Webcam protection. frequently asked Questions

What is Webcam Protection?

Function Webcam protection in Avast Premium Security (Formerly. Avast Premier) and Avast Omni prevents unauthorized applications and malware from accessing your computer’s webcam. If this feature is activated, untrusted apps will NOT be able to take photos or shoot videos and send them from PC, Exposing your privacy.

To determine which apps are trusted, Avast Reputation Services analyzes each app based on several factors, including installed user counts and certification information. In addition, you can customize the actions of the “Webcam Protection” function in relation to applications, set the preferred options on the settings screen of this function.

How to access the Webcam Protection feature?

Webcam Protection is included by default in Avast Premium Security (formerly Avast Premier) and Avast Omni. To access this component, open the Avast user interface and select privacy ▸ Webcam protection.

If you do not have Avast Premium Security or Avast Omni, see the related article below to install your chosen product.

Once the installation is complete, see the related article below to activate your paid subscription.

How to use the Webcam Protection feature?

• Open the Avast user interface and select privacy ▸ Webcam protection.
• Make sure the feature is enabled. If disabled, click on the red slider (OFF). It should change color to green (ON).
• You can customize the actions of the “Webcam Protection” function, clicked the gear icon in the upper right corner to access the screen Settings.

Learn more about using the Webcam Protection feature in the article below.

How to set up Webcam Protection?

To configure Webcam Protection for applications that request access to your PC’s webcam, follow the instructions below.

• Open the Avast user interface and select privacy ▸ Webcam protection.
• Click the gear icon in the upper right corner to open the screen Settings.
• Select an option from the dropdown list.
• Permission is required by untrusted apps (smart mode).: Automatically allow trusted applications to access the webcam. If an untrusted app tries to access your webcam, a notification will appear prompting you to allow or block that app. When you select one of THESE actions, the application will be displayed on the webcam protection setting screen. Here you can see its status and select additional actions.
• Permission is required for all applications (strict mode).: Notification and request for permission or blocking every time any application tries to access the webcam. Once an application is locked or allowed to access, it appears in the Webcam Protection settings screen. Here you can view its status and select additional actions.
• Access is automatically blocked for any application (no compromise mode).: Automatically block all applications trying to access the webcam.

How to manage blocked and allowed apps?

If you select Smart Mode or Strict Mode for Webcam Protection, you will receive notifications when applications request access to your PC’s webcam. When you choose an action block or permit in the notification dialog box, the application status will be displayed on the screenBlocked and Allowed Apps. To open the settings and manage blocked and allowed applications, follow the instructions below.

• Open the Avast user interface and select privacy ▸ Webcam protection.
• Click the gear icon in the upper right corner to open the screen Settings.
• Click on View approved and blocked apps.

Click the Block application or Allow application button to add the application to one of the lists. To remove an application from the list, select the mouse pointer on the corresponding term, click the item. (three dots) and select Delete.

For more information on the Blocked and Allowed Applications screen in Avast Antivirus, see the article below.

What to do if there are too many notifications from the Webcam Protection component?

If you receive a lot of notifications from Webcam Protection asking you to block or allow an application, make sure that Smart Mode is selected for Webcam Protection. If Strict mode is selected, Webcam Protection will display a notification every time an application tries to access your PC’s webcam.

What to do if your PC webcam stops working?

If your PC’s webcam does not work after installing Avast Premium Security or Avast Omni, make sure that the Webcam Protection feature is set to Smart or Strict. If No Compromise is selected, Webcam Protection prevents all applications from accessing your PC’s webcam.