Avira Secure Browser - FAQs

Avira Secure Browser is a web browser with built-in security and privacy features to keep you safe online. The distinctive Security & Privacy Center includes a collection of tools and features that allow you to manage your online privacy, identity, and personal data.

You can download Avira Secure Browser directly from the Avira website.

Avira Secure Browser comes packed with features and tools that are designed to maximize your online security, including Anti-Phishing, Anti-Tracking, and HTTPS Encryption. All built-in security and privacy features are available in the Security & Privacy Center.

Avira Secure Browser blocks ads, hides your digital identity, and speeds up websites.

To install Avira Secure Browser, your computer must meet the following minimum system requirements:

• Windows 10/11 (all versions)
• It does not work with Windows S

Mac

• Apple macOS 11.x (Big Sur) or later
• Intel-based Mac with 64-bit processor or ARM processor

You can download Avira Secure Browser directly from the Avira Secure Browser website. To download and install Avira Secure Browser, do the following:

To open Avira Secure Browser, do one of the following:

Windows: Double-click the Avira Secure Browser icon on your desktop.
Mac: Click the Avira Secure Browser icon in your Dock.
You may also launch Avira Secure Browser by clicking Go > Applications in your Apple menu bar, then double-click Avira Secure Browser.

Yes. Avira Secure Browser is designed to function alongside your other browsers. You can import bookmarks and data from Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari (Mac only).
For detailed instructions on importing bookmarks and data to Avira Secure Browser, read Import bookmarks to Avira Secure Browser.

The Security & Privacy Center is a console of tools and features that allow you to manage your online activity. Most features are enabled by default to offer our highest level of security and privacy. You can personalize Avira Secure Browser via the Security & Privacy Center by manually enabling or disabling certain features and access tools such as Private Mode and Privacy Cleaner.
To open the Security & Privacy Center, click the green Security & Privacy Center icon in the top-right corner of the Avira Secure Browser screen.

The following options are available in the Security and Privacy Center:

• Security Check: Allows you to see the number of malicious downloads, phishing attempts, and malicious sites blocked since you started using Avast Secure Browser. Click Review to check if there are any security issues that require your attention.
• Avira Security: Protects you in real-time against viruses, malware, and other threats. Click Download on the Avira Security tile to install it. Alternatively, if Avira Security is installed, click Open.
• Privacy Guard (enabled by default): Prevents ads from loading on the web pages you visit and trackers from downloading tracking scripts onto your device, improving the privacy and safety of your online activity. For detailed information, refer to the Privacy Guard section.
• Web Shield (enabled by default): Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts while you browse the web. It also prevents downloading potentially malicious content that could infect your PC.
• Private Mode: Prevents your browsing history from being stored and deletes any tracking cookies or web caches you acquire during your Private Mode browsing session. To open a web page in Private Mode, click Launch Window on the Private Mode tile.
• Password Managers (enabled by default): Allows you to select a password manager to use in Avast Secure Browser. A password manager securely stores your passwords in one location, while you only have to remember one master password. Click the Password Managers tile, then use the drop-down menu to select which password manager you want to use.
• Extension Guard (enabled by default): Prevents untrusted extensions (also known as add-ons and plug-ins) from being installed in your web browser.
• Privacy Cleaner: Clears your browsing history and other data stored in your browsers, such as cached images and cookies. For more information, refer to the Privacy Cleaner section.

Password Manager allows you to select a password manager to use in Avira Secure Browser. A password manager securely stores your passwords in one location, while you only have to remember one master password.
To select a password manager, go to Security & Privacy Center, click the Password Managers tile, then use the drop-down menu to select which password manager you want to use.

Web Shield blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts while you browse the web. It also prevents you from downloading potentially malicious content from the web, which may try to infect your PC. Web Shield is enabled by default.
To disable this feature, go to Security & Privacy Center and click the slider on the Web Shield tile so that it changes from green (ON) to gray (OFF).

Private Mode is a privacy feature that prevents your browsing history from being stored and deletes any tracking cookies or web caches you acquire during your Private Mode browsing session.
To open a web page in Private Mode, go to Security & Privacy Center and click Launch Window on the Private Mode tile.

HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) is a more secure version of the standard HTTP connection. HTTPS adds encryption that prevents others from eavesdropping and helps ensure that you are connected to the intended server. The HTTPS Encryption feature in Avira Secure Browser ensures that each website you visit uses an HTTPS connection where supported.

Privacy Cleaner clears your browsing history and other data stored in your browsers, such as cached images and cookies. This protects your privacy and clears disk space on your PC.
To use Privacy Cleaner to clear your history, go to the Security & Privacy Center and click Launch Cleaner on the Privacy Cleaner tile.

Extension Guard prevents untrusted extensions (also known as add-ons and plug-ins) from being installed in Avira Secure Browser. This feature is enabled by default.
To disable Extension Guard, go to the Security & Privacy Center and click the slider on the Extension Guard tile so that it changes from green (ON) to gray (OFF).

Flash-based content opens your PC to security vulnerabilities, takes up space on your PC, and can use a large percentage of your PC's battery life. The Flash Blocker feature blocks Flash-based content from running on your PC unless you allow it. This feature is enabled by default.
To disable Flash Blocker, go to the Security & Privacy Center and click the slider on the Flash Blocker tile so that it changes from green (ON) to gray (OFF).

Webcam Guard gives you more control over which websites can access your webcam. Whenever a website you visit tries to access your webcam, a notification asks you to Allow or Keep blocking the website. This feature is enabled by default.

The Video Downloader extension lets you easily download video and audio content from your favorite sites.
To install this extension, open the Avira Video Downloader extension page in your Avira Secure Browser and click Add Extension.
Once you install the extension in Avira Secure Browser, open the webpage with the video that you want to download. Hover your mouse cursor over it, and select Download.

Coupons is a free extension to your browser that finds you better deals when you shop online. It does the hard work for you, scanning store homepages, newsletters, and the web daily to find relevant and up-to-date coupon codes. In one click, Coupons can find, test, and apply the best codes without you having to leave the checkout page.

Coupons appear automatically at checkout at thousands of the most popular e-commerce stores. Click Apply all codes to get started. You can run the automatic application of coupons again at any time by clicking the Coupons icon in your browser toolbar and selecting Apply all codes again. icon in the top-right corner of Avira Secure Browser, then select Download next to the video you want to download.

The Performance Settings section in Avira Secure Browser allows you to boost the performance of your PC by suspending inactive tabs in Avira Secure Browser. To access this feature, open Avira Secure Browser, go to ⋮ Menu (three dots) ▸ Settings, then scroll to the Performance section. Configure the options below according to your needs:

• Memory Saver: It saves your computer's memory and boosts the performance of your PC by suspending inactive tabs.
  To enable, next to Memory Saver, click the gray (OFF) slider to change it to green (ON).
  If you want to exclude a website from being closed by Memory Saver, you can create an exception. Next to Always keep these sites active, click Add. Enter the website address (for example, google.com) and click Add.
• Energy Saver: It automatically reduces Avira Secure Browser's image capture rate and other background tasks when your device is unplugged or your battery is low. To enable, click the gray (OFF) slider so that it changes to green (ON), then choose when Energy Saver should automatically turn on.

1. Open Avira Secure Browser and navigate to a website.

2. Locate the icon that appears to the left of the web address:

• • Lock icon: Indicates that the site's connection is secure.
  • Information icon: Indicates that the site is not secure or more information is available.
  • Warning icon: Indicates that the site is not secure or dangerous.

3. Click the icon you see to view a summary of the website's connection.

Privacy Guard prevents ads from loading on the web pages you visit and trackers from downloading tracking scripts onto your device, improving your online activity's privacy and safety. Every time you visit a website, Privacy Guard compares the script that the website runs against filter lists to determine what content the website can load or download.
To disable this feature, go to the Security & Privacy Center and click the green (ON) slider on the Privacy Guard tile so that it changes to gray (OFF).

To determine the strength of Privacy Guard, click the Privacy Guard icon to the right of the address bar, then click the Settings icon.
The following blocking options are available:

• Basic Blocking: Blocks all ads that violate the industry standards for user-friendly ads, such as pop-ups and auto-playing videos. As well as all known trackers that follow you while surfing the web.
• Balanced Blocking (recommended): Blocks all Basic Blocking ads and trackers in addition to social media ads, improving the speed of your browser and keeping your online identity safe while you surf the web.
• Strict Blocking: Blocks all known ads, push notifications, all known and unknown trackers and prevents browser fingerprinting. We do not recommend this level of blocking, as it may cause websites not to load properly or even make certain websites completely inaccessible.

The filter lists that Privacy Guard uses differ according to your chosen blocking state. The table below shows which filter lists are used by each available state:

Yes. Privacy Guard allows you to set your own level of privacy according to your preferences while you surf the web.
To always allow ads on a particular website:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser and navigate to the website that you want Privacy Guard to ignore.

2. Click the Privacy Guard icon to the right of the address bar, and then click the slider next to Ads & trackers blocked to change it to gray (OFF).

Privacy Guard no longer blocks ads or trackers when visiting this site.

Alternatively, you can completely turn off Privacy Guard by following the steps below:

1. Click the Privacy Guard icon to the right of the address bar and then click the Settings icon to open the Privacy Guard Settings.

2. Under Privacy Guard, click the slider to change it to gray (OFF).

The browser fingerprint method (also known as device identification) collects specific data about your entire online activity, your browser type/version, operating system, add-ons, screen resolution, and various other active settings on your device. Browser fingerprints can be active even if cookies are off or tracking protection is enabled.

Additionally, browser fingerprinting can be used to fully or partially identify individual users for security reasons, such as accessing your online bank account. Most banks use browser fingerprinting to protect you from fraud or identity theft, therefore the remember my device option will not work if Privacy Guard is set to Strict Blocking.

When you set Privacy Guard to Strict Blocking, Browser fingerprinting blocking is enabled by default. To enable Strict Blocking, do the following:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser and navigate to the website for which you want to enable Browser fingerprinting.
2. Click the Privacy Guard icon to the right of the address bar and then click the settings icon.
3. In the Privacy Guard Settings window, select Strict Blocking.
4. Click Go to Strict to confirm.

To disable Browser fingerprinting blocking for a website, do the following:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser and navigate to the website for which you want to enable Browser fingerprinting.
2. Click the Privacy Guard icon to the right of the address bar, and then click the Browser fingerprinting blocked slider to change it to gray (OFF).

To change your default search provider, do the following:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser.

2. In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the Customize and control Avira Secure Browser icon and then click Settings.

3. Scroll to the Search engine section.

4. Next to Search engine used in the address bar, click the drop-down menu and select your preferred search engine.

To reset your Avira Secure Browser settings to default, do the following:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser.

2. In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the Customize and control Avira Secure Browser icon and then click Settings.

3. In the left menu, click Reset Settings.

4. Click Restore settings to their original defaults, then select Reset settings to confirm.

To change the language of Avira Secure Browser, do the following:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser.

2. In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the Customize and control Avira Secure Browser icon and then click Settings.

3. In the left menu, click Languages.

4. Click Add Languages.

5. From the list of languages, select your preferred language and click Add.

6. From the Advanced Settings screen, click the More actions icon next to the added language, and select Display Avira Secure Browser in this language.

7. Click Relaunch to start an Avira Secure Browser session in your preferred language.

To clear your Avira Secure Browser history, cookies, and cache, do the following:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser and go to the Security & Privacy Center.

2. Click Launch Cleaner on the Privacy Cleaner tile.

3. In the Privacy Cleaner window that appears, select your preferences.

4. Click Clear Data.

To make Avira Secure Browser your default browser, go to the Security & Privacy Center. If a banner appears at the top of the screen, click Make Default. Avira Secure Browser might already be your default browser if a banner does not appear.
To ensure Avira Secure Browser is your default browser:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser.

2. In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the Customize and control Avira Secure Browser icon and then click Settings.

3. Scroll to the Default browser section, where Avira Secure Browser is your default browser should be visible.

4. If Avira Secure Browser is not your default browser, click Make Default.

Avira Secure Browser allows you to import browsing history, bookmarks, saved passwords, cookies, and more from your other browsers. To learn more, read: Import bookmarks to Avira Secure Browser

Some websites cannot function or load correctly unless cookies are enabled. You can add individual websites to your list of websites that are always allowed to use cookies:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser.

2. In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the Customize and control Avira Secure Browser icon and then click Settings.

3. Go to Privacy and Security > Site settings.

4. Under Content, click Cookies and site data.

5. Click Add next to Sites that can always use cookies.

6. Type the web address for the website that you want to allow (for example, www.example.com).
If you type [*.] before the domain name, you add all web pages included in that domain.
For example, when you type [*.]avira.com, you add all web pages that are part of the Avira domain (such as https://www.avira.com/en/blog/security).

7. Click Add.
The website now appears on your list of Sites that can always use cookies.

Some websites and media cannot run unless JavaScript is enabled. You can add individual websites to your list of websites that are always allowed to use JavaScript:

1. Open Avira Secure Browser.

2. In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the Customize and control Avira Secure Browser icon and then click Settings.

3. Go to Privacy and Security > Site settings.

4. Under Content, click JavaScript.

5. Click Add next to Allowed to use Javascript.

6. Type the web address for the website that you want to allow (for example, www.example.com). If you type [*.] before the domain name, you add all web pages included in that domain. For example, when you type [*.]avira.com, you add all web pages that are part of the Avira domain (such as https://www.avira.com/en/blog/security).

7. Click Add.
The website now appears on your Allow list.

For detailed instructions to uninstall Avira Secure Browser, read Uninstall Avira Secure Browser.

For more help with Avira Secure Browse, visit Avira Support.

If Avira Secure Browser crashes or doesn't open, try the troubleshooting steps below:

1. Close Avira Secure Browser and reopen it.

2. If the issue persists, close Avira Secure Browser and restart your PC.

3. If Avira Secure Browser still doesn't open, try uninstalling and then reinstalling it.

When downloading a file from the internet, Avira Secure Browser may ask you for further verification or block the suspicious download completely. The download requires your attention if one of the following icons appears in the download bar at the bottom of the browser window:

• File not verified: This indicates Avira Secure Browser cannot verify the download and requires your verification. To verify the download and keep the file, select Keep. To remove the file, select Discard.
• File blocked: This indicates that Avira Secure Browser has detected a dangerous file and blocked the download. To avoid this error, ensure you only download files from a safe and legitimate online source.

Avira Secure Browser automatically blocks downloads that may cause problems on your computer or online accounts. When trying to download a file, you may see the message that the file can't be downloaded securely. The file download may be blocked for one of the following reasons:

• Malicious: A virus or malware.
• Unwanted: A deceptive file that may make unexpected changes to your computer.
• Uncommon: An unfamiliar file that is potentially dangerous.
• Insecure: A file that is not secure or the website it is downloaded from is unsafe.
• Built-in anti-phishing protection (Web Shield) is enabled.