Password I Don't Have

[DataRat]

I have used Avast Free for some time. Suddenly a couple weeks ago it started giving me a message window whenever I'd try to enter configuration. Said "an attempt" was made to enter a "protected area" and I'd have to give a password.  I never set-up a password in Avast ! I'm locked out. Help !

[DavidR]

If you didn't set it, is it possible someone else has access to your computer ?

The only easy way round it is to do a clean reinstall of avast:
- Download the latest version of avast, 6.0.1367 http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again (if you didn't save your last download). Use that when you reinstall.

- Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, aswClear.exe find it here and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for both 5.x and 6.0.x).

• 1. Now uninstall avast! (using add remove programs, if you can't do that start from the next step), reboot.
• 2. run the avast! Uninstall Utility from safe mode, first for 5.x if previously installed and then for 6.0, once complete reboot into normal mode.
• 3. install the latest version, reboot.

[DataRat]

Nobody else has access to my PC. Thank for all the info. Shall try it and report back.

The DataRat

[DavidR]

You're welcome.