Click a question below to learn more about the security features and functionality of the AOL Shield Pro browser.
What is the box in the upper right of my browser that has random letters and numbers?
This is the AOL Shield Pro Anti-Keylogging feature at work. This patented technology replaces the actual keys you press with randomly-generated characters to prevent criminals from capturing your keystrokes and your sensitive data.
How do I hide or remove the Anti-Keylogging window?
You can hide the Anti-Keylogging window under Settings.
Note: The following steps will only hide the Anti-Keylogging window. AOL Shield Pro will continue to encrypt your keystrokes.
1. In the upper right, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) and then click Settings.
2. On the Settings page, under Appearance, uncheck the box next to “Show enhanced security scrambler window.”
3. Restart the AOL Shield Pro browser.
Can I use AOL Shield Pro on a tablet?
The AOL Shield Pro browser is currently only available for desktop and laptop computers running Windows OS.
Can I use AOL Shield Pro on a Macintosh computer?
AOL Shield Pro is currently only available for desktop and laptop computers running Windows OS.
How do I set my homepage in AOL Shield Pro?
1. To set your homepage, in the upper right, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) and then click Settings.
2. On the Settings page, under Appearance, make sure the box next to Show Home Button is checked and then click the Change link.
3. In the box that appears, click the circle next to “Open this page”, and then type in the url that you’d like to set as your homepage.
4. Click Ok to save your homepage.
How do I clear my browsing history (cookies, cache) in AOL Shield Pro?
1. To clear your browsing history, in the upper right, click the menu button (three horizontal lines).
2. In the menu window, move your pointer over More Tools, and then click Clear browsing data.
3. In the box that appears, select the checkboxes for the types of browsing information that you want to remove.
4. At the top of the box, click the drop-down menu to select the amount of data that you want to delete. Select beginning of time to delete everything.
5. Click Clear browsing data.
Is there private browsing in AOL Shield Pro?
Yep. In the upper right, click the menu button (three horizontal lines), and then click New Incognito Window.
Can I run Chrome extensions, apps, and themes in the AOL Shield Pro browser?
Yes, AOL Shield Pro is built off of Chromium, the same framework that Chrome is built on. Most Chrome extensions, apps, and themes on the Chrome Store should work.
Can I take screenshots in AOL Shield Pro?
Yep. You can take a screenshot using the standard PC way by selecting the window you want to take a picture of and then pressing the Alt key and Print Screen key at the same time. To learn more, please visit our help article How do I take a screenshot?.
Note: Software that takes screenshots such as Windows Snipping tool, Snagit, etc, will not work. This is an AOL Shield Pro security feature that prevents malware from taking screenshots to steal your sensitive information.
How do I get rid of the Anti-Keylogging bar when watching video in full screen mode?
This is a bug that we're working on and should have fixed soon. In the meantime you have two options:
1. While watching a video in full-screen mode, the simplest way to remove the Anti-Keylogging bar is to move your pointer on top of the bar and it will go away.
2. You can go into Settings, and under Appearance, uncheck the box next “Show enhanced security scrambler window.” (access Settings by clicking the menu button in the upper right - the three horizontal lines)
Then close and re-start the AOL Shield Pro browser.How does AOL Shield Pro help keep me safer online?
AOL Shield Pro has the following security features built in:
Anti-Phishing
Patented technology to help prevent identity and data theft by identifying whenever a user navigates to a scam phishing site. It blocks the phishing site from loading.
Blocklisting Protection
Once a phishing website has been confirmed, it is added to a blocklist that is maintained and made available for public use.
Advanced Security Protection
Window Hook Protection - A hook is a mechanism to listen to system messages that are sent to an application window such as mouse and keyboard events. Hook protection prevents malware from listening to these messages.
Kernel Level keylogging Protection
Key loggers are a form of spyware or "trojans" that are used to capture keystrokes. The AOL Shield Pro software uses patented technology that replaces the actual keys pressed with randomly-generated characters to help prevent anyone from capturing keystrokes, and with them, your sensitive data.
Screen Capture Protection
Prevents malware from stealing sensitive information by preventing such malicious software from taking pictures of the browser screens. The user is still able to capture screens manually.
Form Grabbing (Anti-API hooking) Protection
Prevents malicious software from stealing form data before it is encrypted and sent to the intended website.
Crypto and Networking API protection
A technique used by some malware (e.g. SpyEye. Zeus) is to intercept the calls to crypto and networking libraries. The software is able to remove the hooks installed by this type of malware.
Malware Protection
Leverages the Chromium open source project anti-malware and anti-download technology. A database of websites known to contain malware is actively maintained. This information is communicated to AOL Shield Pro. If a website is reported as containing malware, the user will be redirected to a malware alert page.
Malware download protection
Involves maintaining a database of known malicious files; each time a user downloads a file, the list of malicious files is checked. If a user attempts to download a malicious file, the file will be blocked. An allowlist of known good files is also maintained to prevent unnecessary checking and or blocking of good files.