Most online threats today don't arrive as a suspicious program you download. They arrive as a link — in an email, a text message, a social media post or an advert — that leads to a fake login page, a scam shop or a page full of fake virus warnings. Guardio is one of a newer type of security tool built specifically for this: it lives inside your web browser rather than scanning files on your computer.
MyAntiPC isn't affiliated with Guardio and earns nothing if you sign up. Features and plans change, so check Guardio's official website for current details before subscribing.
1. What Guardio is
Guardio is a security service from a company founded in 2018 and based in Israel. On a computer, it's installed as an extension for Chromium-based browsers such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Guardio also offers mobile apps. Protection is sold as a subscription, with plans that can cover several members of a family.
2. What it protects against
- Phishing and scam websites: Guardio checks pages as you browse and blocks those known or detected to be fake login pages, scam shops or fraudulent sites.
- Malicious downloads and links: It warns about or blocks downloads and links associated with malware.
- Notification spam: Many fake "virus found" alerts come from websites that tricked you into allowing notifications. Guardio can detect and remove these permissions.
- Risky browser extensions: It can flag other extensions installed in your browser that are known to be harmful or that behave suspiciously.
- Identity and data-breach alerts: Depending on the plan, it can alert you if your email address or other details appear in known data breaches.
The value of this approach is timing: it can stop you before you type your password into a fake page or give your card details to a scam shop — threats that traditional antivirus isn't always designed to catch.
3. What it doesn't do
It's important to understand that Guardio is not a replacement for antivirus.
- It doesn't scan the files already stored on your computer.
- It doesn't provide real-time protection for programs running outside the browser.
- It only protects supported browsers. If you also use a different browser, that browser isn't covered.
- It can't stop phone scams, fake text messages you respond to outside the browser, or someone you've given remote access to.
Guardio is best thought of as an extra layer on top of your antivirus — Microsoft Defender, AVG or another product.
4. How to set it up safely
- Start from the official source. Go to Guardio's official website by typing the address yourself, or search for "Guardio" inside the official Chrome Web Store. Check that the publisher listed is Guardio.
- Add the extension. Select Add to Chrome (or the equivalent in Edge) and review the permissions prompt — see the next section.
- Create your account and choose a plan or trial. Note the date your trial ends.
- Run the first check. Guardio typically reviews your browser for harmful extensions and spammy notifications after installation. Review what it finds before removing anything you rely on.
- Pin the extension by selecting the puzzle-piece icon in the browser toolbar and the pin next to Guardio, so you can see its status.
5. Understanding the permissions it asks for
When you install Guardio, Chrome will warn that the extension can "read and change all your data on all websites". That sounds alarming, and it's worth understanding.
To check every page you visit for scams, a browser security extension needs to see which pages you're visiting and be able to block or modify them. This is true of all browser security extensions, not just Guardio. The trade-off is trust: you're allowing that company to see your browsing. Before installing any security extension, read its privacy policy to understand what data it collects and how it's used.
This same permission is what makes malicious extensions dangerous. Only install extensions from publishers you trust, from the official store, and remove any you no longer use. You can review yours at any time by typing chrome://extensions into the address bar.
6. Who it's best for
- Families where one person — often an older parent or a teenager — tends to click links in messages and ads.
- People who've been hit by fake virus popups or notification spam before.
- Frequent online shoppers who want extra checks on unfamiliar shops.
If you're already a careful browser user with Microsoft Defender's SmartScreen and Chrome's Enhanced protection turned on, you may get less extra benefit.
7. Trials, renewals and removing it
- Subscriptions typically renew automatically. Check the renewal price and date in your Guardio account, and set a reminder if you're on a trial.
- To cancel, use the account or billing section of your Guardio account. Removing the extension from your browser does not cancel a subscription.
- To remove the extension, go to
chrome://extensions(oredge://extensions), find Guardio and select Remove.
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Security and choose Enhanced protection. In Windows, open Windows Security > App & browser control and make sure Reputation-based protection is on. These won't do everything Guardio does, but they add useful protection at no cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is Guardio an antivirus?
No. Guardio is a browser security extension. It protects you while browsing but doesn't scan files on your PC, so you should keep a full antivirus such as Microsoft Defender or AVG running as well.
Does Guardio work with AVG or Microsoft Defender?
Yes. It works inside the browser and doesn't conflict with a normal antivirus program.
Why does Chrome say Guardio can read all my data on websites?
Any extension that checks websites for threats needs to see the pages you visit. This warning appears for all browser security extensions. Read the company's privacy policy to decide whether you're comfortable with it.
Does uninstalling the extension cancel my Guardio subscription?
No. Cancel the subscription separately through your Guardio account's billing settings.
If a step didn't match what you see on your screen, email [email protected] with your Windows version and where you got stuck. We update guides based on reader feedback.