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Antivirus Settings

Every antivirus software comes with its unique set of tools and security features for protecting the devices it is designed for. These settings can be modified as per the user’s requirement. To know more about the settings and tools featured by an antivirus software, read the following Antivirus Settings topics.

Windows 7 Defender Settings

  • On the desktop of your Windows 7 computer, click the Start icon and then select the Control Panel option.
  • In the Control Panel window, select the Large Icons option from the View By drop-down menu.
  • Click the Windows Defender link.
  • In the Windows Defender window, click the Tools icon.
  • Navigate to the Settings section and click the Options link.
  • The following options can be seen in the Windows Defender window:
    1. Automatic scanning
    2. Default actions
    3. Real-time protection
    4. Excluded files and folders
    5. Excluded file types
    6. Advanced
    7. Administrator
  • To enable the Windows Defender program on the Windows 7 computer, select the Administrator option on the left panel.
  • Select the checkmark next to the Use this program option on the main panel.
Windows 7 Antivirus Settings

Firewall and Antivirus Settings

  • Display the Control Panel window by selecting the Control Panel option from the Start menu.
  • Search for the Windows Firewall link and click it in the Control Panel window.
  • The options displayed in the Windows Firewall window are listed below.
  1. Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall
  2. Change notification settings
  3. Turn Windows Firewall on or off
  4. Restore defaults
  5. Advanced settings
  6. Troubleshoot my network
Antivirus Settings

Change Notification Settings

  • Click the Change Notification Settings link on the main panel.
  • In both the Home or work network location settings and Public network location settings sections, select the checkbox next to the Turn on Windows Firewall or Turn off Windows Firewall option as per your requirement.
How to Change notification settings

Restore Defaults

  • To restore the Windows Firewall settings to defaults, click the Restore defaults option in the Windows Firewall window.
  • When the Restore Default Settings window appears on the screen, click the Restore Defaults button.
  • Click the Yes button for confirmation in the Restore Defaults Confirmation window.
  1. Advanced settings
  2. The options displayed are listed here.
  3. Inbound Rules
  4. Outbound rules
  5. Connection security rules

Chrome Antivirus Settings

The antivirus program that has been installed on your computer might block Internet access to Google Chrome. Check if the Google Chrome application is added to the Allowed apps and features list. If not, you have to add the Google Chrome web browser to the Allowed Apps and Features list. Alternatively, disable the Windows Defender Firewall feature.

How to Allow Chrome to Access Firewall or Antivirus Settings?

When you see the Your Internet Access Is Blocked message on your Google Chrome web browser, proceed with the instructions provided here for allowing the Google Chrome web browser to access the network in your firewall or antivirus settings.

  • On your Windows computer, click the Control Panel option from the Start menu.
  • Select the System and Security option.
  • Navigate to the Windows Firewall option and then select the Allow a program through Windows Firewall button.
  • This will open the Allow programs to communicate through Windows Firewall window.
  • Click the Change Settings button.
  • In the Allowed Programs and Features section, search for the Google Chrome web browser.
  • Select the checkbox next to the Google Chrome option in the Name, Home/Work (Private), and public fields
  • Click the OK button for saving the Antivirus Settings that you have made now.

Settings for Antivirus on Mac


  • Configuring the firewall settings on your Mac computer helps to monitor the network traffic.
  • To check the firewall settings on a Mac computer, carry out the easy steps given here.
  • On your Mac computer, move the cursor to the Apple icon and then click it.
  • Select the System Preferences option from the Apple menu. In the Security & Privacy window, select the Security & Privacy option.
  • When you see the Security & Privacy window, click the Firewall tab.
  • Search for the lock icon that is located at the bottom-left corner of the screen and then click it.
  • When you see the prompt message, enter the correct administrator name and password in the appropriate fields.
  • Now, click the radio button next to the Firewall option to turn on the Firewall feature.
  • Click the Firewall Options button to open the advanced Firewall settings.
  • BLOCK ALL INCOMING CONNECTIONS - If you have selected this option, the firewall will avoid requests to share things.
  • AUTOMATICALLY ALLOW SIGNED SOFTWARE TO RECEIVE THE INCOMING CONNECTIONS - Select this option if you want to include applications to the Allowed Incoming Connections list.
  • Select the checkbox next to the ENABLE STEALTH MODE option to avoid probing requests.
  • Click the plus (add) icon to add any programs to the Firewall's Allow or Block list.
  • Click the OK button to exit the Firewall Options window.

Set Default Antivirus Windows 10

  • To set a third-party antivirus as the default antivirus program on your Windows 10 computer, turn off the Firewall features in the Windows Defender antivirus program.
  • Download and install the third-party antivirus program on the Windows 10 computer.
  • Now, the newly installed antivirus program will act as the default program.

Avg Antivirus Proxy Settings

  • Once you launch the AVG antivirus program on your computer, search for the Proxy Settings option and then select it to display the Proxy Settings window.
  • The Proxy Settings section will be useful for people who use a proxy server to establish an internet connection.
  • To modify the proxy settings, click the Specify Proxy Server option in the Proxy Settings window.
  • Now, fill the Type, Address, Port, and Authentication Type fields with valid information.
  • In the Type drop-down menu, click either the HTTP or SOCKS4 option.
  • Now, enter the address and port number of the proxy server in the Address and Port fields, respectively.

How to Access Antivirus Settings?

To know how to access settings of antivirus, refer to the simple instructions given below.Launch the dashboard of the antivirus program.Search for the Settings link and then select it to access the Settings window of the antivirus program.

How to change antivirus settings?

If you are using the Windows inbuilt antivirus, follow the instructions provided below to change the antivirus settings.

  • Select the Settings option from the Start menu and then click Update & SecurityWindows SecurityVirus & threat protection
  • Now, you will see the Virus & Threat Protection Settings window on the screen.
  • You can either turn on or off the Real-time Protection feature.
How to change antivirus settings

Settings to Allow VPN

If your antivirus program is blocking the VPN connection, you have to allow it by changing the firewall settings. To allow VPN connection in the AVNG Internet Security software, perform the quick step-by-step instructions given below.

  • On your Windows home screen, search for the AVG Internet Security software and click its icon to launch its main window.
  • In the main interface of the AVG Internet Security software, click the down arrow key that is located at the top-right corner of the screen.
  • Select Firewall Antivirus Settings from the displayed options.
  • Click the Expert Mode button at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  • Select the Advanced Settings option at the left panel of the screen.
  • On the main panel, select the checkbox next to the Allow any traffic to virtual private networks (VPN) option.
  • Click OK. If prompted, click the Yes button.
  • Close the AVG Internet Security software's main window.