-- HOSTS file redirect a common malware tactic to block AV sites making it difficult to remove malware - 127.0.0.1 check your HOSTS file using notepad or a text editor of your choice, C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts or do a search for HOSTS to find it if not there.
Once open you are looking for entries with avast.com on the line, you may well see other AV sites, post the contents of the hosts file.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_fileIf you haven't already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and run it and report the findings (it should product a log file).
Don't worry about reported tracking cookies they are a minor issue and not one of security, allow SAS to deal with them though. - See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie.