How to allow all protection permissions for AVG AntiVirus on Mac

After installing or upgrading AVG AntiVirus or AVG Internet Security on a Mac that is running macOS version 10.13 (High Sierra) or later, you need to allow all permissions so that your AVG product can fully protect your system. The AVG setup tutorial guides you through this process.

You need to allow permissions if you see any of the following messages in your AVG product:

This Mac is not fully protected
Allow us to fully protect your Mac
Missing kernel extensions
Missing system extensions
Allow Full Disk Access
Add AVG certificates to the Keychain

If any permission is needed, the AVG setup tutorial appears automatically after opening AVG AntiVirus or AVG Internet Security. To allow necessary permissions, follow the steps in the relevant section below:

Allow real-time protection
Add DNS proxy configurations
Allow Full Disk Access
Add AVG certificates
Allow Focus mode access

Allow real-time protection

Granting permission to enable real-time protection allows AVG AntiVirus to protect your Mac and detect malware in real time.

Open AVG AntiVirus and if you are running it for the first time, click Continue on the introduction screen.
Click Open system preferences.
Ensure Privacy & Security is selected, scroll to the Security section, then click Allow next to System software from application "AVG Security" was blocked from loading.
When prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
Click Continue in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.

The necessary real-time protection permission is granted. The AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial prompts you to add DNS proxy configurations.

Open AVG AntiVirus and if you are running it for the first time, click Continue on the introduction screen.
Click Open system preferences.
If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
Ensure the General tab is selected, then click Allow next to System software from application "AVG Security" was blocked from loading.
Click Continue in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.

The necessary real-time protection permission is granted. If you are using macOS 11.x (Big Sur) or macOS 12.x (Monterey), the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial prompts you to add DNS proxy configurations. If you are using macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or earlier, the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial prompts you to allow Full Disk Access.

Add DNS proxy configurations

Adding a DNS proxy to your Mac enables AVG AntiVirus to actively monitor websites for threats while you browse the internet.

Click Open confirmation dialog.
Click Allow.
Click Continue in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.

The necessary DNS proxy configurations are added. If prompted, continue with the steps below to allow Full Disk Access, otherwise, click Got it to close the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.

Allow Full Disk Access

Allowing Full Disk Access enables AVG AntiVirus to scan your entire Mac for hidden threats.

Click Open system preferences in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.
Select the AVG AntiVirus application using either option A or B below:
- Option A: Click the slider next to AVG AntiVirus, so that it changes from gray (OFF) to blue (ON).
- Option B: Click the + plus icon, then select AVG AntiVirus in the Applications folder, and click Open.
When prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
When prompted, we recommend to select Quit & Reopen. If you select Later, click Continue in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.

Click Open system preferences in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.
If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
Select the AVG AntiVirus application using either option A or B below:
- Option A: Tick the box next to AVG AntiVirus.
- Option B: Click the + plus icon, then select AVG AntiVirus in the Applications folder, and click Open.
When prompted, we recommend to select Quit & Reopen (or Quit Now on macOS 10.15.x (Catalina) and earlier). If you select Later, click Continue in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.

Full Disk Access is granted for AVG AntiVirus. If prompted, continue with the steps below to add AVG certificates, otherwise, click Got it to close the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.

If you are unable to allow Full Disk Access, we recommend restarting your Mac and trying to follow the steps above again.

Add AVG certificates

Adding AVG certificates allows AVG AntiVirus to stop browser threats. If you are prompted to add AVG certificates to the Keychain, follow the steps below:

Click Open confirmation dialog in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.
Enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click Update Settings.
Click Continue in the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial.
Click Got it.

AVG certificates are now added. If you are using macOS 12.x (Monterey) or later, continue with the steps below to allow Focus access.

Allow Focus mode access

Allowing access to Focus mode enables AVG AntiVirus to know when to silence notifications.

On the main AVG AntiVirus screen, go to ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
Select the Notifications tab, then tick the box next to Disable notifications when in Focus mode.
Follow the relevant steps below depending on your displayed screen:
- Confirmation dialog: If prompted by the confirmation dialog, click OK to immediately grant the Focus mode access for AVG AntiVirus.
- Setup tutorial: If prompted by the AVG AntiVirus setup tutorial, click Open system preferences and follow the steps below:
  1. Click the slider next to AVG AntiVirus, so that it changes from gray (OFF) to blue (ON).
  2. When prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
  3. When prompted, click Quit & Reopen.
  1. If your settings are locked, click the lock icon, then enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, and click Unlock.
  2. Tick the box next to AVG AntiVirus.
  3. When prompted, click Quit & Reopen.