Hi, I am not a computer expert or security expert so need help. I’m just a web developer. I just bought a brand new Lenovo HP Windows 11 laptop. I already had been using Avast for years and have a paid plan, so installed it right away. We live in a house with multiple wifi extenders so I can work online on the third floor. The router and wifi have worked fine for the last 6 months until I bought this new laptop and installed Avast just a few days ago.
Now, no matter what I do, the internet cuts off at any given second constantly to the point where I cannot say I have internet access. I’m worried the laptop could be updating and internet could be cut off at any second. I can no longer work on websites or update them because internet can be cut at any second and does. I’ve had the laptop cut off while writing someone back, while trying to send emails, during online chats, and so forth. Work that normally would take me a few minutes now takes hours to days because Avast shows connection errors, “new” connections which are the same one renamed over and over again, or cuts off all the time.
Every other second I get pop ups from Avast telling me the connection is secure or not secure or a new connection or a new connection is just created constantly - even though it is the same router downstairs my wife uses without any issue with the same model laptop and same router and same Avast subscription.
I uninstalled Avast a few minutes ago hoping my laptop will now let me work online without constantly cutting off every other second and it only has Windows Defender on it. But I know nothing about Windows Defender or how to make sure THOSE settings are okay and won’t block me from internet use but also keep my laptop safe.
Here are the laptop specs that I know:
Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core™ i7-13700H 2.40 GHz
Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)
Device ID 90E5ECC6-D074-4850-9AB3-AFFB430E99F5
Product ID 00342-21152-03192-AAOEM
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display
Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 23H2
Installed on 2/19/2024
OS build 22631.3155
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22684.1000.0
Manufacturer HP
Can anyone please help?
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windows defender is perfectly fine, does it happen now since you took avast off
Defender is now on par with the best AV software so third party AV is no longer needed. There may be a setting in Avast like VPN which is disconnecting you from the internet so if you decide to install it again I’d check for that. Also ensure you’re installing the latest version.
Some users on the Avast forum say disabling web shield fixes it.
I uninstalled Avast approximately 5 minutes ago and so far the wifi has not cut off on me yet. I keep expecting it to due to the way it has been for the last several days. It’s felt like something out of a movie, where every other second it cuts off and I get a pop up about a “new” connection even after I marked every connection and router as safe over and over again. If I still have reliable wifi 30 minutes form now it will be a huge deal and I’ll know Avast is blocking internet use for some reason in the settings or just not saving settings.
Could you recommend any Defender tutorials on how to properly set the correct or best settings? I do banking on this laptop but also work on websites and write alot and do some consulting on the side but have minimal experience with antvirus programs and laptop security protocols.
We use ProtonVPN on our SmartTV downstairs but it’s off most of the time and not installed on this new laptop.
What is web shield exactly? Also are you aware of any good tutorials for making sure Windows Defender is properly set up? I can’t believe the wifi has not cut off so far in the last 30 minutes since I uninstalled Avast!
just use windows defender, it does everything you need and there really isnt a need for any other antivirus
Update: Wifi just cut off again and would not reconnect even though the modem extender is about 10 feet away from me and has worked fine for the last 6 months. I don’t know what to do. I can only work on the first floor now.
Web shield was mentioned on the Avast forum so I have no idea where it is, it sounds like their firewall or malware protection for the internet tbh. https://businesshelp.avast.com/Content/Products/AfB_Antivirus/ConfiguringSettings/WebShield.htm
Is the disconnection still happening with Avast removed? If not then I would cleanly remove Avast.