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ExpressVPN’s advanced protection offers additional safety and security features for you and your family. When enabled, it can block intrusive display ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult content.

We run a DNS-based traffic blocker running on the user’s device to stop all apps and browsing sessions from communicating with third parties on our blocklists. This approach is simpler and safer than running the traffic blocker on the server side.

The full suite of advanced protection features includes an ad blocker, an adult site blocker, and a malicious sites blocker (available on all plans), as well as a tracker blocker (Advanced and Express Pro plans). It’s available on the ExpressVPN app for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux, as well as ExpressVPN Aircove. The tracker blocker and ad blocker are also available on the ExpressVPN app for Apple TV.

Important: In ExpressVPN’s desktop, mobile, and Android TV apps, the advanced protection features only work when you are connected to the VPN (using any supported VPN protocol except IKEv2). On Apple TV, advanced protection features are available only when using the Automatic or Lightway protocols. If you would like to use these features without turning the VPN on, you can do so via Aircove, which offers advanced protection with or without the VPN enabled.

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What are the advanced protection features?
How to enable (or disable) advanced protection

What are the advanced protection features?

Advanced protection is a group of safety and security settings that includes a tracker and malicious site blocker, ad blocking, and parental controls.

Tracker blocker

Note: The tracker blocker is available on Advanced and Express Pro plans.

Many of the apps and websites you visit keep records of your activity and share it with third-party companies, which may include trackers. The tracker blocker gives you more control over what companies know about you and what you do online. It prevents apps and websites you visit from tracking your online activities.

Currently, this feature is available within the ExpressVPN apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Apple TV, and Linux, as well as Aircove.

Malicious sites blocker

Note: The malicious sites blocker is available on Basic, Advanced, and Express Pro plans.

Some apps and websites may expose you to malware and phishing domains. The malicious site blocker protects you from spyware and phishing sites by blocking known malicious websites before they can load.

This feature is available within the ExpressVPN apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux, as well as Aircove.

Ad blocker

Note: Ad blocker is available on Basic, Advanced, and Express Pro plans.

Ad blocker prevents most display ads from being shown to you when browsing the web.

Currently, it’s available within the ExpressVPN apps for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Apple TV, and Linux, as well as Aircove.

Parental controls (adult site blocker)

Note: Parental controls are available on Basic, Advanced, and Express Pro plans.

With ExpressVPN’s parental controls, you can prevent anyone, including your children, from accessing most adult sites.

Our adult site blocklist is compiled from publicly available and open-source lists of known adult sites. We regularly review and update these blocklists so that you can stay protected against the latest threats.

Additionally, parental controls for Aircove enable you to block the internet at certain times. This is very helpful for reducing your child’s online time.

Parental controls are available within the ExpressVPN apps for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux, as well as Aircove.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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How to enable (or disable) advanced protection features

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable them, follow the instructions corresponding to your device:

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable advanced protection features:

  1. Click Add-ons.ExpressVPN Windows application interface showing a "Not Protected" status, with the "Add-ons" navigation tab highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click Advanced Protection.ExpressVPN Windows Add-ons dashboard displaying available security features, with the "Advanced Protection" option highlighted in a green box.
  3. Under Advanced Protection, toggle on/off the features to fit your needs.ExpressVPN Windows Advanced Protection settings menu showing toggle switches, with the options for blocking ads, malicious sites, trackers, and adult sites highlighted in a green box.
  4. Reconnect to the VPN to apply the changes.

  1. Connect to the VPN.
  2. Tap Add-ons.ExpressVPN mobile application interface showing connection status and an interactive map, with the "Add-ons" bottom navigation tab highlighted in a green box.
  3. Tap Advanced Protection.ExpressVPN mobile Add-ons menu showing security and tool suites, with the "Advanced Protection" card highlighted in a green box.
  4. Under Advanced Protection, toggle the settings on/off as you see fit.ExpressVPN mobile Advanced Protection settings menu with individual feature toggles, highlighted within a green box.

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable advanced protection features:

  1. Click Add-ons.ExpressVPN Windows application interface showing a "Not Protected" status, with the "Add-ons" navigation tab highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click Advanced Protection.ExpressVPN macOS Add-ons dashboard displaying available security features, with the "Advanced Protection" option highlighted in a green box.
  3. Under Advanced Protection, toggle on/off the features to fit your needs.ExpressVPN macOS Advanced Protection sub-menu, displaying disabled toggle switches for ads, malicious sites, trackers, and adult sites inside a green box.
  4. Reconnect to the VPN to apply the changes.

  1. Connect to the VPN using any protocol except IKEv2.
  2. Tap Add-ons.The "Add-ons" tab in the ExpressVPN app for iOS highlighted.
  3. Tap Advanced Protection.ExpressVPN mobile Add-ons menu showing security and tool suites, with the "Advanced Protection" option highlighted in a green box.
  4. Under Advanced Protection, toggle the settings on/off as you see fit.ExpressVPN mobile Advanced Protection settings menu with individual feature toggles, highlighted within a green box.

  1. In a device group, select Settings icon..
  2. Select Advanced Protection.
  3. Toggle the settings on or off.
  4. Select Save.

  1. Connect to the VPN using the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
  2. Go to Options.ExpressVPN app showing the main screen, with the "Options" navigation tab highlighted in a green box.
  3. Select Advanced Protection.The "Advanced Protection" option in the ExpressVPN app for tvOS.
  4. Turn on the advanced protection features to suit your needs.The "Advanced Protection" screen in the ExpressVPN app for tvOS.

  1. Connect to the VPN.
  2. Select Options on the main screen.The "Option" tab in the ExpressVPN app for Android TVs.
  3. Select Settings.The Options menu in the ExpressVPN app for Android TVs, with a highlighted "Settings" option.
  4. Select Advanced Protection.The settings in the ExpressVPN app for Android TVs, with a highlighted "Advanced Protection" option.
  5. Toggle advanced protection settings on and off as you see fit.The Advanced Protection screen in the ExpressVPN app for Android TVs, with all options under Threat Manager highlighted.

ExpressVPN GUI app for Linux

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable advanced protection features:

  1. Click Add-ons.ExpressVPN Linux application dashboard set to a Hungary location with the "Add-ons" highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click Advanced Protection.ExpressVPN Linux Add-ons dashboard with the "Advanced Protection" option highlighted in a green box.
  3. Under Advanced Protection, toggle on/off the features to fit your needs.ExpressVPN Linux Advanced Protection settings menu showing toggle switches, with the options for blocking ads, malicious sites, trackers, and adult sites highlighted in a green box.

ExpressVPN CLI for Linux

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable all advanced protection features at the same time:

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Connect to the VPN.
  3. To enable all advanced protection features, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockAll true
    To disable all advanced protection features, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockAll false
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

You can also enable and disable each advanced protection feature individually:

Block trackers

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN.
  3. To block trackers, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockTrackers true
    To disable, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockTrackers false
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

Block malicious sites

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN.
  3. To block malicious sites, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockMalicious true
    To disable, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockMalicious false
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

Block ads

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN.
  3. To enable the ad blocker, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockAds true
    To disable, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockAds false
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

Block adult sites

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN.
  3. To block adult sites, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockAdult true
    To disable, enter the command:
    expressvpnctl set blockAdult false
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

Legacy Linux app

To enable all advanced protection features at the same time:

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN and use the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
  3. To enable all advanced protection features, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_all true
    To disable all advanced protection features, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_all off
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

You can also enable and disable each advanced protection feature individually:

Block trackers

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN and use the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
  3. To block trackers, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_trackers true
    To disable, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_trackers off
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

Block malicious sites

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN and use the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
  3. To block malicious sites, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_malicious true
    To disable, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_malicious off
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

Block ads

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN and use the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
  3. To enable the ad blocker, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_ads true
    To disable, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_ads off
  4. Press Enter to confirm.

Block adult sites

  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Make sure to connect to the VPN and use the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
  3. To block adult sites, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_adult true
    To disable, enter the command:
    expressvpn preferences set block_adult off
  4. Press Enter to confirm.
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