Issue

• Your ESET product displays your current level of protection in the main program window
• Green – You are protected
• Yellow – Attention required
• Red – Security alert

Solution

Display the ESET icon in the Windows notification area for your ESET home product.

Green – You are protected

The green protection status with a white check mark indicates that your computer is protected. When your protection status is green, and no action is required, the icon will be displayed in the Windows notification area.

Yellow – Attention required

The yellow protection status () indicates that your ESET product requires your attention. The yellow icon indicates that Web access protection or Email client protection is disabled or paused, there is a problem updating the program (outdated modules, unable to update), or that your license is nearing its expiration date.

Restore the green protection status by following the instructions in the alert box below the yellow protection status.

• Web and email: If Antispam protection is paused, it will be marked with a yellow Security notification status. The protection status of your computer will not change because the Antispam module protects your email only.
• Windows Updates available: You may see the(or in earlier versions) icon in your Windows notification area or the message "Operating System is not up to date" on the Home screen when updates to your operating system are available. Change the level of these notifications or disable them completely.
• If Parental Control is paused or not set up, it will be marked with a yellow Inactive status. The protection status of your computer will not change.
• If Network Attack Protection (IDS), Botnet protection, webcam protection, or Banking & Payment Protection is paused, the Protection status icon will change to yellow.
• License is expiring in 14 days: Your Protection status icon will change to yellow when your license has 14 days remaining or fewer until it expires. When it expires, your ESET product will be unable to update and your protection status will change to red. Renew your license.
• A computer restart is recommended: Your Protection status icon will change to yellow when you update your ESET product to the latest version.
• If you disable Email client protection or Web access protection, your Protection status icon will change to yellow. 
• If you select Block all network traffic in the Network module, the Protection status icon will change to yellow because network services such as updates will be unavailable.
• If Gamer mode is enabled, all scheduled tasks are paused and the Protection status icon will change to yellow.

Red – Security alert

A red protection status () displays when maximum protection is not ensured and your computer is vulnerable to threats. Generally, you will see an alert message that explains why maximum protection is not ensured and recommends actions to take. One or both of the Antivirus and antispyware or the firewall modules may have red exclamation points next to them.

• Product not activated: This problem will trigger a red warning and security notification next to the Computer item.
• Username, Password, or License Key not entered correctly: If your protection status changes to red after you install ESET Smart Security or ESET NOD32 Antivirus, make sure your Username, Password, or License are entered correctly.
• If you pause or disable Antivirus and antispyware protection, the protection status changes to red.
• If one of the critical protection modules is disabled, such as Real-time file system protection, the protection status will change to red. How do I exclude certain files or folders from Real-time scanning?
• If Web access protection is paused, it causes Anti-Phishing to be non-functional and the protection status changes to red.
• If the Host-based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) is disabled, the protection status changes to red.
• License is expired: The protection status will change to red after your license has expired. How do I renew my license?
• ESET Personal firewall is paused: In the main program window, click Enable Firewall to enable the firewall.