Overview
This article explains how our new Antivirus protection service works, and why it is important to stay protected against the latest threats, both online and offline. It will also teach you how to install the app and activate your protection for the very first time.
In this section
What is VS Antivirus?
The goal of VirtualShield is to be your one and only online security service. In addition to encrypting your data and masking your location, we now offer some exclusive security features many other VPNs don't.
Some security features include:
Active Protection will automatically scan your entire device for threats on a daily/weekly basis. You can also automate Scheduled scans to run at any time.
Quickly scan your device in just a few seconds, or perform a Deep scan to extensively scan all of the apps, files, and drives connected to your device.
Stay up-to-date with the latest product updates and virus threat definitions, and get notified immediately if a threat is found and blocked during a scan.
Quarantine or delete unsafe files, view Activity reports, and your Scan History to get a glimpse of what has been previously blocked by our system.
Manage Allowed apps, files, folders, and archive types that will be included or excluded from scanning. Control every single aspect of your protection.
Why choose VirtualShield?
Your online privacy and security is our number one concern above everything else. However, there are many factors involved when it comes to keeping your data safe in this modern high-tech world. Luckily we've got you covered. At VirtualShield, we handle everything for you.
While a VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your geographic location, it will not protect your offline apps or any of the files stored locally on your devices, or your physical and digital media. Many third-party apps can also be used to download unsafe files in the background, and monitor or steal your data without you even knowing it.
As a result, we now offer secure Antivirus protection that rivals many of our competitors. If used in combination with our Fast, Secure VPN service and our new Ad & Malware Blocking service, you will be protected against even the most malicious forms of trojans/viruses and hacking attempts that can be used to steal your personal data, and invade your privacy.
Additionally, a VirtualShield Ultimate plan unlocks full access to many other security services. Including Identity Theft Protection, Personal Data Removal, Credit Score Monitoring, Dark Web Monitoring, and much more.
In this section
Activating Protection
First of all, congratulations on upgrading your subscription and taking advantage of our brand-new Antivirus protection package! Why purchase several different security products when you only need one.
Not only will you be protected by our state-of-the-art VPN network, you can now rest assured use your devices with comfort and peace of mind, knowing that both your online and offline activity will be fully protected against all of the latest threats.
The next step is to download and install the VirtualShield Antivirus app to activate your protection, if you have not done so already.
Start by visiting your Account Dashboard. Select 
Antivirus from the navigation menu to download Antivirus protection for your device:
If you do not have a VirtualShield Ultimate plan or the Antivirus add-on, contact us and we'll be happy to upgrade your subscription.
Press the Download button next to your specific device, and follow the necessary steps to complete the installation.
See our support article for more info on how to install our apps on each of your various devices.
On Windows computers, the Antivirus will activate automatically upon download. On other devices, it will download a trial version from our website or from the Google Play Store.
Use your License Key to activate the full version. You can find this key by visiting your Account Dashboard.
The first time you open the app, it will immediately begin to check for updates and download the latest threat definitions for your device.
This can take a moment, depending on your internet connection. Do not attempt to turn off/restart your device during this process.
You will now be presented with the Status screen. This is where you can enable/disable Active Protection, perform a Quick/Deep scan, view your Scan History, and more.
That's it! Your entire device will now be protected from threats. This includes your apps, files/folders, drives, and even externally connected devices.
What's next?
After installing the app and setting up Active Protection, the final step is to personalize and customize the app to suit your needs. The articles below will help you get started.
Common Questions
Why does the Antivirus tell me to upgrade?
If you downloaded a trial version of the Antivirus, you can unlock the full version at any time by entering your License Key. See our support article for more information.
Do I need VS Ultimate to be protected?
No, upgrading to a VS Ultimate plan is entirely optional. It is not required in order to be protected. Antivirus protection can also be purchased separately as an add-on to your current subscription. Contact our support team for more information.