AdGuard for Mac v2.19: A level-up in security

We are presenting our latest release — AdGuard for Mac v2.19! This version brings a range of updates and improvements focused on two key areas: security and usability. Let’s take a closer look.

Stronger protection with cryptography

We’ve introduced a new protection mechanism: AdGuard for Mac now uses cryptography to safeguard UserDefaults settings and userscripts.

UserDefaults settings are now encrypted using the AES-GCM algorithm. The encryption key is securely stored in the macOS Keychain. Each time the app reads these settings, it verifies their integrity against the encrypted cache. Any external modification of .plist files is detected immediately.

Userscripts and user styles are now protected with SHA256 checksums. Each item in the database is assigned a checksum generated using a secret key from the Keychain. Whenever a script or style is accessed, its checksum is revalidated. Any direct modification, insertion, or deletion in the SQLite database is instantly detected, and you’ll receive a warning.

In practice, nothing changes in how the app feels — but the chances of ads “mysteriously” reappearing due to interference from other apps are now significantly reduced.

We’ve also added a new safety check: AdGuard can now detect when a userscript may compromise a website’s security. If so, you’ll see a warning during installation. This improvement was made possible by an important update to CoreLibs, our filtering engine.

Smoother experience from the very first launch

We’ve reworked the onboarding process to make getting started with AdGuard clearer and more intuitive. New screens and improved guidance help users understand key features and navigate the app with ease.

We’ve also updated Scriptlets, DnsLibs, and UserscriptsWrapper, along with fixing a number of bugs to improve overall stability and performance.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on our latest release. Do not hesitate to share them on social media and send your ideas via GitHub.