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. Secure Browser is offered when you install the latest version of Avast Antivirus.

Install Avast Secure Browser

Avast Secure Browser is offered when you install Avast Antivirus. If you previously used Avast SafeZone browser, you may have received an automatic update to Avast Secure Browser. To download Secure Browser separately, click the button below:

Download Avast Secure Browser

Access Secure Browser 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. If you have Avast Passwords activated, you can select either Avast Passwords or the built-in Browser password manager. 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.

Secure Browser toolbar

You can quickly access Adblock and Video Downloader from the top-right corner of the Secure Browser toolbar. Enabled features are colored, while disabled features are gray.

• Adblock: blocks advertisements based on community monitored lists. Adblock is activated automatically when it blocks an ad from a webpage you visit. Access Adblock settings by right-clicking the Adblock icon in the top-right corner of Secure Browser, and selecting Options.
• Video Downloader: allows you to easily download video and audio content from your favorite sites. Video Downloader activates automatically when downloadable content is available on the open webpage. To start a download, click Video Downloader, then click Download next to the listed video or audio content.

Make Secure Browser your default browser

To set Secure Browser as your default browser:

1. Double-click the Avast Secure Browser icon on your desktop to open the program.
2. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner, and select Settings.
3. In the Default browser section, click Make default.

Secure Browser is now your default browser.

Change the search engine

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

1. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner, and select Settings.
2. In 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.

Add a new bookmark

1. Open Secure Browser and click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) icon in the top-right corner.
2. Hover the cursor over Bookmarks in the menu that appears, then select Bookmark this page....
3. You can rename the website in the Name textbox, then click the drop-down menu to select the Folder where the bookmark will be stored. Click Done to confirm.

Your website is now bookmarked. You can also bookmark your current webpage by clicking the star icon in the address bar.

Edit your bookmarks

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

Import bookmarks from another browser

1. Open 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 your previous browser, then click Open.

Manage Secure Browser settings

1. Double-click the Avast Secure Browser icon on your desktop to open the program.
2. Click the ⋮ Menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner, and select Settings.
3. Navigate settings by clicking ☰ Settings (three lines) in the top-left corner of the Settings screen, and selecting your preferred section.

You can also view advanced settings by clicking Advanced at the bottom of the Settings screen.