I started to get the above error message in Avast One Essential (after years of using it without a problem), so I replaced it with AVG and promptly got the same message - which blocks me from viewing the dashboard, scanning, or doing anything else. I do use a VPN (Proton), but only with U.S. servers - so the problem can’t be explained by virtue of appearing to be in a blocked country. Even more frustrating, it doesn’t help to change servers on the VPN or even to disconnect from it entirely - I have to restart the computer, which is a huge pain.
Anyone else experiencing this? Any suggestions?