The Home Network Security feature checks out your whole home network for potential risks, while the software updater can tell you whether components such as Java or Adobe Flash are up to date. The software’s built-in store might be only one click away, but no-one is forcing you to use it.įor a free package, Avast packs in plenty of additional features, with a rescue disk tool for creating bootable USB sticks or CDs with antivirus software and the latest definitions preinstalled, and a browser clean-up feature that gets rid of irritating toolbars and extensions. The latter is – like the firewall, anti-spam and secure online banking features – a paid-for extra, but the software is upfront about this and doesn’t endlessly nag about upgrading. The main Overview panel reveals what’s protected at a glance, while exposing the core Smart Scan, Browser Cleanup and Home Network Security tools, plus the SecureLine VPN service. The user interface is equally straightforward, exposing all the major features in a clean, pane-based interface. The package downloads the latest signatures during the initial install, followed by a quick scan as soon as setup is complete.
Those looking for enhanced security features can test and/or purchase Avast Premier, Avast Internet Security or Avast Pro Antivirus.It gets off to a good start. The utility's virus signatures can be kept up-to-date with Avast Virus Definitions. As far as virus detection ratio is concerned, Avast Free Antivirus delivers very good results, which places it among the top-rated antivirus solutions on the current market. It is possible to disable the file system, mail or web shield with one click and customize settings for each one of them. System resources can be hogged or spared, depending on how fast users want the scans to finish.
The software updater automatically finds updates available for other programs, SecureLine must be purchased before it can be used, the browser cleanup component removes toolbars and resets browser settings to default if necessary, AccessAnywhere requires an Avast account (free) to control the PC from remote locations, and Rescue Disk creates a bootable USB or CD drive with the latest virus definitions to use for offline scanning and cleaning. Unconfirmed suspected infections sent to the quarantine may be investigated to decide whether to keep or eliminate them, while reports with scan activities may be examined in logs.
But advanced users have the possibility to fiddle with options regarding rootkits, file types, the exact scan areas, heuristics, PUP and suspicious files, archive formats, action on malware detection, scan priority, reports, exclusions, and scan scheduling. It is not necessary to change any settings, since Avast has a pretty decent default configuration. It is possible to perform a quick scan in areas where malware is known to hide, complete by taking into account the entire computer, in removable drives only, custom directories, or at every Windows boot in autostart processes and services. Various scan modes with user-defined settings
Modern and attractive interfaceĪvast is wrapped in a pleasant and easy-to-use interface which provides fast access to the av status, scanning methods, tools, portable devices with Avast installed for remote control (smartphones, tablets), statistics (real-time and historical data, component status), as well as the rich configuration area, and animated tray icon based on different events. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox), software updater for other programs installed, remote assistance for access on other computers, SecureLine for connection encryption agsinst spyware via VPN, GrimeFighter for system cleanup and maintenance, Rescue Disk for worst case scenarios with malware-crippled PCs, and a simple management connector that reports the Avast status to COM monitoring software. The security tools include browser protection and cleanup (e.g.
Since it is ad-supported, the utility offers to install unnecessary third-party components but they can be skipped. The installer is completely configurable when it comes to shields (for files, emails and web), security tools and preferred languages. Complete and customizable installation package The program features intuitive, advanced and customizable scanning methods along with other modules dedicated to computer safety. This does not make it any less reliable, however.
The antivirus solution from developer AVAST Software comes in many flavors and most users opt for the free edition for obvious reasons.