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)

Webcam Shield - FAQs

What is Webcam Shield?

Webcam Shield, available in Avast Premium Security, prevents applications and malware from accessing your PC's webcam without your consent. With Webcam Shield enabled, untrusted applications cannot capture images or videos, or send these contents outside of your PC.

To determine which applications are trusted and untrusted, Avast Reputation Services analyze the application based on several factors, including how many users have the application installed and the application's certification information. You can also adjust how Webcam Shield handles applications by setting your preferred behavior on the Webcam Shield settings screen.

How do I get Webcam Shield?

Webcam Shield is included in Avast Premium Security. To access the feature, open Avast Premium Security and go to Privacy ▸ Webcam Shield.

How do I use Webcam Shield?

  1. Open Avast Premium Security and go to Privacy ▸ Webcam Shield.
  2. Ensure the feature is enabled. If the feature is disabled, click the red (OFF) slider so that it changes to green (ON).
  3. You can adjust Webcam Shield behavior by clicking Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.

To learn more about how to use Webcam Shield, refer to the following article:

  • Webcam Shield - Getting Started

How do I adjust Webcam Shield behavior?

To adjust how Webcam Shield handles applications that attempt to access your webcam:

  1. Open Avast Premium Security and go to Privacy ▸ Webcam Shield.
  2. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.
  3. Select one of the following modes to define Webcam Shield sensitivity:
    • Smart mode (selected by default): Automatically allows trusted applications to access your webcam. If an untrusted application attempts to access your webcam, a notification appears asking you to allow or block the application. After selecting an option, the application appears on the Blocked & Allowed apps list where you can view its status and select additional actions.
    • Strict mode: Notifies you every time any application attempts to access your webcam and allows you to decide if the application is blocked or allowed. After selecting an option, the application appears on the Blocked & Allowed apps list where you can view its status and select additional actions. You can disable the notifications by ticking Don't show Webcam Shield reminders.
    • No Mercy mode: Notifies you every time any application attempts to access your webcam, then automatically blocks it. You can disable the notifications by ticking Don't show Webcam Shield reminders.

How do I manage blocked and allowed applications?

When Webcam Shield is set to Smart Mode or Strict Mode, you receive notifications when applications attempt to access your PC's webcam. When you select an action (Block or Allow) in the notification dialog, the application's status appears on the Blocked & Allowed apps screen. To access Settings and manage blocked and allowed applications, follow these steps:

  1. Open Avast Premium Security and go to Privacy ▸ Webcam Shield.
  2. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.
  3. Click View allowed / blocked apps.

Click + Block app or + Allow app to add an application to either list. To remove an application from the list, hover your cursor over the relevant row, click … More options (three dots) and select Remove.

For more information about the Blocked & Allowed apps screen in Avast Antivirus, refer to the article below:

  • Using the Blocked & Allowed apps settings screen in Avast Antivirus

What can I do if Webcam Shield displays too many notifications?

If you receive too many notifications from Webcam Shield asking you to block or allow applications, ensure that Webcam Shield behavior is set to Smart Mode. If Webcam Shield is set to Strict, Avast notifies you every time any application attempts to access your PC's webcam.

What can I do if my PC's webcam has stopped working?

If your PC's webcam does not work after installing Avast Premium Security, ensure that the Webcam Shield behavior is set to Smart Mode or Strict Mode. If No Mercy Mode is selected, Webcam Shield prevents all applications from accessing your PC's webcam.

  • Avast Premium Security 22.x for Windows
  • 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


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