Getting Started
When you open AVG Antivirus, the status of your AVG protection appears. The status
The main screen also displays icons that indicate the status of protection components. The following protection components are available:
Basic Protection Computer : Resident Shield scans your PC for potential threats. Software Analyzer monitors programs installed on your PC for suspicious behavior that may indicate the presence of malicious code.Web and Email : Online Shield keeps you safe from threats while you browse the web. Email Protection ensures your emails are free from malicious content such as viruses.
Full Protection (available only in AVG Internet Security)Hacker Attacks : Firewall blocks network threats.Privacy : Sensitive Data Shield protects your sensitive documents against unauthorized access.Payments : Secure DNS helps you avoid fake websites.
General
How do I keep my PC secure?
By default, AVG Antivirus actively scans your PC for malware and other threats and automatically updates virus definitions.
If you have changed the default settings, ensure your PC is secure by keeping active protection components turned on, and the virus definitions and program up to date.
To check if all main components are turned on, go to
To manually update AVG, go to
Where can I specify what to do with detected threats?
After running a scan, you can access the
To specify the actions you want to apply to threats that are detected by
- Go to
Menu ▸Settings ▸Components , then clickCustomize next to the component which you want to adjust actions for. - Click the
Actions tab and specify details.
How do I activate AVG Internet Security?
After installing
- Double-click the AVG icon on your desktop to open AVG management console (formerly known as AVG Zen).
- Click
Connect in the top-right corner of the screen. - Click
Log in to an existing account , then type your email address and the password you created for your AVG MyAccount during the purchase. - Click
OK .
Your product is now activated. You can view and manage all of your AVG products in the AVG management console or in your AVG MyAccount.
Note: If you forget your password, go to AVG MyAccount, click
Can I use AVG Antivirus without AVG management console (formerly known as AVG Zen)?
Scanning
How do I scan my PC for potential threats?
To perform a comprehensive scan of your PC, click
If you suspect suspicious activity on your PC or network, apply a predefined scan. Click the gear icon next to
Computer Scan : performs a comprehensive scan to detect malware, poorly rated browser add-ons, and performance issues. This scan is the same as theScan Computer option on the main screen of AVG Antivirus.Deep Scan : performs an in-depth scan of your system that checks your storage drives and memory for malware.USB / DVD Scan : scans all removable media that is currently attached to the PC, such as USB flash drives and external hard drives.File or Folder Scan : asks you to select an individual file or folder for scanning.Performance Scan : scans your system for useless data and other issues which may affect the speed and security of your PC. If issues are detected, you are offered to install the AVG PC TuneUp application.Boot-Time Scan : performs a scan at bootup to detect and remove malware which is hard to reach after startup.
How do I create scan exclusions?
To exclude certain files or URLs from scanning, go to
How is Deep Virus Scan different from Full Computer Scan?
Where is the history of my scan results?
In the latest version of AVG Antivirus, the scan results history is not created by default. After running any scan, you can view the scan results. To generate a report of the scan, you need to configure the scan to do so before you run it. Follow these steps:
- Click the gear icon next to
Scan Computer . - Click the gear icon on any of the predefined scan tiles, or select
Schedule Scan . - Select the
Report file tab. - Tick
Generate report file and specify report details. Read more...
Report files are saved as .txt files in one of the following locations:
- Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista: C:\ProgramData\AVG\Antivirus\report
- Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVG\Antivirus\report
How can I pause a running scan?
In the latest version of AVG Antivirus, the option to pause a scan is not available. You can completely terminate a scan by clicking
Changes
What is Webcam Protection?
What is Ransomware Protection?
How can I install the AVG add-on for Microsoft Outlook?
The Microsoft Outlook add-on is not supported in the latest version of AVG Antivirus. However,
Where is the Anti-rootkit Scan?
The
Where is Firewall?
To manage
Firewall monitors all network traffic between your PC and the outside world to protect you from unauthorized communication and intrusions. Firewall is represented by the
Note: Firewall is available only in
Where is Software Analyzer?
To manage
Where is the update button?
Regular virus definitions and program updates allow AVG Antivirus to protect your PC from the latest malware and other threats. By default, AVG is configured to update the
If necessary, Virus definitions can be updated from the main screen of AVG Antivirus. Click the curved arrow icon next to
Note: You can also go to
Can I still use the Update from directory option?
The
What is the Payments icon?
The
Go to
Note: Secure DNS and Anti-Spam are available only in
Where is Virus Vault?
Features
What extra features are included in AVG Internet Security?
Ransomware Protection : protects your personal photos, documents, and files from being modified, deleted, or encrypted by ransomware attacks. Read more...Firewall : monitors all communication between your PC and outside networks and blocks unauthorized communication. Read more...Sensitive Data Shield : protects your personal sensitive documents against unauthorized access and malware. Read more...Secure DNS : protects against DNS (Domain Name System) hijacking to ensure you get to the actual website you want to visit. Read more...
What is Passive Mode?
Troubleshooting
How do I resolve a red protection status?
You can view the status of your AVG protection on the main screen of the AVG interface. The green status
AVG is out of date : your program version needs to be updated. ClickUpdate Now , then restart your PC. If the issue persists, check your internet connection.AVG is now in Passive Mode : AVG is not actively protecting you. ClickFix Now to turn off Passive Mode. Read more...Protection is disabled : one or more active protection components is turned off. ClickFix Now to enable components. Read more...You are not protected : all of the AVG protection components are turned off, or an issue is preventing AVG Antivirus services from running. ClickFix Now to enable all components.
If you cannot resolve the above issues by clicking
How do I turn components on or off in AVG Antivirus?
To manage AVG Antivirus components, such as Shields or Firewall, go to
To turn on a component, click the red (OFF) slider in the relevant row so that it changes to green (ON). To turn off a component, click the green (ON) slider in the relevant row and select a time duration, then click
Note: Some components are not installed by default. Click
How do I turn off Passive Mode?
To turn off
How do I reinstall AVG Antivirus?
To resolve certain issues with AVG Antivirus, you may need to uninstall and reinstall your product.
To uninstall AVG Antivirus:
- Go to https://www.avg.com/utilities and download and run the
AVG Remover setup file. - Select the AVG product you want to uninstall and click
Remove , then clickRestart to complete the uninstallation. - After your PC restarts, delete the AVG_Remover.
To reinstall AVG Antivirus:
- Select your preferred product to download the relevant installation file:
- Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your PC to complete the installation.
- Activate your AVG Antivirus product.
Why can't I save files when using my editing application?
The latest version of
If you receive a notification that you cannot save a file while using an editing application, ensure the application is not in your