Webcam Shield - Getting Started

Webcam Shield, available in the latest version of Avast Premium Security (previously Avast Premier) and Avast Omni, prevents applications and malware from accessing your PC's webcam without your consent. With Webcam Shield enabled, untrusted applications cannot capture images or videos and send the content outside of your PC to compromise your privacy.

Access or disable Webcam Shield

Webcam Shield is enabled by default. We recommend keeping Webcam Shield turned on at all times. If you need to temporarily disable Webcam Shield for troubleshooting purposes, follow the instructions below:

1. Open the Avast user interface and go to Privacy ▸ Webcam Shield.
2. To disable the feature, click the green slider (ON) so that it changes to red (OFF).

Adjust Webcam Shield behavior

To adjust how Webcam Shield handles applications that attempt to access your webcam, follow the instructions below:

1. Open the Avast user interface and go to Privacy ▸ Webcam Shield.
2. Click the gear icon on the right-hand side of the Webcam Shield screen.
3. Use the drop-down menu to select how sensitively Webcam Shield monitors apps trying to access your Webcam (Smart mode is selected by default).
   • Smart: automatically allows trusted applications to access your webcam. If an untrusted application attempts to access your webcam, a notification appears asking you to allow or block the application. After selecting an option, the application appears on the Blocked & Allowed apps settings screen where you can view its status and select additional actions.
   • Strict: notifies you every time any application attempts to access your webcam and allows you to decide if the application is blocked or allowed. After selecting to block or allow an application, the application appears on the Blocked & Allowed apps settings screen where you can view its status and select additional actions.
   • No Mercy: automatically blocks all applications that attempt to access your webcam.

Manage blocked and allowed applications

When Webcam Shield is set to Smart or Strict mode, you receive notifications when applications attempt to access your PC's webcam, asking you to block or allow the application. After selecting your preference, the application is added to the Blocked & Allowed apps screen.

To open the Blocked & Allowed apps screen:

1. Open the Avast user interface and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
2. Select General ▸ Blocked & Allowed apps.

For detailed instructions on using the Blocked & Allowed apps screen, refer to the article below:

• Using the Blocked & Allowed apps settings screen in Avast Antivirus

Troubleshoot issues

Refer to the information below to troubleshoot common issues:

• Webcam Shield does not appear in the Privacy menu: ensure you are using the latest version of Avast Premium Security or Avast Omni. To update Avast, go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings ▸ Update and click Check for Updates in the application section.
  Webcam Shield is not available in Avast Internet Security, Avast Pro Antivirus, or Avast Free Antivirus.
• Webcam Shield displays pop-ups too frequently: ensure that Webcam Shield behavior is set to Smart. If Webcam Shield is set to Strict, Avast notifies you every time any application attempts to access your PC's webcam.
• Your PC's webcam stopped working: ensure that Webcam Shield behavior is set to Smart or Strict. If Webcam Shield is set to No Mercy, Avast prevents all applications from accessing your PC's webcam.