Avast Secure Browser - Getting Started

Avast Secure Browser is a web browser with built-in security and privacy features designed by Avast to keep you safe online. The newest version is equipped with the Security & Privacy Center, a collection of tools and features that enable you to manage your online privacy, identity, and personal data. Secure Browser is offered when you install Avast Antivirus, or as a separate browser.

Install Avast Secure Browser

Avast Secure Browser is designed to be your standalone web browser, which works alongside other Avast Antivirus products. To download the latest version of Avast Secure Browser, click the download button below:

Download Avast Secure Browser

Access Security & Privacy Center features

Avast Secure Browser includes a collection of tools and features that enable you to manage your online privacy and personal data. To access these features:

1. Double-click the Avast Secure Browser icon on your desktop to open the program.
2. Click the Avast icon in the top-right corner to open the Security & Privacy Center.
3. Click a tile to learn more about each of the following features, or manage the feature directly on the tile:
   • Avast Antivirus: click Scan My PC to open Avast Antivirus and access Smart Scan.
   • Bank Mode: click Open to start the Bank Mode virtual desktop, or click the tile to access Bank Mode's advanced settings.
   • Avast SecureLine VPN: to enable the VPN, click the slider so that it changes to green. Then, click the tile to manage your VPN location. SecureLine VPN connects automatically when Secure Browser is configured to Recommended Settings in the top-right corner of the Security & Privacy Center.
   • Anti-Fingerprinting: to enable the feature, click the slider so that it changes to green. Enable this setting when you want to disguise your unique browser fingerprint online.
   • Adblock (enabled by default): this feature stops advertisements from loading on the websites you visit, which improves the speed and safety of your browsing sessions. To access Adblock settings, right-click the Adblock icon in the top-right corner of Secure Browser, then click Options.
   • Anti-Phishing (enabled by default): blocks phishing and malware websites by checking URLs you visit against Avast's list of unsafe sites.
   • Anti-Tracking (enabled by default): stops websites from tracking your online activity, which helps ensure your personal privacy.
   • Stealth Mode: opens a private Secure Browser window, where your history, web cache, and cookies are not stored or collected. Anti-Tracking is also launched automatically when you click Launch Window.
   • HTTPS Encryption (enabled by default): hides all data sent to and from your browser on any given site to protect your sensitive data.
   • Password Managers (enabled by default): allows you to store your online passwords in one place, generate new passwords, and log in easily to different websites. You can select either the built-in Browser password manager, or Avast Passwords if it was previously enabled. Click the tile to select your preferred option from the drop-down menu.
   • Extension Guard (enabled by default): blocks untrusted extensions or add-ons from being installed on your web browser.
   • Privacy Cleaner: cleans browsing history, cached images, cookies, download history, and other junk from your web browser. Click Launch Cleaner to configure this feature and clean your browser junk.
   • Flash Blocker (enabled by default): stops Adobe flash-based content from running in your browser, unless you choose to allow it.
   • Webcam Guard: notifies you when a website you visit tries to access your webcam, asking you to Allow the website access, or Keep blocking the website.
   • Hack Check: allows you to check if your email address against Avast's internal database of stolen email addresses for possible leaks or data breaches. Click Open on the Hack Check tile to check if an email address has been compromised.

Setting configurations are saved under Custom Settings. To restore default settings, use the drop-down menu in the top-right corner of your browser window, and select Recommended Settings.

Use built-in features

You can quickly access Adblock, Video Downloader, and Hack Check directly from an open Avast Secure Browser window. Refer to the relevant section below to manage these features:

 

Adblock

When enabled, Adblock automatically blocks advertisements from loading and popping up on the open web page. Manage Adblock with the following options:

• To configure Adblock settings, right-click the Adblock icon in the top-right corner of Secure Browser, then select Options.
• To disable Adblock, open the Security & Privacy Center, and click the slider on the Adblock tile, so that it changes from green (Enabled) to gray (Disabled).

 

Video Downloader

Video Downloader allows you to easily download video and audio content from your favorite sites. The feature activates automatically when downloadable content is available on the open web page. Manage Video Downloader with the following options:

• To start a download, hover your cursor over the downloadable content, and click Download in the bar that appears.
• To define download type, hover your cursor over the downloadable content, click mp4, then select either 128k (Audio), or mp4 (Video; selected by default).
• To define Video Downloader visibility on a website, hover your cursor over the downloadable content, click Settings (the gear icon), and select a visibility option.

 

Hack Check

Hack Check allows you to check your email address against Avast's internal database of stolen email addresses for possible leaks or data breaches. Manage Hack Check with the following options:

• To ensure Hack Check is enabled and working, click the Hack Check icon in the top-right corner of your browser window.
• To use Hack Check, click Open on the Hack Check tile in the Security & Privacy Center, enter your email address, then click Check.
• To disable Hack Check, click Open on the Hack Check tile in the Security & Privacy Center, and click the slider, so that it changes from green (Enabled) to gray (Disabled).

Make Secure Browser your default browser

To set Secure Browser as your default browser:

1. Open Avast Secure Browser.
2. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner, and select Settings.
3. Scroll to the Default browser section, and click Make default.

Secure Browser is now your default browser.

Define your default search engine

To define which search engine is used in your address bar:

1. Open Avast Secure Browser.
2. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner, and select Settings.
3. Scroll to the Search engine section, click the drop-down menu, and select your preferred engine.

Your search engine is now defined.

Manage Secure Browser bookmarks

Secure Browser allows you to use bookmarks to save your frequently used or favorite websites for easy access.

Add a new bookmark

1. Open Avast Secure Browser and go the webpage you want to bookmark.
2. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select Bookmarks ▸ Bookmark this page....
4. Optionally, rename the website in the Name text box, and click the drop-down menu to select the Folder where the bookmark will be stored. Click Done to confirm.

The website is now bookmarked. You can also bookmark your current webpage by clicking the star icon in the address bar, then following step 3 above.

Edit your bookmarks

1. Open Avast Secure Browser.
2. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select Bookmarks ▸ Bookmark manager.
4. Click and drag your bookmarks to your preferred location in the left panel, or click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) on any bookmark panel to manage it individually.

Export bookmarks to another browser

1. Open Avast Secure Browser.
2. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select Bookmarks ▸ Bookmark manager.
4. In the top-right corner of the Bookmarks screen, click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots), and select Export bookmarks.
5. Select the location where your bookmarks export file will be saved, type your preferred file name next to File Name, then click Save.
6. Refer to your alternative browser's support documentation to import your exported Secure Browser bookmarks.

Your Avast Secure Browser bookmarks have been exported.

Import bookmarks from another browser

1. Open Avast Secure Browser and click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) icon in the top-right corner.
2. Select Bookmarks ▸ Bookmark manager.
3. In the top-right corner of the Bookmarks screen, click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots), and select Import bookmarks.
4. Locate the .html file containing the bookmarks from the other browser, then click Open.

Your bookmarks have been imported to Avast Secure Browser.

Manage Secure Browser settings

Avast Secure Browser settings can be customized according to your preferences. To manage these settings:

1. Open Avast Secure Browser.
2. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner, and select Settings. Avast Secure Browser settings are now open.
3. To view all Avast Secure Browser settings, Advanced in the left-side Settings menu.

All possible settings sections are now visible. Select a section to configure its individual settings.