My windows hosts file changed somehow.

[REDACTED]

Is this normal?

72.246.103.19 v6197912.iavs9x.u.avast.com

[mchain]

What is the question?

[REDACTED]

When I checked my hosts file, a strange ip was added for 'v6197912.iavs9x.u.avast.com'.

I was wondering if the Avast Antivirus service added that or some virus/malware caused it.

[mchain]

https://www.findip-address.com/72.246.103.19
IP identified as akamaitechnologies.com

Do you think avast is the source of your malware infection?

[REDACTED]

Well, I am not blaming avast for malware infection right now, although it's supposed to protect me from it.

As I said I was just wondering if it is something that I have to worry about.

[DavidR]

Looks more like an avast update server address v6197912.iavs9x.u.avast.com provided by Akamai (Akamai: Cloud Delivery, Performance, and Security) a CND Content Delivery Network.

Though why or who it would be added to the HOSTS file, I don't know. There is nothing in my HOSTS file for my Win10 or winXP systems, I haven't checked my win7 system.

[bob3160]

Reported to Avast.
I also don't have anything like that in my host file.

[bob3160]

Well, I am not blaming avast for malware infection right now, although it's supposed to protect me from it.

As I said I was just wondering if it is something that I have to worry about.

Make sure the Self Defense Module is turned on:

Here's the reply I received from Avast:
"Sorry, I am not aware of any Avast component, which would add such line into etc\hosts file
In fact, self defense (if enabled) should remove such lines automatically"