Avast SecureLine VPN allows you to connect to the internet via secure Avast VPN servers, protecting your connection and ensuring your privacy.

Connect to the VPN

Avast SecureLine VPN can be used any time you want to connect to the internet with extra security and privacy, and is especially recommended when you are connected to a public or unsecured Wi-Fi network.

To connect to Avast SecureLine VPN:

1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select SecureLine VPN.
2. Click the red (OFF) slider so that it changes to green (ON).

You are now connected to the Avast SecureLine VPN default server. You can connect to a different location if needed.

Connect to a different location

Avast SecureLine VPN has servers in several locations, meaning you can bypass geolocation restrictions and access your favorite content while traveling.

To connect to a different location:

1. Click the drop-down arrow beside the currently selected VPN location.
2. Optionally, use the menu to search for a specific server, or view servers that are optimized for P2P file transfers.
3. Select a country. For countries that offer multiple cities, click the down arrow and select your preferred city.

Your location now shows as the country and city that you selected.

Choose a VPN mode

Avast SecureLine VPN offers two VPN modes. You can freely switch between the following modes according to your current needs:

• Smart mode (selected by default): Automatically connects or disconnects the VPN based on your current activity. By default, Smart VPN always connects you to the fastest server location available. You can customize how the application behaves while Smart VPN is enabled via your Smart VPN settings.
• Always on: Automatically turns on the VPN when you connect to the internet.

To switch between VPN modes:

1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select SecureLine VPN.
2. Go to Settings (the gear icon).
3. Ensure VPN mode is selected in the left panel.
4. Click the VPN Mode box and select between Smart mode or Always on according to your preferences.

Manage Smart VPN settings

To manage settings that apply when Smart mode is enabled:

1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select SecureLine VPN.
2. Go to Settings (the gear icon).
3. Ensure VPN mode and Smart VPN mode are selected.
4. Use the following settings to customize Smart VPN behavior:
   1. Always turn on VPN when: Tick the box next to an option if you want Smart VPN to automatically connect each time you perform this action. Smart VPN always connects to the fastest server location available for the actions you select.
   2. Turn on VPN when visiting these websites: Click Add website to add websites that always trigger Smart VPN connection. Enter the website domain (such as example.com) and optionally select a specific server location that Smart VPN will always connect to for this domain. Click Add to confirm your custom rule.
   3. Trusted sites: Click Add website to exclude specific websites from Smart VPN connection. Enter the website domain (such as example.com) and click Add. Smart VPN never connects when you visit a trusted website, regardless of your Smart rules settings.

Manage Advanced Settings

To manage advanced VPN settings:

1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select SecureLine VPN.
2. Go to Settings (the gear icon).
3. Select Advanced Settings.
4. Use the following settings to customize Avast SecureLine VPN behavior when Manual VPN mode is enabled:
   1. Activate Kill Switch: Block your internet connection if Avast VPN servers unexpectedly disconnect. This ensures that your online activity always remains private.
   2. Enable local device access when using VPN: Specify if you want access to local devices and shared drives while you are connected to a Trusted (private) network.
   3. VPN Protocols: Customize the VPN protocols:
      • Automatic (Recommended): Avast SecureLine VPN automatically selects the best protocol for maximum speed and security.
      • WireGuard: Avast SecureLine VPN always connects using WireGuard.
      • Mimic: Avast SecureLine VPN always connects using the Mimic protocol. This is useful in countries with restrictions on VPN use, where OpenVPN may be blocked.
      • OpenVPN: Avast SecureLine VPN always connects using the OpenVPN protocol.
      

Troubleshooting

If Avast SecureLine VPN is unable to establish a connection, try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Check that your internet connection works when Avast SecureLine VPN is disconnected. If your internet connection is not working, check your network configuration.
• Select a different Avast server location.
• Disconnect other VPN services that may be running on your Windows device. If you are connected to another VPN, it is likely that Avast SecureLine VPN will not work properly.
• Restart your Windows device and try connecting to Avast SecureLine VPN again.
• Confirm that your subscription is active. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select Account. Ensure Active appears next to Avast SecureLine VPN.

If Avast SecureLine VPN is still unable to establish a connection, try to uninstall and reinstall the Avast One application. For detailed instructions, refer to the following articles:

• Uninstalling Avast One
• Installing Avast One

Updated on: 15/09/2025