Avast SecureLine VPN for Android allows you to specify rules for your VPN connection behavior. This article explains how to enable Split Tunneling, Kill Switch, Wi-Fi Threat Shield, Local Network Bypass, and VPN Protocol.

For basic information about how to use Avast SecureLine VPN or the auto-connect feature, refer to the following articles:

• Avast SecureLine VPN for Android and iOS - Getting Started
• Enabling auto-connect in Avast SecureLine VPN

Split Tunneling

Split Tunneling ensures that certain apps never connect to the internet via Avast VPN servers, even when Avast SecureLine VPN is enabled. For example, you can specify that your email app is excluded from VPN connection, allowing you to send and receive emails from your real location, but still access online content without restrictions when you use your preferred web browser app.

To exclude apps from VPN connection:

1. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the main app screen.
2. Select Split Tunneling, then tap the white (Off) slider so that it changes to green (On).
3. All apps are ticked by default. Untick any apps that you want to exclude from Avast SecureLine VPN connection.

When you use an excluded app, your connection is not encrypted and your real location is visible.

Kill Switch

If your VPN suddenly disconnects, your real IP address and other sensitive information could be exposed and your online activity tracked. To protect your data from leaking, Kill Switch blocks all internet traffic if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops.

To enable Kill Switch:

1. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the main app screen.
2. Select Kill Switch.
3. Tap Open Android Settings.
4. Tap the Settings icon next to Avast SecureLine.
5. Tap the white (OFF) slider next to Always-on VPN so that it changes to blue (ON).
6. Tap the white (OFF) slider next to Block connections without VPN so that it changes to blue (ON). Then select Turn on.

Kill Switch is now enabled. Tap the back arrow to return to Avast SecureLine VPN.

To disable Kill Switch, follow steps 1-4 above, then tap the blue (ON) slider next to Always-on VPN so that it changes to white (OFF). Kill Switch is now disabled. Tap the back arrow to return to Avast SecureLine VPN.

Wi-Fi Threat Shield

When your VPN is off, Avast SecureLine VPN runs a quick scan to check if the Wi-Fi network you are connected to is safe. If a threat is detected and Wi-Fi Threat Shield is enabled, we automatically turn on your VPN to protect your privacy.

To enable Wi-Fi Threat Shield:

1. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the main app screen.
2. Select Wi-Fi Threat Shield, then tap the white (Off) slider so that it changes to green (On).

Your VPN will now turn on automatically when you connect to a suspicious Wi-Fi network.

Local Network Bypass

While using the VPN, your real IP address is hidden and you are unable to connect to other devices that share your network (such as printers, Chromecast, etc). Enabling Local Network Bypass allows you to access these devices even while connected to the VPN.

To enable Local Network Bypass:

1. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the main app screen.
2. Select Local network bypass, then tap the white (Off) slider so that it changes to green (On).

Your connection with local devices is not encrypted.

VPN Protocol

A VPN protocol determines how your device communicates with our secure VPN servers to set up a connection. If you experience any connection issues, we recommend switching to a different VPN protocol.

To select a different VPN protocol:

1. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the main app screen.
2. Select VPN Protocol.
3. Choose one of the following options:
   • Automatic (recommended): Where possible, Avast SecureLine VPN connects using OpenVPN protocol. If OpenVPN connection fails, the application automatically switches to Mimic protocol.
   • WireGuard: Connects with a fast, secure, and trusted open-source protocol.
   • Mimic: Disguises the connection so that it cannot be identified that you are using a VPN, which is useful in countries with VPN restrictions that may block OpenVPN.
   • OpenVPN: Connects with a secure and trusted open-source protocol that uses strong encryption.

Further recommendations

To learn more about Avast SecureLine VPN, refer to the following articles:

• Avast SecureLine VPN - Frequently Asked Questions
• Enabling auto-connect in Avast SecureLine VPN

Updated on: 02/06/2022