> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bigbluebutton.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Antivirus software causes issues while connecting to a BigBlueButton Session

> Resolve antivirus connection errors by temporarily disabling the Web Shield in Avast or similar antivirus software.

Users running Avast or similar antivirus software may see a connection error when joining a BigBlueButton session. Temporarily disabling the antivirus **Web Shield** restores access.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/testcompany-0e915c76/RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz/images/Capture.PNG?fit=max&auto=format&n=RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz&q=85&s=069455b7e933cd5d529a184daa95438e" alt="Antivirus connection error shown when joining a BigBlueButton session" width="656" height="825" data-path="images/Capture.PNG" />
</Frame>

## Disable the Web Shield

To open the antivirus dashboard, launch your antivirus software.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/testcompany-0e915c76/RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz/images/2.PNG?fit=max&auto=format&n=RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz&q=85&s=9d206f768568734a84807170187e7912" alt="Avast antivirus dashboard" width="1120" height="751" data-path="images/2.PNG" />
</Frame>

To open the protection settings, select **Protection** **\[1]**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/testcompany-0e915c76/RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz/images/3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz&q=85&s=c683ace8e4998b0dd9c9aded44ed1560" alt="Protection icon highlighted in the Avast sidebar" width="1120" height="751" data-path="images/3.png" />
</Frame>

To view the active shields, select **Core Shields** **\[1]**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/testcompany-0e915c76/RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz/images/4.PNG?fit=max&auto=format&n=RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz&q=85&s=6b07d7082819de7a8fecb00542f5b1cc" alt="Core Shields option inside the Protection menu" width="1102" height="737" data-path="images/4.PNG" />
</Frame>

To disable web filtering, select **Web Shield** **\[1]** and switch it off.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/testcompany-0e915c76/RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz/images/5.PNG?fit=max&auto=format&n=RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz&q=85&s=86c26ae5d5cac0e9cd90a9532506a263" alt="Web Shield toggle inside Core Shields" width="1102" height="678" data-path="images/5.PNG" />
</Frame>

To choose the duration, select the option that matches how long the session will run.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/testcompany-0e915c76/RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz/images/6.PNG?fit=max&auto=format&n=RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz&q=85&s=ab25e5394718af3212dfcc9f13b3b271" alt="Duration options for disabling Web Shield" width="754" height="392" data-path="images/6.PNG" />
</Frame>

The **Web Shield** icon turns from green to red, confirming the shield is off.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/testcompany-0e915c76/RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz/images/7.PNG?fit=max&auto=format&n=RmXu8E6GnKvKk9Bz&q=85&s=af5d6441eeef9930d448db83aff34ca4" alt="Web Shield icon shown in red after being disabled" width="1107" height="729" data-path="images/7.PNG" />
</Frame>

<Tip>
  After the **Web Shield** is disabled, rejoin the BigBlueButton session. Re-enable the shield once the session ends to restore full protection.
</Tip>