This article explains how AdBlock360 works alongside antivirus and firewall software, which conflicts can occur, and how to resolve them.
The Short Version
AdBlock360 is not a replacement for antivirus software — it complements it. AdBlock360 filters ads and trackers on the network level; an antivirus protects against malware. The two normally run side by side without issues.
In rare cases, conflicts can still occur — typically around HTTPS filtering or network drivers.
Does AdBlock360 Work with Windows Defender?
Yes. AdBlock360 is compatible with Microsoft Defender Antivirus and the Windows Firewall and usually needs no special configuration.
Conflicts with Antivirus Software
Some security suites (especially those with a built-in "web protection" or "HTTPS scan" feature) inspect encrypted traffic in a similar way to AdBlock360. If both try to inspect the same traffic at once, you may see:
- Web pages load slowly or partially.
- Browsers report certificate errors.
- Certain apps lose their internet connection.
Fix: Disable the HTTPS inspection feature of your security software (often called "SSL scan", "HTTPS protection", "scan encrypted connections"). AdBlock360 handles this for ad- and tracking-related traffic.
Known examples of such features: ESET "SSL/TLS protocol filtering", Kaspersky "Encrypted connections scan", Bitdefender "Encrypted web scan". Exact wording varies by version.
False Positives in Antivirus Scans
Because AdBlock360 hooks into the network stack, antivirus software may sometimes flag the installer or individual components as suspicious. AdBlock360 contains no malware.
If your antivirus quarantines AdBlock360:
- Confirm you downloaded the app from the official site adblock360.com (third-party downloads can be tampered with).
- Restore the quarantined file.
- Add an exception for the AdBlock360 installation folder in your antivirus (typically
C:\Program Files\AdBlock360\).
Why Our Installer Is Safe
AdBlock360 needs administrator rights and a local network filter (WFP) driver to block ads system-wide — the same capabilities that occasionally trigger antivirus false positives. Our app has been independently verified by third parties: it's certified by AppEsteem, and our installer has been analyzed on VirusTotal, ANY.RUN, and Joe Sandbox. For the full breakdown, including links to these reports, see adblock360.com/is-adblock360-malware.
Conflicts with Firewall Software
Third-party firewalls can block AdBlock360's network driver — symptom: the app shows "disconnected" or visibly filters no traffic.
Fix: Allow the AdBlock360 services outbound connections in your firewall, or add an application exception for AdBlock360.exe.
VPN Compatibility
AdBlock360 works with most VPN services without issues, because blocking happens at the device level — before your traffic reaches the VPN. With some VPNs that enforce a specific network mode (e.g. kernel-mode tunneling), conflicts can occur. If AdBlock360 doesn't filter while your VPN is connected, try:
- Switching the VPN protocol (e.g. from WireGuard to OpenVPN or vice versa).
- Restarting AdBlock360 after the VPN connects.
Nothing Works?
If AdBlock360 still doesn't cooperate with your security software after these steps, contact our support team. Please include in your ticket:
- Name and version of your antivirus or firewall software
- The symptoms you see (pages not loading, certificate errors, "app offline", etc.)
- Your AdBlock360 version (see Settings → About)
- Log files from Settings → Advanced → Open Log Folder (or from
%ProgramData%\AdBlock360\Logs), if available