Avast Blocking Remote Access – Fix

TL;DR

Avast’s Remote Access Shield is overly sensitive and often blocks legitimate connections from other devices on your home network. This guide shows you how to temporarily disable it, add an exception for the MacBook, or adjust Avast settings for a more relaxed approach.

Step-by-step Solution

1. Understand the Problem
   • Avast Remote Access Shield is designed to protect against unwanted remote connections.
   • It can sometimes incorrectly identify legitimate attempts from devices on your local network (like a MacBook) as threats.
   • This guide focuses on allowing access from a known, trusted device.
2. Temporarily Disable the Shield (For Testing)

   To confirm if the shield is causing the issue, temporarily disable it:

   1. Open Avast Antivirus.
   2. Click on Protection in the left-hand menu.
   3. Select Firewall.
   4. Click on the Shields tab.
   5. Find Remote Access Shield and click the toggle switch to turn it OFF.
   6. Avast will ask for confirmation; confirm you want to disable it.

   Now, try connecting from your MacBook again. If it works, proceed to step 3.

3. Add an Exception for the MacBook’s IP Address

   Adding an exception allows Avast to ignore connections from a specific device (your MacBook). You’ll need your MacBook’s local IP address. Here’s how to find it:

   • On your MacBook: Open System Preferences > Network.
   • Select the network connection you are using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
   • The IP address will be displayed next to ‘IP Address’. It will look something like 192.168.1.x.

   Now, add the exception in Avast:

   1. Open Avast Antivirus.
   2. Click on Protection in the left-hand menu.
   3. Select Firewall.
   4. Click on Settings (the cogwheel icon).
   5. Scroll down to Exceptions and click Add Exception.
   6. Choose ‘IP Address’.
   7. Enter the MacBook’s IP address you found earlier.
   8. Click Save.
4. Adjust Avast’s Sensitivity (Alternative)

   If adding an exception doesn’t work, or you prefer a less restrictive approach, adjust the sensitivity of the Remote Access Shield:

   1. Open Avast Antivirus.
   2. Click on Protection in the left-hand menu.
   3. Select Firewall.
   4. Click on Settings (the cogwheel icon).
   5. Under ‘Remote Access Shield’, look for a sensitivity setting. It might be labelled as ‘Sensitivity Level’ or similar.
   6. Change the setting to Low or Medium.

   Be aware that lowering the sensitivity reduces cyber security protection, so only do this if you trust all devices on your network.

5. Check Windows Firewall (Less Common)

   Although Avast usually handles remote access rules, it’s worth checking Windows Firewall just in case:

   1. Search for ‘Windows Defender Firewall’ in the Start menu and open it.
   2. Click on ‘Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall’.
   3. Ensure that Remote Desktop (if you’re using it) is checked for both Private and Public networks. If not, click Change settings to allow it.
6. Restart Both Computers

   After making any changes, restart both your Windows computer and the MacBook to ensure the new settings take effect.