After installing or upgrading Avast One, Avast Security or Avast Premium Security on a Mac that is running macOS version 10.13 (High Sierra) or later, you need to allow all permissions so that your Avast product can fully protect your system. The Avast setup tutorial guides you through this process. For detailed instructions, refer to the steps in this article.
- This Mac is not fully protected
- Allow us to fully protect your Mac
- Missing kernel extensions
- Missing system extensions
- Allow Full Disk Access
- Add Avast certificates to the Keychain
Allow real-time protection
Granting permission to enable real-time protection allows Avast One to protect your Mac and detect malware in real time.
- Click See how to open the Avast One setup tutorial.
- Click Open System Preferences.
- If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
- Click Allow.
- Click Continue in the Avast One setup tutorial.
The necessary real-time protection permission is granted. If you are using macOS 11 (Big Sur) or macOS 12 (Monterey), the Avast One setup tutorial prompts you to add DNS proxy configurations. If you are using macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or lower, the Avast One setup tutorial prompts you to allow Full Disk Access.
Add DNS proxy configurations
Adding a DNS proxy to your Mac enables Avast One to actively monitor websites for threats while you browse the internet.
- Click Open confirmation dialog.
- Click Allow.
- Click Continue in the Avast One setup tutorial.
The necessary DNS proxy configurations are added. If prompted, continue with the steps below to allow Full Disk Access, otherwise, click Got it to close the Avast One setup tutorial.
Allow Full Disk Access
Allowing Full Disk Access enables Avast One to scan your entire Mac for hidden threats.
- Click Open system preferences in the Avast One setup tutorial.
- If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
- Select Avast One using either Option A or Option B below:
- Option A: Tick the box next to Avast One.
- Option B: Click the
+
plus icon, then select Avast One in the Applications folder, and click Open.
- Option A: Tick the box next to Avast One.
- Click Quit & Reopen (or Quit Now on macOS 10.15.x (Catalina) and earlier).
Full Disk Access is granted for Avast One. If prompted, continue with the steps below to add Avast certificates.
Add Avast certificates
Adding Avast certificates allows Avast One to stop browser threats. If you are prompted to add Avast certificates to the Keychain, follow the steps below:
- Click Open confirmation dialog in the Avast One setup tutorial.
- Enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click Update Settings.
- Click Continue in the Avast One setup tutorial.
- If prompted, click Got it.
Avast certificates are now added. If you are using macOS 12.x (Monterey), continue with the steps below to allow Focus access.
Allow Focus mode access
Allowing access to Focus mode enables Avast One to know when to silence notifications.
- On the main Avast One screen, go to
☰
Menu ▸ Preferences. - Select the Notifications tab.
- Tick the box next to Disable notifications when in Focus mode.
- Follow the relevant steps below depending on your screen:
- Confirmation dialog: If prompted by the confirmation dialog, click OK.
Access to Focus mode is now granted for Avast One. - Setup tutorial: If prompted by the Avast One setup tutorial, click Open system preferences and follow the steps below:
- If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
- Tick the box next to Avast One.
- If prompted, click Quit & Reopen.
- If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
- Confirmation dialog: If prompted by the confirmation dialog, click OK.
Allow real-time protection
Granting permission to enable real-time protection allows Avast Security to protect your Mac using the Core Shields that detect malware in real time.
- Click Continue in the Avast Security setup tutorial.
- Click Open system preferences.
- If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
- Click Allow.
- Click Continue in the Avast Security setup tutorial.
The necessary real-time protection permission is granted. If you are using macOS 11 (Big Sur) or macOS 12 (Monterey), the Avast Security setup tutorial prompts you to add DNS proxy configurations. If you are using macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or lower, the Avast Security setup tutorial prompts you to allow Full Disk Access.
Add DNS proxy configurations
Adding a DNS proxy to your Mac enables Avast Security to actively monitor websites for threats while you browse the internet.
- Click Open confirmation dialog.
- Click Allow.
- Click Continue in the Avast Security setup tutorial.
The necessary DNS proxy configurations are added. If prompted, continue with the steps below to allow Full Disk Access, otherwise, click Got it to close the Avast Security setup tutorial.
Allow Full Disk Access
Allowing Full Disk Access enables Avast Security to scan your entire Mac for hidden threats.
- Click Open system preferences in the Avast Security setup tutorial.
- If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
- Select Avast Security using either Option A or Option B below:
- Option A: Tick the box next to Avast Security.
- Option B: Click the
+
plus icon, then select Avast Security in the Applications folder, and click Open.
- Option A: Tick the box next to Avast Security.
- If prompted, click Quit & Reopen (or Quit Now on macOS 10.15.x (Catalina) and earlier).
Full Disk Access is now granted for Avast Security. If prompted, continue with the steps below to add Avast certificates.
Add Avast certificates
Adding Avast certificates allows Avast Security to stop browser threats. If you are prompted to add Avast certificates to the Keychain, follow the steps below:
- Click Open confirmation dialog in the Avast Security setup tutorial.
- Enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click Update Settings.
- Click Continue in the Avast Security setup tutorial.
- If prompted, click Got it.
All necessary permissions are now enabled.
Troubleshooting
If you are unable to allow the permissions described in this article, refer to the following article for help:
- Avast One 22.x for Mac
- Avast Premium Security 15.x for Mac
- Avast Security 15.x for Mac
- Apple macOS 12.x (Monterey)
- 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)