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Turn on Web Protection in Desktop Security

  • Compatible with:
  • Windows,
  • macOS
  • Available in:
  • Desktop Security version 5

Desktop Security's Web protection safeguards your online experience by blocking web-based threats such as online scams, phishing sites, and ransomware. By enabling Web protection, you can browse the internet while keeping your personal information secure and preventing these threats from accessing your computer and network.

Follow the steps below to turn on Web protection on your Windows or macOS device.

Turn on Web Protection on a Windows device

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Settings Settings_Cog.png icon in the left side bar.
  3. On the Settings page, click the Protection tab.
  4. Under Protection settings, toggle on Web protection.

Turn on Web Protection on a macOS device

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection. A pop-up window explaining how to give Malwarebytes permission on your Mac device appears. Depending on your macOS version, your steps may differ. 

macOS Tahoe 26

Turn on Web protection by following the instructions in the app:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection.
  4. Follow the instructions on your screen to grant system extension access.
    tahoe_light.png
  5. To check if Web protection is on, return to the main dashboard. Your Real-Time Protection will be fully active.

Turn on Web protection manually:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection.
  4. In the Enable Security Extension window, click Open.
    tahoe_light.png
  5. In the message pop-up, click Open System Settings. Your System Settings will automatically open to Login Items & Extensions settings.
    Screenshot 2025-09-23 at 9.20.07 AM.png
    Note: If Login Items & Extensions settings does not open automatically, try clicking Open in the Enable Security Extension window again. If it still does not open, manually open Mac System Settings and navigate to General. Then scroll down and open Login Items & Extensions.
    2.png
    Under Extensions, click the By Category tab. Then scroll to Endpoint Security Extensions and click the (i) icon on the right.
    3.png
  6. Under Endpoint Security Extensions, click the toggle next to Malwarebytes.
    4.png
  7. A prompt appears asking you to allow System Extensions permissions. Enter your computer password and click OK.
    5.png
  8. Click Done.
    6.png
  9. A prompt appears asking for permission to filter network content. Click Allow.
    7.png
  10. To check if Web protection is on, return to the main dashboard. Your Real-Time Protection will be fully active.

macOS Sequoia 15

Turn on Web protection by following the instructions in the app:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection.

  4. Follow the instructions on your screen to grant system extension access.

    sequoia_light.png

  5. To check if Web protection is on, return to the main dashboard. Your Real-Time Protection will be fully active.

Turn on Web protection manually:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection.
  4. In the Enable Security Extension window, click Open.
    sequoia_light.png
  5. In the message pop-up, click Open System Settings. Your System Settings will automatically open to Login Items & Extensions settings.
    sequoia_5_cropped.png
    Note: If Login Items & Extensions settings does not open automatically, try clicking Open in the Enable Security Extension window again. If it still does not open, manually open Mac System Settings and navigate to General. Then scroll down and open Login Items & Extensions.
    6-7.png
    Then scroll down to Endpoint Security Extensions and click the (i) icon on the right.
    8-9.png
  6. Under Endpoint Security Extensions, click the toggle next to Malwarebytes.
    sequoia_6_edited.png
  7. A prompt appears asking you to allow System Extensions permissions. Enter your computer password and click OK.
    sequoia_7_cropped.png
  8. Click Done.
    sequoia_8_edited.png
  9. A prompt appears asking for permission to filter network content. Click Allow.sequoia_9_cropped.png
  10. To check if Web protection is on, return to the main dashboard. Your Real-Time Protection will be fully active.

macOS Ventura 13 through Sonoma 14

Turn on Web protection by following the instructions in the app:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection.
  4. Follow the instructions on your screen to grant system extension access.Sonoma_light.png
  5. To check if Web protection is on, return to the main dashboard. Your Real-Time Protection will be fully active.

Turn on Web protection manually:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection.
  4. In the Enable System Extension window, click Open.Sonoma_light.png
  5. In the message pop-up, click Open System Settings. Your System Settings will automatically open to Privacy & Security settings.
    ventura_sonoma_5_cropped.png
    Note: If Privacy & Security settings does not open automatically, try clicking Open in the Enable System Extension window again. If it still does not open, manually open Mac System Settings. Then scroll down and click on Privacy & Security.6.png
  6. Scroll down to the Security section of your Privacy & Security settings.
  7. Click Allow next to the message System software from application 'Malwarebytes' was blocked from loading.
    ventura_sonoma_6_cropped.png
  8. Enter your computer username and password to allow Privacy & Security to modify your settings. Then click Modify Settings.
    ventura_sonoma_7_cropped.png
  9. A pop-up appears asking for permission to filter network content. Click Allow.
    ventura_sonoma_8_cropped.png
  10. To check if Web protection is on, return to the main dashboard. Your Real-Time Protection will be fully active.

macOS Big Sur 11 and Monterey 12

Turn on Web protection by following the instructions in the app:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection.
  4. Follow the instructions on your screen to grant system extension access.
    Monterey_light.png
  5. To check if Web protection is on, return to the main dashboard. Your Real-Time Protection will be fully active.

Turn on Web protection manually:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Real-Time Protection card on the main dashboard.
  3. Toggle on Web protection.
  4. In the Enable System Extension window, click Open.
    Monterey_light.png
  5. In the message pop-up, click Open Security Preferences. Your System Preferences opens automatically.
    monterey_bigsur_5.png
    Note: If System Preferences does not open automatically, try clicking Open in the Enable System Extension window again. If it still does not open, manually open Mac System Preferences and select Security & Privacy.
  6. At the bottom left of your settings screen, click the padlock icon and enter your Mac username and password to unlock and change your settings.
    6-1.png
  7. Click Allow next to the message System software from application 'Malwarebytes' was blocked from loading.
    monterey_bigsur_7.png
  8. A pop-up appears asking for permission to filter network content. Click Allow.
    monterey_bigsur_8.png
  9. To check if Web protection is on, return to the main dashboard. Your Real-Time Protection will be fully active.

For more information on Web protection notifications, see: Website blocked notification from Desktop Security on macOS device.

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