Avast’s Web Guard—formerly called Web Shield—scans web activity and can block malicious URLs or content. In Windows Avast Antivirus, its HTTPS scanning feature is enabled by default, according to Avast. It inspects encrypted traffic locally for potential malware, with verified safe sites excluded. This can add protection, but it is not a guarantee that every threat will be caught.
What is Web Guard in Avast Antivirus?
Web Guard is Avast’s current name for the web-protection feature previously called Web Shield. Avast says it scans web activity and blocks malicious content or URLs. It is part of Avast Antivirus; Scam Guardian support materials also describe Web Guard’s URL-blocking role.
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The feature is intended to identify threats while you browse, including threats delivered over encrypted connections. Its presence does not make every website or download safe.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat is HTTPS scanning in Avast Antivirus?
HTTPS encrypts traffic between a browser and a website, but encryption alone does not establish that the content is harmless. Avast says Web Guard’s HTTPS scanning decrypts and checks encrypted HTTPS traffic locally for potential malware.
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Avast Support’s FAQ states: “All scanning occurs locally on your PC during the HTTPS connection.” Avast also says verified safe sites are excluded from scanning, primarily banking sites. These are Avast’s descriptions of how its feature operates, not independent security-test results.
Does Avast scan all HTTPS connections?
Avast says the feature scans HTTPS connections except verified safe sites. Its support documentation identifies banking sites as the primary type of verified safe-site exception. Therefore, enabled HTTPS scanning does not mean every connection is inspected.
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For Windows Avast Antivirus, including Free Antivirus and Premium Security, Avast says HTTPS scanning is enabled by default. The exact settings interface can change over time.
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How do I turn on or disable HTTPS scanning in Avast for Windows?
Avast’s Windows instructions, updated February 2, 2026, give this settings path:
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- Open Avast Antivirus and select ☰ Menu → Settings → Scam Guardian → Web Guard.
- Use the Enable HTTPS scanning toggle to turn HTTPS scanning on or off.
If the labels differ in your installation, consult Avast’s current Managing HTTPS scanning in Web Guard in Avast Antivirus instructions.
What changes when you disable it?
Disabling HTTPS scanning means Avast cannot inspect malware that is delivered through HTTPS while it is hidden by TLS/SSL encryption. Avast warns that this makes the computer more vulnerable. Treat switching it off as a temporary troubleshooting step rather than a routine way to improve performance.
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Can I exclude a website or file from Web Guard?
Avast documentation describes exclusions as a troubleshooting option for compatibility problems or false-positive detections. An exclusion also reduces scanning coverage for the item you exempt, so keep it narrow and limited to a source you trust. Use instructions for your specific Avast product rather than assuming the same controls exist on every platform.
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How Web Guard differs across Windows, Mac, and business products
| Product context | What the official documentation covers | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Avast Antivirus for Windows | Web Guard settings, including the HTTPS scanning toggle; Avast says HTTPS scanning is enabled by default. | Use the Windows consumer settings path above. |
| Avast Security and Avast Premium Security for Mac | Web Guard within Core Shields, secure-connection scanning, and URL exclusions. | Mac has its own interface and controls; do not follow Windows menu paths. |
| Avast Business | Managed controls for web and HTTPS scanning, script scanning, malicious-URL blocking, downloaded file types, threat actions, site blocking, and exclusions. | These are business policy controls and are not evidence that every control appears in consumer editions. |
Can broader scanning affect performance?
Avast Business documentation warns that scanning all downloaded files may considerably slow scanning and browsing. This caveat applies to the managed business setting described there; it should not be generalized to every consumer product or configuration. The available documentation does not establish a performance percentage or a universal speed impact for Windows consumer HTTPS scanning.
Quick Recap
Official Avast references
- Managing HTTPS scanning in Web Guard in Avast Antivirus (Windows consumer settings; updated February 2, 2026).
- HTTPS scanning in Web Guard – FAQs (HTTPS behavior and safe-site exceptions; updated June 24, 2025).
- Web Guard (Avast Business controls).
- Managing the Core Shields in Avast Security and Avast Premium Security for Mac.
- Scam Guardian Pro – FAQs.
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