CCleaner Browser has built-in security and privacy features to help keep you safe online. Everything is managed from its Security & Privacy Center, which includes tools and features for managing your online privacy, identity, and personal data.
To access the Security & Privacy Center and configure CCleaner Browser, click the Security & Privacy Center icon at the top-right corner of the main app screen.
Refer to the sections below for information about all the tools included in the Security & Privacy Center.
Security Check
Security Check allows you to see the number of malicious downloads, phishing attempts, and malicious sites blocked since you started using CCleaner Browser. If any security issues are detected, it also provides recommended actions.
Browser Modes
- Regular: The standard mode, recommended for daily browsing of the web.
- Screen Sharing: Allows you to maintain your privacy when sharing your screen by hiding certain parts of your browser, such as bookmarks bar, search history, extensions, etc. For more information about Screen Sharing, refer to the following article: Using CCleaner Browser Screen Sharing Mode
- Private Mode: A privacy feature that prevents browsing history from being stored on your device and deletes any tracking cookies or web caches you acquire during your Private Mode browsing session. To open a webpage in Private Mode, click the Private Mode tile.
Privacy Guard
Privacy Guard prevents ads from loading on the webpages you visit and trackers from downloading tracking scripts onto your device, which improves the privacy and safety of your online activity. Every time you visit a website, Privacy Guard compares the script that the website runs against filter lists to determine what content the website can load or download.
To determine the strength of Privacy Guard, click the Privacy Guard icon to the right of the address bar, click Change settings, then select your preferred blocking option:
- Basic Blocking: Blocks all ads that violate the industry standards for user-friendly ads, such as pop-ups and auto-playing videos. As well as all known trackers that follow you while you are on the web.
- Balanced Blocking (recommended): Blocks all Basic Blocking ads and trackers in addition to social media ads, improving the speed of your browser and keeping your online identity safe while you are on the web.
- Strict Blocking: Blocks all known ads, push notifications, all known and unknown trackers, and prevents browser fingerprinting. We do not recommend this level of blocking, as it may cause websites not to load properly or even make certain websites completely inaccessible.
To turn off this feature, open the Security & Privacy Center and click the blue (ON) slider on the Privacy Guard tile so that it changes to gray (OFF).
Web Shield
Web Shield blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts while you browse the web. It also prevents you from downloading potentially malicious content from the web, which may try to infect your Windows device. Web Shield is enabled by default.
Note: This feature cannot detect and stop all possible malicious websites from being accessed; still, utilize proper vigilance and check if links make sense for the website they’re claiming to represent before clicking on them. For information on how to recognize phishing attempts, refer to the following webpage: Avast Blog > Plenty of Phishing.
If you would like to report a false positive, refer to the following article: Report False Positives.
To turn off this feature, go to the Security & Privacy Center and click the slider on the Web Shield tile so that it changes from blue (ON) to gray (OFF).
Password Managers
Password Manager in CCleaner Browser allows you to store your passwords securely in one location. A password manager securely stores your passwords in one location, while you only have to remember one master password. Click the blue text in the Password Managers tile, then use the drop-down menu to select which password manager you want to use.
Extension Guard
Extension Guard prevents untrusted extensions, also known as add-ons and plug-ins, from being installed in CCleaner Browser. This feature is enabled by default.
To disable Extension Guard, go to the Security & Privacy Center and click the slider on the Extension Guard tile so that it changes from blue (ON) to gray (OFF).
Privacy Cleaner
Privacy Cleaner allows you to clean your CCleaner Browser. It clears your browsing history, cached images, cookies, and more, protecting your privacy and freeing up space on your Windows device.
To use Privacy Cleaner, go to the Security & Privacy Center and click the Privacy Cleaner tile. Select the tab for Basic or Advanced. Optionally, select a Time range from the drop-down menu. Tick the box next to browsing data items to clear. Click Delete data.
Note: This action cannot be undone once you select it.
