I’ve never used avast but this sounds like it could be the problem. “error about not being able to get the web filter thingy going” If their method is to install it to the kernel, or as a pass-through driver. What does safe mode with networking do? (Reboot, F8, choose safe mode with networking) Your browser is not the issue. Did you install a firewall aside from windows firewall? Best free anti-virus is AVG to date. free.grisoft.com should still be available. Very high detection rates. Free updates. Best commercial app for malware so far is prevx (yearly license). Why? Analysis based detection, looking at behavior rather than matching with a list. Very good with brand new malware that no one else knows about.