@ ds123
As far as I'm aware there is no asw or ashWebSv.exe in avast 5 and that includes AIS, the file is avastSvc.exe and that controls all resident scanners. Who gave you that advice as it would be more akin to avast 4.8 not 5.0 ?
As mag said, the rules for the various avast functions should already be set in AIS as it wouldn't make sense to block its own processes.
This is the advice i was given though i was not sure about localhost.My name is Michal and I will assist you today.
In fact, avast! doesn't block the Internet pages browsing if your computer is configured properly. If you have this kind of problem and turning avast! off helps, it means that one part of avast!, the Web Shield, doesn't have access to the Internet. The solution is easy - allow the Web Shield to connect to Internet in your firewall.
Ensure that the Web Shield process ashWebSv.dll is listed as an application that is permitted to connect to the web in your firewall configuration. It also needs a permission to act as a server and accept incoming connections from localhost (the local machine) on TCP port 12080.
Some firewall do require you have a rule for incoming connection from localhost. Please check that too.
If you don't know ho to configure your firewall, refer to its online help or contact the help desk.
The summary: it is NOT avast! that blocks the browsing, but your incorrectly adjusted firewall or another misconfiguration of your network settings.
If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to contact me again
