Why is a next-gen antivirus blocking websites?
NordVPN’s next-gen antivirus is a comprehensive digital threat protection tool that scans for threats in real time and blocks access to dangerous websites before they can cause damage. A block can also trigger the “Your connection is not private” error in your browser, which appears when the page can’t establish a safe connection.
In most cases, when NordVPN’s next-gen antivirus blocks a page, it’s for your own safety. However, occasionally, it can generate a false positive and prevent you from accessing a safe website.
If you want to get past a next-gen antivirus block, you don’t need to turn off the feature. You have two options:
- Click the “Unblock” button, which appears when you try to access a blocked website.
- Open the NordVPN app and go to “Scam, phishing, and malware protection” (the shield icon) > “Protection activity”> “Malicious websites,” then click “Unblock entire website.”
How to avoid next-gen antivirus blocking websites
You can change next-gen antivirus settings through the NordVPN app. Doing so allows you to pick and choose which next-gen antivirus functionalities are active. Different users have different needs, so not everyone will want to keep the default settings.
If you’re not sure which configuration is right for you, have a look at the use cases below and see which is most relevant to your needs.
Priority: Privacy
If your main priority is to maintain privacy, rather than security, you can turn off “Malicious website blocker” while keeping “Tracker blocker,” “Ad blocker,” and “URL cleaner” on. You will be more at risk from websites that can infect your device with malware, but you will still be able to enjoy increased online privacy.
Privacy is a lot harder to maintain if your data isn’t secure, though. Protecting your online activity from corporations and data brokers is important, but it’s even more important to shield yourself from hackers and cybercriminals, who may use malware to spy on you.
Priority: Security
If your number one priority is security and you’re not concerned about corporations and data snoopers gathering your personal information, the main next-gen antivirus feature you want to have enabled is “Malicious website blocker.”
By keeping this setting on, you’re allowing NordVPN’s next-gen antivirus to block potentially risky, malicious websites. You may also wish to have “Ad blocker” on, since cybercriminals can use online ads as a system for malware delivery.
Priority: Ad-free browsing
If you’re only using a next-gen antivirus because you want to see fewer annoying ads and pop-ups, you should keep “Ad blocker” on while browsing the internet. Doing so will ensure a cleaner user interface on most websites and will have the added bonus of protecting you from malvertising (online ads created for scams and malware dissemination).
While online ads are annoying, having your device infected with malware is even worse, so we strongly recommend that you take advantage of other next-gen antivirus features, like “Malicious website blocker.”
Priority: A safer online experience
The best option for most users is to use all the next-gen antivirus features while online. Fully enabling a next-gen antivirus further enhances privacy and security and provides the best overall internet experience. You can limit the threat of malware, block irritating ads, and shield yourself from invasive trackers, all with the tap of a button.
False positives produced by the “Malicious website blocker” feature are very rare, but you can always disable this function in specific cases where you know for a fact that the website you’re trying to access is safe. You can even allowlist that URL, without switching the blocking feature off entirely.
NordVPN’s next-gen antivirus is a powerful tool that helps boost your security and gives you more privacy. Get it today and browse with extra protection.
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