Hide.me has launched a new multi-faceted security feature called SmartGuard. In a tweet on Monday, the VPN provider said SmartGuard blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites. It also has a parental control feature.
“SmartGuard uses DNS filtering and an extensive list of known malicious sites, ads/tracker domains to protect you online and provide a cleaner browsing experience,” Hide.me explains on its website.
SmartGuard is a premium feature available to users of the Hide.me VPN app on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.
‘Fight Back Against Intrusive Ads, Trackers, and Malicious Websites
SmartGuard promises improved security. Hide.me described it as a “digital bouncer,” protecting users from pesky ads, trackers, and malicious websites.
While online ads may seem innocuous, they can be used to spread malware. In January, a report by Cyble Research & Threat Intelligence Labs revealed that cybercriminals are using Google Ads to spread a new malware strain, dubbed “Rhadamanthys Stealer.”
Besides being an ad/malware blocker, SmartGuard allows parents to protect their children online by managing the websites and content they can access.
It’s not uncommon for VPN apps to include ad and tracker blockers — NordVPN has Threat Protection, and Surfshark has CleanWeb. Hide.me’s decision to add a parental control feature to its app sets it apart.
“It’s essential to keep kids protected when they browse the web. SmartGuard helps you keep them safe with granular parental controls,” Hide.me explains. “These optional filters block services ranging from gambling to adult content. You can even add your own entries!”
Hide.me said the new SmartGuard feature aligns with its strict no-logs policy.
“We store no logs of the websites you visit. It operates similarly to a browser-level ad-blocker but across your entire VPN connection,” the VPN provider explains.
How to Use Hide.me’s SmartGuard
To use SmartGuard, go to Settings on the Hide.me app and search for SmartGuard. You can configure the feature (i.e., block or allow specific websites) according to your preference. For more information about SmartGuard, head to Hide.me’s website or contact its customer support team.
We’ve subjected Hide.me to extensive testing — it earned a score of 7.4/10. Read our Hide.me review to discover how it performed and what we like/dislike about this VPN service.
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