Avast
Skip to main content
  • For home For home Products for PC and mobile phone protection
  • For business For business Protect your business with Avast
  • For partners For partners Partner with Avast and boost your business
  • About us About us Careers, investors, media, contact
  • Blogs Academy, Blog, Decoded, Forum
  • India (English)
For home
  • Security
    • Free Antivirus
      Basic protection for all your devices
      Free Antivirus
      Basic protection for all your devices
      Free Antivirus
      Basic protection for all your devices
      Free Antivirus
      Basic protection for all your devices
    • Premium Security
      Complete protection against all internet threats
    • Ultimate
      Our best security, privacy, and performance apps in one package

    Looking for a product for your device? Free Antivirus for PC, Free Security for Android, Free Security for Mac, Free Security for iPhone/iPad

    Looking for a product for your device? Free Antivirus for PC Free Security for Mac Free Security for Android Free Security for iPhone/iPad

  • Privacy
    • SecureLine VPN
      Encrypt your connection to stay safe on public networks
    • AntiTrack
      Disguise your digital fingerprint to avoid personalized ads
    • Secure Browser
      Secure, private, and easy to use web browser
    • Secure Browser PRO
      Unlock the full potential of Avast Secure Browser and fully encrypt your online activity
    • Online Security & Privacy
      Privacy and security browser extension from Avast
  • Performance
    • Cleanup Premium
      Boost your computer’s speed and performance
      Cleanup Premium
      Boost your computer’s speed and performance
      Cleanup Premium
      Boost your computer’s speed and performance
      Cleanup Premium
      Boost your computer’s speed and performance
    • Driver Updater
      Automatically update drivers with a single click
  • Store
  • Home
  • Support
  • Store
  • Account
For business
  • Products
    • Home office
      1-10 seats
      Protect up to 10 devices, including laptops, mobile, computers, and tablets with Small Office Protection.
    • Small Businesses
      11-100 seats
      Essential, Premium, or Ultimate Business Security managed from integrated, cloud-based Business Hub platform.
    • Speciality products
      • Patch Management
      • Cloud Backup
      • Premium Remote Control
      • Antivirus for Linux
      • CCleaner

    Not sure which solution is right for your business?

    Help me choose
  • Business partners
    • Partnership opportunities
      • MSPs
      • Resellers
      • Distributors
      • Affiliates
    • Solutions for MSPs
      • Business Hub Security Platform
      • Cloud Network Security
      Shop by vertical
      • Education
    Become a partner
    Partner locator
  • Resources
  • Trials
  • Store
  • Home
  • Contact sales
  • Support
  • Store
  • Account
    • Business Hub
    • CloudCare
    • Reseller portal
For partners
  • Smart Life
  • Mobile Security
  • VPN
  • Threat Intelligence
  • Knowledge Center
About us
  • About Avast
      • About Avast
      • Company FAQs
  • Careers
  • Privacy
      • Privacy
      • Expert guides
      • Privacy blogs
  • Digital trust
  • Press center
      • Press releases
      • Events
      • In the news
      • Media materials
      • PR contacts
  • Investors
    • Our story
      • At a glance
      • Strategy
      • Technology expertise
      • Leadership
      • History
    • Investors
      • Overview
      • Growth & competitive advantage
      • IPO information
      • Regulatory news
      • Share price & tools
      • Corporate governance
      • Investor contacts
      • Financial calendar
      • Results, reports & presentations
      • Analyst consensus
      • Shareholder information
      • Contact us
  • Awards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Accessibility
  • Contact us
  • Blogs
  • Avast Blog Read about recent news from the security world
  • Avast Academy Expert tips and guides about digital security and privacy
  • Avast Decoded In-depth technical articles regarding security threats
  • Avast Forum Discuss with the community
  • Avast Research Lab Explore more about AI in cybersecurity

List of available regions

Main regions
  • Worldwide (English)
  • Europe (English)
  • América Latina (español)
AMERICAS
  • Argentina
  • Brasil
  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (français)
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • EE.UU. (español)
  • México
  • USA (English)
  • América Latina (español)
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
  • België (Nederlands)
  • Belgique (français)
  • Česká republika
  • Danmark
  • Deutschland
  • España
  • France
  • Italia
  • Magyarország
  • Nederland
  • Norge
  • Polska
  • Portugal
  • Schweiz (Deutsch)
  • Slovensko (česky)
  • South Africa
  • Suisse (français)
  • Suomi
  • Sverige
  • Türkiye
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • Ελλάδα
  • ישראל
  • Казахстан
  • România
  • Россия
  • Україна (українська)
  • Украина (русский)
  • المملكة العربية السعودية
  • الدول العربية
  • Europe (English)
ASIA & PACIFIC
  • Australia
  • India
  • इंडिया (हिंदी)
  • Indonesia (English)
  • Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Malaysia (Bahasa Melayu)
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines (English)
  • Pilipinas (Filipino)
  • Singapore
  • Việt Nam
  • 日本語
  • 대한민국
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • ประเทศไทย
  • Worldwide (English)

Network Inspector - Getting Started

Network Inspector (previously Wi-Fi Inspector) scans your current network for vulnerabilities and security issues that may expose your sensitive private data, or leave the devices on your network vulnerable to attacks. In addition, Network Inspector shows which devices are currently connected to your home network, so you can see if anyone is using your network without your consent.

Each time you run a Network Inspector scan, you are prompted to select if the network you are currently connected to is Home or Public. Network Inspector scans for different issues and offers different solutions depending on the network type, so it is important to select the correct option:

  • Home: Scan a private network that you own (such as your home network).
  • Public: Scan a network that you do not own. This may be a public Wi-Fi network, or a work or school network that is managed by a separate network administrator.

Run a scan

To scan your home network for vulnerabilities:

  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to Protection ▸ Network Inspector.
  2. Click Scan network.
  3. Select Home.
  4. Wait while Network Inspector scans your network for vulnerabilities.
  5. Refer to the relevant information below according to the message you see on the results screen:
    • No vulnerabilities found: We have not identified any vulnerabilities or security issues on your current network. Click Done.
      If new device notifications are not yet enabled for this network, you can tick the box next to Enable notification of new devices on this network to ensure you are notified each time a new device joins the network.

      Refer to this article for more information about managing new device notifications.
    • Vulnerable device(s) found / Problems found: We have identified vulnerabilities or security issues on your network. For more information, refer to the Resolve an issue section of this article.

Resolve an issue

If Network Inspector detects issues on your network, you see the message Vulnerable device(s) found after running a Network Inspector scan.

To learn how to resolve each detected vulnerability:

  1. Click the panel for the unsecured device or network.
  2. Click See how to fix.
  3. Find instructions for how to resolve the issue in the relevant location below:
    • For all vulnerabilities, you can find suggestions for how to resolve the vulnerability in the Tips section. For example, we may recommend that you enable Real Site, or click Go to your router settings and sign in to your router's admin interface to update the relevant settings.
    • For the most common vulnerabilities, you can click the link next to Vulnerability ID to open a dedicated article that contains more information about the vulnerability, as well as detailed step-by-step instructions to resolve it.
  4. After following the instructions to resolve the vulnerability, click Rescan network on the main Network Inspector screen to run another scan and ensure that your network is now secure.

Manage new device notifications

You can configure Network Inspector to send you a notification each time a new device connects to your home network, which ensures that you are always aware about any potential intruders who may be misusing your network.

The following options are available:

  • Enable notifications about new devices
  • Check if notifications about new devices are enabled

Enable notifications about new devices

To enable notifications about new devices connecting to your home network:

  1. Run a Network Inspector scan while you are connected to your home network.
  2. If no issues are detected, click Done from the results screen. If Network Inspector detects issues, you need to manage these issues before proceeding.
  3. Tick the box next to Enable notification of new devices on this network, then click Done.

    If this option does not appear, Network Inspector notifications about new devices might already be enabled for this network. You can check if notifications are enabled.

Network Inspector now notifies you as soon as a new device joins your network.

To prevent large numbers of unhelpful notifications, it is not possible to enable notifications about new devices for public networks.

Check if notifications about new devices are enabled

To check that Network Inspector is configured to notify you when a new device connects to your network:

  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to Protection ▸ Network Inspector.
  2. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.

If notifications for new devices are currently enabled, you see a green (ON) slider under New device notification. To disable this option, click the green (ON) slider so that it changes to red (OFF).

Run a scan

To scan a public Wi-Fi network for vulnerabilities:

  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to Protection ▸ Network Inspector.
  2. Click Scan network.
  3. Select Public.
  4. Wait while Network Inspector scans your network for vulnerabilities.
  5. Refer to the relevant information below according to the message you see on the results screen:
    • Network looks safe: We have not identified any vulnerabilities or security issues on the current network. Click Done to return to the main Network Inspector screen.
      Even if Network Inspector does not detect issues on the network, we always recommend using a VPN when you connect to public Wi-Fi. For more information, refer to the following article:
      • Network Inspector - Frequently Asked Questions
    • We've found issues: We have identified vulnerabilities or security issues on the current network. For more information, refer to the Resolve an issue section of this article.

Resolve an issue

If Network Inspector detects issues on the current network, you see the message Issues found after running a Network Inspector scan.

To learn how to resolve each detected vulnerability:

  1. Click the panel for a detected vulnerability.
  2. Review the list of possible solutions in the Tips section.

    Follow the instructions provided to resolve the vulnerability. For example, we may recommend that you enable Real Site, or turn on a VPN. If you don't already have a VPN, you see an offer to purchase a subscription for Avast SecureLine VPN.

The possible solutions provided for Public networks protect your device only. If possible, we recommend alerting the network administrator about the detected vulnerability to safeguard other devices that are connected to the network.

For more information about why we recommend using a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks, refer to the following article:
  • Network Inspector - Frequently Asked Questions

Manage automatic scans

To customize when Network Inspector automatically runs a scan:

  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to Protection ▸ Network Inspector.
  2. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.
  3. Tick or untick the following options according to your preferences:
    • Scan new networks automatically
    • Rescan home networks automatically

Network Inspector now runs automatic scans according to your preferences.

Network Inspector (previously Wi-Fi Inspector) scans your current network for vulnerabilities and security issues that may expose your sensitive private data, or leave the devices on your network vulnerable to attacks. In addition, Network Inspector shows which devices are currently connected to your home network, so you can see if anyone is using your network without your consent.

The first time you scan a network using Network Inspector, you are prompted to select if the network is Home or Public. Network Inspector scans for different issues and offers different solutions depending on the network type, so it is important to select the correct option:

  • Home: Scan a private network that you own (such as your home network).
  • Public: Scan a network that you do not own. This may be a public Wi-Fi network, or a work or school network that is managed by a separate network administrator.

Run a scan

To scan your home network for vulnerabilities:

  1. Open Avast Security and click the Network Inspector tile on the main application screen.
  2. Click Scan network.
  3. If you are scanning this network for the first time, select Home. If you have scanned this network before, Network Inspector remembers whether you previously selected Home or Public.
    If necessary, you can change whether a network is set to Home or Public later via the application preferences.
  4. Wait while Network Inspector scans your network for vulnerabilities.
  5. Refer to the relevant information below according to the message you see on the results screen:
    • No vulnerabilities found: We have not identified any vulnerabilities or security issues on your current network. Click Done to return to the main Network Inspector screen.
      With a paid Avast Premium Security subscription, you can tick the box next to Monitor my network in real-time to ensure you are notified each time a new device joins the network.

      Refer to this article for more information about managing monitored networks.
    • Vulnerable device(s) found: We have identified vulnerabilities or security issues on your network. For more information, refer to the Resolve an issue section of this article.

Resolve an issue

If Network Inspector detects issues on your network, you see the message Vulnerable device(s) found after running a Network Inspector scan.

To learn how to resolve each detected vulnerability:

  1. Click the panel for the unsecured device.
  2. Click See how to fix.
  3. Find instructions for how to resolve the issue in the relevant location below:
    • For all vulnerabilities, you can find suggestions for how to resolve the vulnerability in the Tips section. For example, we may recommend that you enable Real Site, or click Open device settings and sign in to your router's admin interface to update the relevant settings.
    • For the most common vulnerabilities, click Show more info to open a dedicated article that contains more information about the vulnerability, as well as detailed step-by-step instructions to resolve it.
  4. After following the instructions to resolve the vulnerability, click … More options (three dots) ▸ Rescan network to run another Network Inspector scan and ensure that your network is now secure.

Manage monitored networks

If you have a paid Avast Premium Security subscription, you can configure Network Inspector to monitor your home network. This means you are notified each time a new device connects to your network, which ensures that you are always aware about any potential intruders.

The following options are available for managing a monitored network:

  • Start monitoring your network
  • Check if your network is monitored
  • Check which devices are currently connected to your network
  • Stop monitoring your network

Start monitoring your network

To enable notifications about new devices connecting to your home network:

  1. Run a Network Inspector scan while you are connected to your home network.
  2. If no issues are detected, click Done from the results screen. If Network Inspector detects issues, you need to manage these issues before proceeding.
  3. Tick the box next to Monitor my network in real-time, then click Done.

    If this option does not appear, Network Inspector may already be monitoring your network. You can check if your network is monitored.

Network Inspector now notifies you as soon as a new device joins your network.

To prevent large numbers of unhelpful notifications, it is not possible for Network Inspector to monitor public networks.

Check if your network is monitored

To check that your home network is currently monitored:

  1. Open Avast Security and click the Network Inspector tile on the main application screen.
  2. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.

If Network Inspector is currently monitoring a network, Monitored appears in the Status column.

Check which devices are currently connected to your network

When you are connected to a monitored network, you can view a list of all the devices that are connected to the network at any time:

  1. Open Avast Security and click the Network Inspector tile on the main application screen.
  2. Click Show devices.

Network Inspector shows a list of all the devices that are currently connected to your network.

Stop monitoring your network

To stop monitoring your home network:

  1. Ensure you are connected to your home network.
  2. Open Avast Security and click the Network Inspector tile on the main application screen.
  3. Click Show devices.
  4. Click Stop monitoring at the top of the screen.

Network Inspector no longer notifies you when a new device joins your home network.

Run a scan

To scan a public Wi-Fi network for vulnerabilities:

  1. Open Avast Security and click the Network Inspector tile on the main application screen.
  2. Click Scan network.
  3. If you are scanning this network for the first time, select Public. If you have scanned this network before, Network Inspector remembers whether you previously selected Public or Home.
    If necessary, you can change whether a network is set to Public or Home later via the application preferences.
  4. Wait while Network Inspector scans your network for vulnerabilities.
  5. Refer to the relevant information below according to the message you see on the results screen:
    • Network looks safe: We have not identified any vulnerabilities or security issues on the current network. Click Done to return to the main Network Inspector screen.
      Even if Network Inspector does not detect issues on the network, we always recommend using a VPN when you connect to public Wi-Fi. For more information, refer to the following article:
      • Network Inspector - Frequently Asked Questions
    • Problems found: We have identified vulnerabilities or security issues on the current network. For more information, refer to the Resolve an issue section of this article.

Resolve an issue

If Network Inspector detects issues on the current network, you see the message Problems found after running a Network Inspector scan.

To learn how to resolve each detected vulnerability:

  1. Click the panel for a detected vulnerability.
  2. Review the list of possible solutions in the Tips section.

    Follow the instructions provided to resolve the vulnerability. For example, we may recommend that you enable Real Site, or turn on a VPN. If you don't already have a VPN, you see an offer to purchase a subscription for Avast SecureLine VPN

The possible solutions provided for Public networks protect your device only. If possible, we recommend alerting the network administrator about the detected vulnerability to safeguard other devices that are connected to the network.

For more information about why we recommend using a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks, refer to the following article:
  • Network Inspector - Frequently Asked Questions

Change a network status

The first time you scan a network, Network Inspector prompts you to select Home or Public. You can check or change the status of a network by following the steps below:

  1. Open Avast Security and click the Network Inspector tile on the main application screen.
  2. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner. You see a list of all the networks you have previously scanned.
  3. For the relevant network, check the slider that appears under Home network:
    • If the slider is green (ON), the network is set to Home. To set the network to Public, click the slider so that it changes to red (OFF).
    • If the slider is red (OFF), the network is set to Public. To set the network to Home, click the slider so that it changes to green (ON).

The status of the network is now updated.

Disable Network Inspector notifications

By default, Network Inspector notifies you each time you connect to a new network and prompts you to scan the network. To disable these notifications:

  1. Open Avast Security and click the Network Inspector tile on the main application screen.
  2. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.
  3. Click the green (ON) slider next to Ask to scan any new network I join so that it changes to red (OFF).

Network Inspector no longer notifies you each time you connect to a new network.

Further recommendations

For more information about Network Inspector, refer to the following article:

  • Network Inspector - Frequently Asked Questions
  • Network Inspector - Frequently Asked Questions
  • Avast Premium Security 22.x for Windows
  • Avast Free Antivirus 22.x for Windows

  • Avast Premium Security 15.x for Mac
  • Avast Security 15.x for Mac
  • Microsoft Windows 11 Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education
  • 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 with Convenient Rollup Update, 32 / 64-bit

  • 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)
  • Apple macOS 10.12.x (Sierra)
  • Apple Mac OS X 10.11.x (El Capitan)


Updated on: 02/06/2022

Was this article helpful?

Need additional help?

Contact us
Avast logo
India (English)
For home
  • Support
  • Security
  • Privacy
  • Performance
  • Blog
  • Forum
For business
  • Business support
  • Business products
  • Business partners
  • Business blog
  • Affiliates
For partners
  • Mobile Carriers
Company
  • Contact Us
  • Investors
  • Careers
  • Press Center
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Digital trust
  • Technology
  • Research Participation
1988-2023 Copyright Avast Software s.r.o.
Privacy policy Products policy Legal Report vulnerability Contact security Modern Slavery Statement Do not sell my info Subscription details