Avast may block a website for various reasons, but one common reason is if the website has a history of phishing or has been blacklisted by Avast. Phishing refers to the act of tricking users into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details, by posing as a trustworthy entity.
Avast, like other antivirus software, has a feature called the Web Shield that scans websites for potential threats. When the Web Shield detects a harmful webpage or file, it blocks access to protect the user from potential harm. This is why you may see the error message “avast! Web Shield has blocked a harmful webpage or file” when trying to access a particular website.
To determine if a website is harmful, Avast relies on a constantly updated database of known malicious websites and suspicious activities. If a website is found to be engaging in phishing or other malicious activities, it may be added to Avast’s blacklist. When you try to visit a blacklisted website, Avast will block access to protect you from potential scams or malware.
It’s important to note that Avast’s blocking mechanism is not perfect and may occasionally flag legitimate websites as harmful. This can happen if a website shares the same IP address or domain as a blacklisted site, or if the website contains elements that trigger Avast’s security algorithms. In such cases, you can report the false positive to Avast so they can investigate and update their database accordingly.
Another reason why Avast may block a website is if it detects a potential threat on the website itself. This could be due to malware embedded in the website’s code or suspicious files that are being downloaded. Avast’s Web Shield scans websites in real-time and blocks access if it detects any such threats.
In some cases, Avast may also block a website based on user feedback or community reports. If multiple users report a website as suspicious or harmful, Avast may temporarily block access to the site until it can be thoroughly investigated.
To summarize, Avast may block a website if it has a history of phishing or is blacklisted by Avast. It may also block a website if it detects potential threats or if there are user reports indicating suspicious activity. If you encounter the “Avast blocking websites” error, it is likely because Avast is trying to protect you from potential harm.