road speed camera warning device, Road Angel Gem.

Their updater is unable to connect to their servers. I've asked their Tech Support for port numbers and URL but they are so non-technical they don't even understand the question! - so can anyone here suggest how I can find out what Avast is now doing to stop the updater working.

I know it's Avast causing the problem as when I uninstall Avast  the updater works - yes I did re-install Avast!!!

I can't find out what IP/URL it is trying to access from my router log or with Wireshark as Avast blocks it - and Road Angel's technical guys seem to be on go slow.

Any hints of what to exclude would be welcome - yes I have excluded the .exe executable file that does the update.

I have also turned all ALL shields for 10 minutes - which made no difference (so as suggestion to turn off Web Shield made by a member here wasn't the solution).

Something you changed/added in 17.8.2318 has caused this problem as I've been using Avast for several years with no problems.

At the moment I have REPLACED Avast on one of my PCs with a competitor product so that I can update my Road Angel - I want to remain loyal to Avast but if this isn't sorted out then you will lose a customer...

[bob3160]

What part of Avast is blocking it Sounds like  firewall problem if you're using Avast IS or above.
If that's the case, this should help:
https://www.avast.com/en-eu/faq.php?article=AVKB25

[Dave250]

I have Avast Free not IS, so the firewall isn't enabled.

It's none of the shields in Avast Free since disabling them still leaves the update blocked.

I have added the folder containing the executable to the Exclusions.

What else can I (temporarily) disable in Avast Free to debug this problem? Should I (temporarily) try Passive Mode - but will that give any debug information?

[bob3160]

I have Avast Free not IS, so the firewall isn't enabled.

It's none of the shields in Avast Free since disabling them still leaves the update blocked.

I have added the folder containing the executable to the Exclusions.

What else can I (temporarily) disable in Avast Free to debug this problem? Should I (temporarily) try Passive Mode - but will that give any debug information?

Sounds like the problem is not Avast.

[Dave250]

It most certainly IS Avast, because uninstalling Avast (no other changes) makes the update work!

But that isn't a solution as it leaves my PC unprotected.

It's a NEW problem since earlier version of Avast (which I have used for several years) allowed the update without any problem - so something has been changed in Avast which has caused this problem - no ifs, no buts, no maybes.

[bob3160]

Operating System Other Security Programs

[Dave250]

Both unchanged - W8.1 64-bit, Malwarebytes

As said twice previously uninstalling Avast makes the update work, and update worked with previous versions of Avast (with same OS and same version of Malwarebytes).

A change in Avast has caused the problem - whether directly or because of an interaction with the OS or Malwarebytes.

[bob3160]

Guess you'll need to wait for Avast or someone else that uses this game.
What Firewall are you using

[Dave250]

Guess you'll need to wait for Avast or someone else that uses this game.

It's not a game - it's speed camera detector hardware 

What Firewall are you using

No separate software firewall, but I have the hardware firewall in my router - no I haven't changed that and the updates do get through it from other PCs not running Avast (and my MacBook).