When you connect to an unsecured public Wi-Fi network (such as in an airport or cafe), attackers can capture sensitive data, such as logins and passwords. Connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks using Avast SecureLine VPN provides effective protection against these types of attacks.
This article explains how to configure Avast SecureLine VPN to turn on automatically when your device is connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
Enable auto connect
- Double-click the Avast SecureLine VPN icon on your Windows desktop to open the application.
- Click the Auto-Connect icon in the right panel.
If the Auto-Connect icon does not appear, this option is already enabled. - Click Set it up.
- Tick the box next to Automatically when connected to the Internet.
- If you do not want Avast SecureLine VPN to automatically turn on when you connect to a private network (such as your home or work network), ensure the box next to Exclude private networks is ticked.
Avast SecureLine VPN now turns on automatically when your PC connects to a public Wi-Fi network. In most cases, Avast SecureLine VPN can detect if a network is private or public and apply the appropriate settings.
For more information, refer to the Manage public and private networks section of this article.
- Click Go ▸ Applications in the Apple menu bar, then double-click the Avast SecureLine VPN icon to open the application.
- Click the Auto-Connect icon in the right panel.
If the Auto-Connect icon does not appear, this option is already enabled. - Click Set it up.
- Tick the box next to Automatically when connected to the Internet.
Avast SecureLine VPN now turns on automatically when your Mac connects to an unsecured network. An unsecured network is any network that is not on your list of Trusted Networks.
To learn how to add a network to your list of trusted networks, refer to the Add a trusted network section of this article.
- Tap the Avast SecureLine icon on the Home screen of your device. The app opens.
- Tap
Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect. 
- Tap the gray (Off) slider at the top of the screen so that it changes to green (On).
- Select Unsecured Wi-Fi. If prompted, tap Allow and follow the on-screen instructions to allow Avast SecureLine VPN to access your location.
Avast SecureLine VPN now turns on automatically when your Android device connects to an unsecured network. An unsecured network is any network that is not on your list of Trusted networks.
To learn how to add a network to your list of trusted networks, refer to the Add a trusted network section of this article.
- Tap the SecureLine icon on the Home screen of your device. The app opens.
- Go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
If the Auto Connect option is unavailable, Avast SecureLine VPN may not have permission to connect automatically. To grant the necessary permissions, tap Connect on the main app screen and follow the on-screen instructions. - Select When I connect to Wi-Fi.
Avast SecureLine VPN now turns on automatically when your iOS device connects to an unsecured network. An unsecured network is any network that is not on your list of Trusted networks.
To learn how to add a network to your list of trusted networks, refer to the Add a trusted network section of this article.
Add a trusted network
You can add private networks, such as your home or work Wi-Fi, to your list of trusted networks. These trusted networks are excluded from your VPN auto-connect settings.
Follow these steps:
- Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to
☰Menu ▸ Preferences.
- Ensure VPN mode and Manual VPN Mode are selected,
...or click Network security in the left panel on systems running Apple macOS 10.14 or earlier. - Ensure the box next to Exclude trusted networks is ticked.
- Click Edit networks.
- Click Add to trusted networks next to your current network.
Your current network now appears on your list of trusted networks.
- Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
- Tap Trusted networks.
- Tap the
+plus icon next to your current network.
Your current network now appears on your list of trusted networks.
- Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
- Tap Trusted networks.
- Tap the
+plus icon next to your current network.
Your current network now appears on your list of trusted networks.
Manage public and private networks
If you need to manually define whether a network is public or private:
- Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to
☰Menu ▸ Settings.
- Ensure VPN mode and Manual VPN Mode are selected,
...or click Network security in the left panel on systems running Windows 8 or Windows 7. 
- Ensure the box next to Exclude private networks is ticked.
- Click Edit networks.
- Use the slider to define whether your current network is Public or Private, then click Close.
The current network is now defined according to your preferences.
Disable auto connect
Follow these steps:
- Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to
☰Menu ▸ Settings. - Ensure that VPN mode and Manual VPN mode are selected, ...or click Network security in the left panel on systems running Windows 8 or Windows 7.
- Untick the box next to Automatically when connected to the internet.
Avast SecureLine VPN no longer turns on automatically when your PC connects to a public network. To re-enable this option, refer to the Enable auto connect section in this article.
- Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to
☰Menu ▸ Preferences. - Ensure VPN mode and Manual VPN Mode are selected, ...or click Network security in the left panel on systems running Apple macOS 10.14 or earlier.
- Untick the box next to Automatically when connected to the internet.
Avast SecureLine VPN no longer turns on automatically when your Mac connects to an unsecured network. To re-enable this option, refer to the Enable auto connect section in this article.
- Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
- Tap the green (On) slider at the top of the screen so that it changes to gray (Off).
Avast SecureLine VPN no longer turns on automatically when your Android device connects to an unsecured network. To re-enable this option, refer to the Enable auto connect section in this article.
- Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
- Select Never.
Avast SecureLine VPN no longer turns on automatically when your iOS device connects to an unsecured network. To re-enable this option, refer to the Enable auto connect section in this article.
- Avast SecureLine VPN 5.x for Windows
- Avast SecureLine VPN 4.x for Mac
- Avast SecureLine VPN 6.x for Android
- Avast SecureLine VPN 6.x for iOS
- Microsoft Windows 10 Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 8.1 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 8 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Enterprise / Ultimate - Service Pack 1, 32 / 64-bit
- Apple macOS 11.x (Big Sur)
- Apple macOS 10.15.x (Catalina)
- Apple macOS 10.14.x (Mojave)
- Apple macOS 10.13.x (High Sierra)
- Apple macOS 10.12.x (Sierra)
- Google Android 6.0 (Marshmallow, API 23) or later
- Apple iOS 13.0 or later
- Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
