How do you get to the URL blocker?

[cheater87]

Also how does it work?

[oldman]

Left click the avast icon, select web shield, customize button, url blocker tab.

Read help file for more info.

[Marmot]

Hi, cheater87.
Oldman is right about the configuration.  However, no offense to either Avast! team or oldman, personally, I found it one of the most awkward functions in Avast!  How about using browser-based blocking apps such as SpywareBlaster for IE and Firefox, IE-SPYAD for IE/IE engine based browsers, Ad Hunter plug-in for Maxthon and Adblock with Filterset.G for Firefox?

If you'd like to have URL blocking function deep in your system, then, how about trying out ease-of-use Hostsman or simple Hoster?

If you feel bit overwhelmed by the info, I'd recommend SpywareBlaster, first.

[DavidR]

Also how does it work?

It basically monitor content of web HTTP traffic before it is saved to your temporary internet files, if something harmful is found it is blocked and you are informed and asked for an action. I suggest a browse of the avast help file, Resident Scanners, Web Shield.

Web Shield - Provider Settings

Web Shield provider protects your computer from viruses that may infect your computer when browsing the Internet - especially when downloading files from web pages.

If you - possibly by mistake - download an infected file and try to start it, avast! will prevent the infection thanks to its Standard Shield provider (which scans all files that you start of open). With Web Shield, however, the virus will be detected even sooner - during the download of the file. So, Web Shield makes your computer even safer than before.

This provider also makes it possible to block specific URL addresses.

[Marmot]

Also how does it work?

It basically monitor content of web HTTP traffic before it is saved to your temporary internet files, if something harmful is found it is blocked and you are informed and asked for an action. I suggest a browse of the avast help file, Resident Scanners, Web Shield.

Web Shield - Provider Settings

Web Shield provider protects your computer from viruses that may infect your computer when browsing the Internet - especially when downloading files from web pages.

If you - possibly by mistake - download an infected file and try to start it, avast! will prevent the infection thanks to its Standard Shield provider (which scans all files that you start of open). With Web Shield, however, the virus will be detected even sooner - during the download of the file. So, Web Shield makes your computer even safer than before.

This provider also makes it possible to block specific URL addresses.

Thanks, DavidR.  Then, basically it was not supposed to be an independent URL blocker but just as a so-called blacklist function for Web Shield, which is why it appears to be awkward compared with specialized URL blockers.  Sorry, Avast! team, then. 

[DavidR]

Hi, cheater87.
Oldman is right about the configuration.  However, no offense to either Avast! team or oldman, personally, I found it one of the most awkward functions in Avast! 

There is nothing wrong with the Web Shield provider, lets get that bit correct, however, the URL Blocking function (within Web Shield) isn't ever going to be a hard core blocking tool. I don't think they will take offence, even members of the Alwil Team on the forums have said as much, it isn't designed for that kind of blocking function.

The only thing I have in the URL Blocking is *.pif to block a specific file type, but for general malware URL blocking I to use SpywareBlaster as you mentioned plus AdBlock my firewall also has an Ad blocking function (which I have disabled because of adblock) and AdHunter in Maxthon.

[cheater87]

I have spywareblaster its great