PremierVPN Protect is a free browser extension that blocks ads, YouTube ads, trackers, cookie pop-ups, malware and scam sites. If you're a PremierVPN customer, you can also sign in to use the browser proxy, which sends your browser's traffic through a PremierVPN server. These articles cover version 2.3.
| Free (no account) | PremierVPN customers | |
|---|---|---|
| Ad, tracker and cookie-banner blocking | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube ad blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Ad click protection and dangerous-site warnings | Yes | Yes |
| WebRTC leak protection and privacy settings | Yes | Yes |
| Hide elements, trusted sites, statistics | Yes | Yes |
| Browser proxy | No | Yes, with an active plan |
| Blocking stats in the portal dashboard | No | Yes, when signed in |
Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave and other Chromium browsers (from the Chrome Web Store), and Firefox on desktop and Android (from Firefox Add-ons).
What it doesn't do: Protect only protects the browser it's installed in. To protect your whole device, including other apps, use the PremierVPN app.
Get started
- Install Protect in Chrome, Edge or Brave
- Install Protect in Firefox
- A tour of the popup
- Use the browser proxy (PremierVPN customers)
Recommended settings
The default settings are the best choice for most people: they block ads, trackers and threats without breaking sites. Adjust from there for these needs.
| Need | Change from the defaults |
|---|---|
| Everyday use | Nothing. Keep the defaults. |
| Maximum privacy | Switch on Social widgets, Remove preconnect hints and Block fonts from other sites. If you're a customer, also use the browser proxy. Some comments, embeds and icons may disappear. |
| Slow or metered connection | Switch on Block all images. Trust the sites where you need to see pictures. |
| Using a site's live chat or comments | Trust that site, or switch off Annoyances (live chat) or Social widgets (comments). |
| Hiding your location from websites | Switch on the browser proxy, or connect the PremierVPN app for the whole device. Keep WebRTC leak protection on. |
| A site doesn't work | Trust that site rather than switching a protection off everywhere. |
| Running another ad blocker | Turn the other one off. Two blockers together can break sites and stop Protect's counts going up. |
Your privacy
Protect never collects the sites you visit, and every blocking and privacy feature works without an account. Settings, statistics, trusted sites and hidden elements stay on your device.
| When | What is sent |
|---|---|
| Always | Nothing about you. Rule updates are a plain download from PremierVPN. |
| Signing in | Your email address and password, to PremierVPN only, to sign you in. |
| Signed in | Blocking counts, so the portal dashboard can show each browser: numbers only, with a random install ID, the browser name and the date. Never the sites you visit. |
| Using the browser proxy | Your browser's traffic goes through a PremierVPN server, which keeps no logs. |
Signing out stops the syncing. Removing the extension deletes everything it stored in the browser.
Common questions
- Is it free? Yes. All blocking and privacy features are free, with no account. The browser proxy is for PremierVPN customers.
- Does it work on phones? On Android, in Firefox. Chrome and Safari on phones don't support extensions, so use the PremierVPN app there.
- Do I need the PremierVPN app? No. Protect works on its own. The app protects your whole device; the extension protects your browser.
- Does it slow browsing down? Usually pages load faster, because ads and trackers aren't downloaded. The browser proxy can add a little delay, depending on the location you choose.
- Does it block ads in other apps? No, only in the browser it's installed in.