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AVG AntiTrack - FAQs

General

What is AVG AntiTrack?

AVG AntiTrack is a privacy application designed to keep your identity safe from the latest online tracking techniques, and protect your system privacy.

AVG AntiTrack injects fake information into the data that makes up your digital fingerprint. This action changes what information trackers and third parties can see about you. AVG AntiTrack also clears tracking cookies and browser data from your web browsers.

How is AVG AntiTrack different from an antivirus or VPN product?

VPN products are designed to hide your location by encrypting your connection. However, when you use VPN alone, trackers can still identify you based on your device, browser, and online behavior. Antivirus products are designed to protect your device from security threats, such as viruses, trojans, and malware, but will not prevent online tracking. Unlike VPN and antivirus products, AVG AntiTrack is designed to prevent third parties and advertisers from tracking your online activity.

Does AVG AntiTrack block ads?

AVG AntiTrack is not an ad blocker and you will probably still see ads on some of your favorite websites after installing the application. However, AVG AntiTrack prevents trackers from gathering information about your online behavior and stops you from seeing targeted ads (for example, an ad for a product you recently viewed).

What is online tracking and how does it affect me?

Online tracking is the process of gathering information about you through sophisticated analytics embedded on websites. Information gained via online tracking is used to create your unique online profile (or digital fingerprint), which allows advertisers to identify you online. This can affect you in several ways:

  • Advertisers may use information about your online behavior to spam you with targeted advertising.
  • Certain websites may also show higher prices for products that you have been researching online, such as plane tickets.
  • Many of your favorite websites store huge amounts of information about you, which is vulnerable to data breaches. If this data is breached, third parties can access and use your personal data.

How am I leaving tracks online?

Many websites you visit download cookies to your browser or identify you by unique data on your device. This information is used to identify you when you return to the website or any other website participating in the same tracking system.

What is a digital fingerprint?

When you visit a website, you usually provide data related to your device configuration, browser, and online behavior. This is continuously stored and builds as you continue to interact with websites. Almost every website collects user data via the same types of advertising networks, which means that all your online activity is tracked and added to your own unique online profile. As you repeatedly visit your favorite websites, access your online accounts, shop online, and fill various forms, your online profile behaves like a 'digital fingerprint', which you leave everywhere you go on the web.

Your digital fingerprint is not connected to your actual identity, but it can be used to create an accurate profile of you as an individual. Online tracking techniques study your interests, age, religion, medical issues, income, expenses, shopping habits, and other highly personal information. While this helps sellers personalize their ads, it can also represent a violation of your privacy.

AVG AntiTrack continuously changes your digital fingerprint to protect your online identity. To view a log of changes to your digital fingerprint, click the Anti-tracking tile on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard, and click See full reports. The most recent fingerprint changes are shown under Fingerprint randomization.

AVG AntiTrack continuously changes your digital fingerprint to protect your online identity. To view a log of changes to your digital fingerprint, click Reports on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard, and click Fingerprint Changes. The most recent fingerprint changes are shown under Fingerprint randomization.

What are cookies?

Cookies are files that websites, trackers, and third parties leave on your web browser that allow them to view your online activity. Targeted ads, which are ads that appear to match your online activity, are a direct result of cookies on your web browser. Cookies may also cause websites to display higher prices for products that you have been researching online, including plane tickets. To prevent targeted ads and to protect your privacy online, it is important to clear your cookies regularly.

What is browser data?

Browser data is information that is often stored in your browser when you interact with websites. Browser data allows anybody else who uses your PC or Mac to view your search history, and see which websites you have visited. In addition, browser data allows websites to automatically fill forms and keep you signed in to your accounts after you close a browsing session. Although this can be convenient, it also puts your privacy at risk and may allow third parties to access your private data. AVG AntiTrack makes it easy to clear data. You are always prompted to select which types of data you would like to remove before clearing browser data.

Download and Installation

What are the system requirements for AVG AntiTrack?

  • Windows 11 except Mixed Reality and IoT Edition; Windows 10 except Mobile and IoT Edition (32 or 64-bit); Windows 8/8.1 except RT and Starter Edition (32 or 64-bit); Windows 7 SP1 or later, any Edition (32 or 64-bit)
  • Windows fully compatible PC with Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 64 processor or above (must support SSE3 instructions); ARM-based devices are not supported
  • 512 MB RAM or above
  • 300 MB free space on the hard disk
  • Internet connection to download, activate, and use the application
  • Optimal standard screen resolution no less than 1024 x 768 pixels is recommended
  • Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, or Opera browser
  • Apple macOS 13.x (Ventura), Apple macOS 12.x (Monterey), Apple macOS 11.x (Big Sur), Apple macOS 10.15.x (Catalina), Apple macOS 10.14.x (Mojave), Apple macOS 10.13.x (High Sierra), Apple macOS 10.12.x (Sierra), Apple Mac OS X 10.11.x (El Capitan)
  • Intel based Mac with 64-bit processor or Apple silicon chip (M1)
  • 500 MB free space on the hard disk
  • 2 GB RAM or above
  • Internet connection to download, activate, and use the application
  • Optimally standard screen resolution not less than 1024 x 768 pixels
  • Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera browser

How do I install AVG AntiTrack?

  1. Click the button below to download the AVG AntiTrack setup file, and save it to a familiar location on your PC (by default, all downloaded files are saved to your Downloads folder). Download AVG AntiTrack for Windows
  2. Right-click the downloaded setup file avg_antitrack_setup.exe and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install AVG AntiTrack on your PC.
  1. Click the button below to download the AVG AntiTrack setup file, and save it to a familiar location on your Mac (by default, downloaded files are saved to your Downloads folder). Download AVG AntiTrack for Mac
  2. Double-click the downloaded avg-antitrack.dmg setup file.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install AVG AntiTrack on your Mac.

After installation, you may need to activate the product using a valid activation code. For detailed instructions, refer to the following articles:

Can I use AVG AntiTrack without installing AVG AntiVirus?

Yes. AVG AntiTrack can be installed as a standalone application, without AVG AntiVirus FREE or AVG Internet Security installed.

Yes. AVG AntiTrack can be installed as a standalone application, without AVG AntiVirus or AVG Internet Security installed.

Is AVG AntiTrack included when I purchased AVG Internet Security?

No. AVG AntiTrack requires a separate subscription to use. You cannot use an AVG Internet Security subscription to activate AVG AntiTrack.

Subscription and Activation

How do I activate AVG AntiTrack?

If you purchased AVG AntiTrack via an AVG application on your PC or Mac, your subscription activates automatically on the device you used for purchase. If you purchased AVG AntiTrack using a different sales channel, or you want to start using your subscription on a new device, you need to activate your subscription using a valid activation code.

For detailed activation instructions, refer to the following article:

Where can I find a copy of my activation code?

After purchasing AVG AntiTrack, you receive a confirmation email from no.reply@avg.com that contains your activation code. You can also find your activation code in the AVG Account that contains your AVG AntiTrack subscription.

For more information about locating your activation code, refer to the following article:

Can I use AVG AntiTrack on multiple devices and platforms?

You can use AVG AntiTrack on the number of devices and platforms specified during purchase. The following subscription options are available:

  • AVG AntiTrack (Multi-Device): You can activate AVG AntiTrack on up to 10 devices simultaneously. Your subscription is valid on Windows and macOS.
  • AVG AntiTrack for Windows: You can activate AVG AntiTrack on 1 Windows PC. You cannot use your subscription on more than one device simultaneously, but you can transfer your subscription from one device to another.
  • AVG AntiTrack for Mac: You can activate AVG AntiTrack on 1 macOS device. You cannot use your subscription on more than one device simultaneously, but you can transfer your subscription from one device to another.

If you are unsure which subscription option you purchased, check your order confirmation email, or your AVG Account that is linked to the email address you used to purchase AVG AntiTrack.

How do I know when my current subscription period ends?

Open AVG AntiTrack and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings. The duration of your current subscription period is listed in the Your subscription status section next to Valid until.

Open AVG AntiTrack and go to Settings. The duration of your current subscription period is listed in the Activation Keys section under Valid until.

AVG products are sold as continuous subscriptions. This means that your subscription renews at the end of each subscription period unless you manually cancel it before the next billing date. For more information, refer to the following article:

How can I cancel my subscription?

For information about canceling an AVG subscription, refer to the following article:

How can I start using AVG AntiTrack on a new device?

To learn how to transfer your AVG AntiTrack subscription from one device to another, refer to the following article:

What should I do if activation doesn't work?

If activation is unsuccessful, refer to the following article for advice:

Settings and Usage

How do I get started using AVG AntiTrack?

To learn how to start using AVG AntiTrack, refer to the following article:

How can I discover which websites are attempting to track me?

Select the Anti-tracking tile on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard, and click See full reports. The following information is available:

  • Potential tracking attempts: Discover the time and date of recent tracking attempts, as well as the websites that attempted to track you.
  • Top tracking attempts: Check which websites have attempted to track you most frequently since you installed AVG AntiTrack.

The graphs at the top of the screen show fluctuations in blocked tracking attempts over the past 6 months and the past week. Hover your cursor over the red dot above a specific month or day to see the exact number of blocked tracking attempts.

On the AVG AntiTrack dashboard, you can view the most recent attempts to track you in the Latest Tracking Activity box. For each attempt, you can see the Tracking Source and the website that you were tracked from. For a more extensive view of your tracking history, select Reports in the left panel, then click the Tracking History tab.

What is My privacy score?

My privacy score is a numerical value that AVG AntiTrack assigns you based on the various settings you enable or disable in the application. The more privacy protection components you have enabled, the higher your score.

If your privacy score appears with a yellow or a red message, it means you have a medium or low Privacy score. To improve your score, review the five component tiles on the application dashboard. If a component can be adjusted to improve your privacy score, a yellow alert icon appears on the tile.

If you see an orange or a red number, it means you have a medium or low Privacy score. To improve your score, click Improve my privacy condition. Four component panels display your current settings that comprise your privacy score. Components in red indicate that you can adjust your settings to further protect your privacy.

How do I enable browser protection?

After you install AVG AntiTrack, browser protection is enabled automatically for the following browsers:

  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Internet Explorer
  • Opera

To manually enable or disable browser protection for an individual browser, click the Browser protection tile on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard.

Browser protection is only compatible with the browsers listed above.

We recommend allowing AVG AntiTrack to protect your privacy online by enabling browser protection on each browser that you use:

  1. Select Browsers in the left panel.
  2. Click the red (OFF) slider next to your chosen browser, so that it changes to green (ON).
  3. Browser protection is now enabled for your selected web browser. Repeat the steps above for each of your web browsers.
Browser protection in AVG AntiTrack is only compatible with the following browsers:
  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Safari
  • Opera

How can I clear cookies?

You can configure AVG AntiTrack to regularly clear cookies from your web browsers:

  1. Click the Browser cleanup tile on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard.
  2. Use the drop-down menu next to your chosen browser to specify how often cookies are automatically cleared.
To clear cookies from a selected browser, it is necessary for the browser to be closed. If the browser is open when cookies are scheduled to be cleared, you see a notification advising you to close the selected browser.

You can configure AVG AntiTrack to regularly clear cookies from your web browsers:

  1. Open AVG AntiTrack and select My Tracks in the left panel.
  2. Use the Scheduled cookie clearing menu next to your chosen browser to specify how often cookies are automatically cleared.
AVG AntiTrack needs Full Disk Access to remove cookies from Safari. If prompted, click Click here to allow full disk access and follow the on-screen instructions to enable Full Disk Access.

For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:

How can I remove browser data?

AVG AntiTrack allows you to remove browser data from your web browsers:

  1. For optimal results, ensure that each browser you want to clear data for is closed.
  2. Click the Browser cleanup tile on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard.
  3. Click See data next to your chosen browser. Alternatively, click Clear all browser data to clear data from all installed browsers.
  4. Tick the boxes next to types of data you want to remove.
  5. Click Clear selected.
  1. For optimal results, ensure that each browser you want to clear data for is closed.
  2. Open AVG AntiTrack and select My Tracks in the left panel.
  3. Click Choose data to clear next to your chosen browser.
  4. Tick the boxes next to types of data that you would like to remove, or tick Enable All to remove all types of browser data.
  5. Click Clear selected data.

The selected browser data is now cleared.

Can I prevent AVG AntiTrack from clearing cookies on certain websites?

Yes. If you want to stop AVG AntiTrack clearing cookies from certain websites, add these websites to your Allowed websites:

  1. Click the Allowed websites tile on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard.
  2. Add a website to your list of Allowed websites using either method below:
    • Select a website from the Choose from popular options drop-down menu.
    • Enter a website URL (for example www.example.com) into the left text box, then click Add.

To remove a website from your Allowed websites, click the trash icon in the relevant panel.

Yes. If you want to stop AVG AntiTrack clearing cookies from certain websites, add these websites to your Cookie Allow List:

  1. Open AVG AntiTrack and select My Tracks in the left panel.
  2. Click the Open allow list button.
  3. Add a website to your Cookie Allow List using either method below:
    • Select a website from the Choose from popular options drop-down menu, then click Add.
    • Enter a website URL (for example www.example.com) into the left text box, then click Add.

To remove a website from your Cookie Allow List, click the trash icon in the relevant panel.

What is System privacy?

Your Windows operating system has many privacy related settings that AVG AntiTrack can optimize and monitor for increased privacy. By enabling the recommended system privacy settings in AVG AntiTrack, you can:

  • Stop Windows from sending data samples to Microsoft that may contain personal information.
  • Stop Windows Task Scheduler (that runs silently in the background of your PC) from sending information to Microsoft about your system and its usage.
  • Prevent Windows from recognizing your handwriting patterns and sending handwriting data to Microsoft.
  • Prevent websites from being able to see your Windows Media Player. This prevents Windows Media Player from sharing your unique identifier with websites that use this information to gather statistics.
  • Prevent Microsoft and other third party applications from reading and collecting data about your online behavior.
  • Stop sharing with Microsoft the data of files you play using Windows Media Player.
  • Prevent third parties from remotely accessing your computer and viewing the index identity Microsoft has created on your behalf. The index identity can show third parties which files and applications you are using.
  • Stop LAN manager hashes being generated for stored user account passwords. LAN manager hashes are generated using a weak algorithm and are easily hackable. Instead, AVG AntiTrack generates password hashes using a strong algorithm, which makes your user account passwords harder for a hacker to crack using a brute force attack.

To enable your System privacy settings, click the System privacy tile on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard.

How often does AVG AntiTrack change my digital fingerprint?

AVG AntiTrack makes changes to your digital fingerprint on a randomized schedule. To see exactly when changes are made and how many changes are made each day:

  1. Select the Anti-tracking tile on the AVG AntiTrack dashboard, then click See full reports.
  2. Review recent fingerprint changes under Fingerprint randomization.
  1. Select Reports in the left panel.
  2. Click the Fingerprint Changes tab to review recent fingerprint changes.

To clear this history, click Clear fingerprint change history.

How do I manage AVG AntiTrack notifications?

  1. Open AVG AntiTrack and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Open AVG AntiTrack and select Settings in the left panel.
  3. Click the drop-down menu below Notify me of blocked tracking attempts to adjust the frequency.

How can I check if my AVG AntiTrack is up-to-date?

To ensure you have the latest version of AVG AntiTrack:

  1. Open AVG AntiTrack and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Open AVG AntiTrack and click Settings in the left panel.
  3. Click Check for updates.

If a new version of AVG AntiTrack is available, the application automatically starts updating.

Troubleshooting

How can I uninstall AVG AntiTrack?

For detailed uninstallation instructions, refer to the following article:

What should I do if AVG AntiTrack stops working?

If AVG AntiTrack does not block tracking attempts, refer to the following article for advice::

If the issue persists, contact AVG Support.

What should I do if AVG AntiTrack blocks or slows down webpages?

If AVG AntiTrack causes issues accessing certain webpages, refer to the following article for advice:

If the issue persists, contact AVG Support.

Why did I receive the error message 'There was an issue installing SQL Server Compact'?

This error message is caused by a corrupted or outdated Microsoft .NET Framework. You can solve this issue by reinstalling your Microsoft .NET framework. For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:

If the issue persists, contact AVG Support.

What should I do if AVG AntiTrack disappears from my PC after reboot?

This issue may occur if you run the AVG AntiTrack setup file from a user account without administrative privileges. To resolve this issue:

  1. Uninstall AVG AntiTrack from your PC.
  2. Install AVG AntiTrack using an account with administrative privileges. For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:
  3. Restart your PC.
  • AVG AntiTrack 3.x for Windows
  • AVG AntiTrack 1.x for Mac
  • Microsoft Windows 11 Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education
  • Microsoft Windows 10 Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education - 32 / 64-bit
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
  • Microsoft Windows 8 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
  • Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Enterprise / Ultimate - Service Pack 1, 32 / 64-bit

  • Apple macOS 13.x (Ventura)
  • Apple macOS 12.x (Monterey)
  • Apple macOS 11.x (Big Sur)
  • Apple macOS 10.15.x (Catalina)
  • Apple macOS 10.14.x (Mojave)
  • Apple macOS 10.13.x (High Sierra)
  • Apple macOS 10.12.x (Sierra)
  • Apple Mac OS X 10.11.x (El Capitan)
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