Webcam Protection - FAQs

What is Webcam Protection?

Webcam Protection, available in AVG Internet Security, prevents applications and malware from accessing your PC's webcam and microphone without your consent. With Webcam Protection enabled, untrusted applications cannot capture images, videos or audio, nor send these contents outside of your PC.

To determine which applications are trusted and untrusted, AVG File Reputation Services analyze the application based on several factors, including how many users have the application installed and the application's certification information. You can also adjust how Webcam Protection handles applications by setting your preferred behavior on the Webcam Protection settings screen.

How do I get Webcam Protection?

Webcam Protection is included in AVG Internet Security. To access the feature, open AVG Internet Security and click the Personal Data tile on the main screen.

How do I use Webcam Protection?

1. Open AVG Internet Security and select the Personal Data tile.
2. Ensure the feature is enabled. If the feature is disabled, click the red (OFF) slider so that it changes to green (ON).
3. You can adjust Webcam Protection behavior by clicking Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.

To learn more about how to use Webcam Protection, refer to the following article:

• Webcam Protection - Getting Started

How do I adjust Webcam Protection behavior?

To adjust how Webcam Protection handles applications that attempt to access your webcam or microphone:

1. Open AVG Internet Security and select the Personal Data tile.
2. Click Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner.
3. Tick the box beside Shield my microphone to enable microphone protection.
   Microphone protection is only available on Windows 10 or later.
4. Select one of the following modes to define Webcam Protection sensitivity:
   • Smart Mode (selected by default): Automatically allows trusted applications to access your webcam and microphone. If an untrusted application attempts to access your webcam or microphone, a notification appears asking you to allow or block the application. After selecting an option, the application appears on the Blocked & Allowed apps list where you can view its status and select additional actions.
   • Strict Mode: Notifies you every time any application attempts to access your webcam or microphone and allows you to decide if the application is blocked or allowed. After selecting an option, the application appears on the Blocked & Allowed apps list where you can view its status and select additional actions. You can disable the notifications by ticking Don't show Webcam Protection reminders.
   • Block access to webcam and microphone: Notifies you every time any application attempts to access your webcam or microphone and automatically blocks it. You can disable the notifications by ticking Don't show Webcam Protection reminders.

How do I manage blocked and allowed applications?

When Webcam Protection is set to Smart mode or Strict mode, you receive notifications when applications attempt to access your PC's webcam or microphone. When you select an action (Block or Allow) in the notification dialog, the application's status appears on the Blocked & Allowed apps screen. To access Settings and manage blocked and allowed applications:

• Open AVG Internet Security and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
• Click General ▸ Blocked & Allowed apps.

Click + Block app or + Allow app to add an application to either list. To remove an application from the list, click … More options (three dots) in the relevant row and select Remove.

For more information about the Blocked & Allowed apps screen, refer to the following article:

• Using the Blocked & Allowed apps settings screen in AVG Internet Security

What can I do if Webcam Protection displays too many notifications?

If you receive too many notifications from Webcam Protection asking you to block or allow applications, ensure that Webcam Protection behavior is set to Smart Mode. If Webcam Protection is set to Strict Mode, AVG notifies you every time any application attempts to access your PC's webcam or microphone.

What can I do if my PC's webcam stops working?

If your PC's webcam does not work after installing AVG Internet Security, ensure Webcam Protection behavior is set to Smart mode or Strict mode. If Block access to webcam and microphone is selected, Webcam Protection prevents all applications from accessing your PC's webcam and microphone.