Avast Premium Security and Avast Security for Mac - Getting Started

Open Avast Premium Security using one of the following methods:

• Click the Avast icon in the Apple menu bar and select Open Avast Premium Security.
• Click Go ▸ Applications in the Apple menu bar, then double-click the Avast Security icon.

When you open Avast Premium Security, the status message indicates if you need to take any action to protect your Mac.

When all available features are enabled, and the application and virus definitions are up-to-date, you see the status message This Mac is protected.

If you see the status This Mac is not fully protected, check the following:

• Ensure you have manually enabled Avast software extensions, DNS proxy configurations, and Full Disk Access. To do this, close and reopen Avast Premium Security, then follow the on-screen instructions in the Avast Premium Security setup wizard. For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:
  • Allowing all permissions for Avast Security on macOS
• Ensure the application and virus definitions are up-to-date. To do this, click Update now below the status message.

To run a comprehensive scan for threats in the most important directories on your Mac:

• Click Run smart scan on the main application screen, then move through each of the screens below:

1. Virus definitions: checks if your virus definitions are up-to-date and updates them if necessary. Follow the relevant step below according to the message you see:
   • Virus definitions are up-to-date: click Next to proceed to the next screen.
   • You seem to be offline: Avast Premium Security cannot update the virus definitions if you are not connected to the internet. Click Next to proceed with the Smart Scan. Avast Premium Security will update your virus definitions the next time you connect to the internet.
2. Viruses & malware: alerts you about malicious threats on your Mac. Follow the relevant step below according to the message you see:
   • No viruses or malware found: click Next to proceed to the next screen.
   • Unsecured threats found: click Resolve all to move the malicious files directly to Quarantine.
3. Advanced issues: presents any potential security issues relating to your premium application features (for example, if a feature is not correctly enabled). Follow the relevant step below according to the message you see:
   • No advanced issues found: click Next to proceed to the next screen.
   • Advanced issues found: click Resolve all to ensure that your premium features are enabled. Otherwise, click Skip for now to ignore the detected issues and proceed to the next screen.
4. Performance issues: suggests items that could be removed from your Mac to improve performance. Follow the relevant step below according to the message you see:
   • No performance issues found: click Next to proceed to the next screen.
   • Performance issues found: if you already have Avast Cleanup Premium installed on your Mac, or you would like to purchase this product, click Resolve all. Otherwise, click Skip for now to proceed to the next screen.
5. Click Done to return to the main application screen.

Several other scan types are also available, as well as the option to customize your scan settings. For more information about scanning your Mac, refer to the following article:

• Scanning your Mac with Avast Security

The following shields are available in Avast Premium Security:

• File Shield: scans applications, programs, and files saved on your Mac for malicious threats in real-time before allowing them to be opened, run, modified, or saved. If malware is detected, File Shield prevents the program or file from infecting your Mac.
• Web Shield: scans data that is transferred when you browse the internet in real-time. This prevents malware, such as malicious scripts, from being downloaded and run on your Mac.
• Email Shield: scans email attachments in real-time before allowing them to be opened, run, modified, or saved. If malware is detected, Email Shield prevents the program or file from infecting your Mac.
• Real Site: helps you avoid fake websites so you don't unknowingly give criminals your passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal data. This feature prevents criminals from hijacking your Domain Name System (DNS) settings by using Avast's own secured DNS servers to faithfully direct you to real websites.

These core shields are enabled by default when you install Avast Premium Security and allow all permissions. We strongly recommend keeping all shields enabled at all times to ensure maximum protection for your Mac.

To manage core shields:

1. Click the Core Shields tile on the main Avast Premium Security screen.
2. Verify the status of each core shield by checking the slider above the shield name:
   • A green (ON) slider indicates that the shield is enabled.
   • A red (OFF) slider indicates that the shield is disabled.
   To enable or disable a shield, click the relevant slider.
3. Enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK.

The slider changes to indicate that the shield is enabled or disabled according to your preferences.

For more information about customizing settings for core shields, refer to the following article:

• Setting exclusions for Avast Security Core Shields

Quarantine is a secure vault for detected threats. When an Avast Premium Security scan detects a potentially malicious file, it is moved automatically to Quarantine when you click Resolve on the scan results screen.

When a file is in Quarantine, the following options are available:

• Delete the file.
• Restore the file to its original location on your Mac.
• Send the file to Avast Threat Labs for analysis.

To manage files that are currently in Quarantine, click the Quarantine tile on the main application screen.

For more information about using Quarantine, refer to the following article:

• Using Quarantine in Avast Security

Wi-Fi Inspector scans for vulnerabilities when you connect to a Wi-Fi network by checking the status of your network, devices connected to the network, and router settings. If any vulnerabilities are detected, Wi-Fi Inspector displays information about the vulnerable device so that you can investigate the potential threat.

You can scan the network you are currently connected to by clicking the Wi-Fi Inspector tile on the main Avast Premium Security screen.

Additionally, Avast Premium Security allows you to keep a network monitored while you are connected to it:

1. Click Preferences (the gear icon) on the Wi-Fi Inspector screen.
2. If the slider next to your chosen network is red (OFF), click that slider so that it changes to green (ON).
3. Hover your cursor over the relevant panel, and click … More options (three dots) ▸ Monitor.

The status for the network changes to Monitored. Wi-Fi Inspector notifies you if any new vulnerabilities are detected on the monitored network.

Ransomware Shield secures your personal photos, documents, and files from ransomware attacks that can modify, delete, or encrypt your files. This feature is enabled by default and automatically secures your Pictures and Documents folders.

To specify additional folders you want to protect from untrusted applications:

1. Click the Ransomware Shield tile on the main Avast Premium Security screen.
2. Click Protect new folder.
3. Select the folder, then click Open.
4. Enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK.

The selected folder now appears on the list of protected folders.

To remove a folder from the protected folders list, tick the box next to the folder, then select Stop protecting.

To access settings in Avast Premium Security:

1. Click ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
2. Select a tab to manage the following settings:
   • General: adjust settings for application updates and opening preferences, notifications, and joining our beta program.
   • Subscription: view your subscription details.
   • Privacy: access the Avast privacy and product policies, and choose to opt-out of sharing threat data and app-usage data with us, or seeing offers for our other products.
   • Core Shields: adjust settings and add exceptions for File Shield, Web Shield, and Email Shield.
   • Scans: adjust settings and add exceptions for Smart Scan, Deep Scan, Targeted Scan, and USB / DVD Scan.
   • Wi-Fi Inspector: view details of previously scanned networks and change whether you are prompted to scan new networks.
   • Ransomware Shield: add apps to the allowed list and add file types to the protected files list.

For more information about managing settings for Core Shields and Scans, refer to the following articles:

• Setting exclusions for Avast Security Core Shields
• Scanning your Mac with Avast Security