Why can't I reach avast?

[DavidR]

You should be able to reach that page even if there was a HOSTS file redirect.

Unless whatever changed the host file, assigned 127.0.0.1 as the address for the avast enteries.
127.0.0.1  www.avast.com

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Your selective quote left out my URL (http://75.126.53.166/eng/home-registration.php) which uses an IP address and not a domain name, which 'will' get through unless they have added an entry for every IP address for avast.com, which would be highly unlikely

[oldman]

Sorry about that. I didn't really read the link, just assumed you where referencing the duplicate post. You are right that link have had to be in the hosts file. Would be interesting to see what was in the file though.

[ianmcallister]

Thanks to everyone who helped. I apologise for posting my question twice, I wasn't sure which of the two I should  post under so I did it in both. Newbie mistake, sorry.
Ian

[DavidR]

Your welcome, I'm sure you won't do it again

The main thing is that the problem is resolved.

Did you test with some of the other applications I suggested ?