You’re probably reading this because you’re concerned about malware and viruses. Avast antivirus Software has an excellent reputation for protecting computers from malware and viruses. In this Avast Antivirus Review, we will be mentioning its premium and free options, offering a thorough security solution.
However, in late 2019 and early 2020 year, this particular antivirus grabbed attention for collecting user data. They send it to Jumpshot, an analytics business. It was shut down later by Avast’s CEO, Ondrej Vicek.
What is Avast Antivirus:
Avast is a popular antivirus software company offering users paid and free antivirus protection tiers. The Avast free antivirus software efficiently protects devices against viruses, malware, and phishing attempts. On the other hand, the paid tiers add additional features and benefits that many users consider important.
Avast antivirus has been around since the late 1980s. It started gaining popularity after offering the Avast free antivirus model in 2000. Avast offered its customers a more basic version of its software with free virus protection. Also, they gave an option to upgrade to a premium plan whenever they wanted to. By 2006, this platform reached the 20 million mark and became popular among the users.
Is Avast Antivirus Safe?
Avast offers Excellent security solutions with an array of additional features, all presented in a user-friendly interface. During extensive testing, it achieved a perfect 100% malware detection rate. Noteworthy features include comprehensive web protection, a Rescue Disk feature, a secure browser, advanced anti-tracking capabilities, and a suite of effective system optimization tools.
Avast Antivirus offers all the important protections users need to stay protected from cybersecurity threats and malware of all kinds. These can include rootkits, adware, trojans, ransomware, spyware, worms, viruses, and more. Altogether, it has a decent free version and is also a very beginner-friendly antivirus.
Avast Antivirus Premium Security: The Avast Premium Security package includes phishing protection, ransomware protection, and website scanning for secure online shopping and banking.
The Premium Security also provides automatic and manual scans you can schedule for the most suitable times to check the vulnerabilities of the device. Avast’s full and quick scans are called Deep and Smart scans, respectively.
Is Avast Free Antivirus Safe
The AV comparatives also tested the free Avast version. In February-May 2022, the latest real-world protection report showed that Avast blocked 99.6% of the overall malicious samples used in the test, leaving no scope of doubt on the question- “is avast a good antivirus”.
In March 2023, in its Malware protection test, AV-Comparatives discovered that Avast antivirus managed to safeguard against 99.97% of online threats. Also, it generated two false alarms, which is an excellent result.
Another cybersecurity product testing lab, SE laboratory, has also evaluated the free version of Avast. While Avast antivirus managed to block 99% of malicious threats, it still grabbed the highest “AAA” award.
Avast-antivirus is surely among the best antiviruses for malware scanning. Not to mention that the free version of this software is as safe as the paid ones. The paid version is much more feature-loaded. However, experiencing such a generous free plan that even includes a firewall is very refreshing. Additionally, its malware detection rates are as reasonable as the paid ones.
However, Avast One is the perfect option if you want all-rounded protection. You get to safeguard either 5 or 30 devices, and also you get various kinds of security. These securities include malicious websites, tracking protection, real-time, ransomware, and webcam.
How To Install Avast Antivirus?
Whether you are experienced or novice, the Avast free antivirus download or the avast antivirus install is pretty easy. Just follow the steps mentioned below:
- Open the official website of Avast.
- Decide whether you want the free or paid plan, and click the ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Download’ button. If you want to go for the premium plan, ensure to choose the correct device count.
- Premium Avast version users will be asked to insert payment information. However, free-version users can continue following the installation directions.
- Now you can download the file and follow the instructions of the installation.
Avast Antivirus Key Feature
In this Avast antivirus review, let us now see some avast key features. It has a wide range of security features, used by over 435 million users around the world. This software protects their computers and smartphones from malware and other online threats. Some of the notable avast antivirus key features are:
- User-friendly interface that is easy to use and simple to navigate. You do not need any instruction manual or in-depth knowledge to use this antivirus.
- You can use this antivirus on multiple devices. It is compatible with iOS devices (iPhones), Windows PCs, tablets, Android Phones, and also Macs.
- This software has an anti-theft feature, namely Device Lock. It helps you locate your device and keeps it safe from unauthorized access.
- Avast antivirus has a password manager, automatically developing strong passwords for each site you visit.
- With Avast’s suite of incredible security features, the software also blocks over 1.5 billion monthly threats. There is a malware-scanning engine that detects threats in real time. Additionally, there is also an antivirus database. It is frequently updated with the latest identified vulnerabilities and threats.
- The Avast software scans all outgoing and incoming data traffic. It helps to block any malicious threats or activities.
- Additionally, this software provides sandbox technology. It helps to isolate anonymous files in a secluded environment before they are allowed to run on your mobile device or PC.
Avast Antivirus Review: Some Additional Features
Virus Scans:
There are several options in this antivirus software. Avast software scans are easy to find, and there are a bunch for you to select from. Avast scans include Network Inspector, Smart, Targeted, Boot-time, Full, and Custom scans.
- Network Inspector: It helps you to find hidden threats to prevent hackers from stealing personal data.
- Smart Scan: It identifies outdated software, network threats, and malwares.
- Targeted Scan: You can use it when suspecting threats in a specific destination.
- Boot-time Scan: This can be used for finding types of malware, activating on system startup.
- Full Scan: This is used for the in-depth scan of your system.
- Custom Scans: This works great if you want a quick checkup or are in a hurry. Also, it checks the surface of the system.
Email-Shield:
This feature offers you decent email security and is also available with the Avast free virus protection version. Additionally, it stops intrusive web tracking and prevents dangerous email attachments. Also, it blocks suspicious downloads and alerts you about unsafe websites.
To simplify, it controls potentially unwanted programs (PuPs) and scans safe connections. Such scans are only applicable to outgoing and ingoing emails of famous mail management software like Outlook or Mail.
Malware Protection:
- A thorough malware detection that restricts you from sharing corrupted files with other users.
- Real-time run protection, running silently in the background to stop threats as they appear in a discreet yet effective way. You can also use this feature in the free Avast antivirus version.
- External storage monitors to check external drives, such as USB sticks, CDs, DVDs, etc, for viruses.
- In-depth scanning of your entire device or machine that is made to root out masked malware.
- Security information offers you personalized updates every 30 days.
- Scheduled scanning for checking malware even if you are away from your desk.
- Real-time security updates and the latest features are automatically updated.
Ransomware Shield:
This feature is included in the Premium Plan for protecting your photos and files from ransomware attacks. After enabling this feature, it does not let the untrusted applications access your personal files.
However, there are two shield modes available: smart and strict. The smart mode is the default setting. It refers to the list of trusted applications to determine which ones can modify your files. You will be notified instantly if something other than this list tries to touch your secured files.
On the other hand, for the strict mode, every single time, you will be asked for permission while being notified that any app is trying to access your secured documents. Also, except for those that you have already allowed (or did not allow).
Avast SecureLine VPN:
The “Avast One Bundle” will also provide you with the Avast SecureLine VPN that you can also buy separately. It might not be as good as NordVPN, but the service is pretty good.
Additionally, free Avast users have access to the VPN. However, it is limited to 5GB every week. If you stream content, it will be used up fast.
Avast Firewall:
A firewall is an important feature of an antivirus package. Avast antivirus offers both paid and free for the users. A firewall is necessary to protect your network from unauthorized invasion. You can also block internet access to certain apps yourself.
However, there is an advanced network security feature for paid users. You can disable or enable the hiding of potentially personal information from other network devices. You can also be notified about ARP and open port spoofing attacks.
Avast Antivirus Review: Pricing & Plans
Let us now look at the pricing and plans in this Avast Antivirus review. The basic product in the lineup is the Avast free antivirus. There are some additional versions which have comparatively more features but however they are not free. Additionally, Avast One is the new version of this antivirus, offering more features than the free version. Let’s see what comes with each of the Avast versions and throw some light on “Is Avast worth it?”:
Avast Free Antivirus
- This antivirus protection is both behavior and signature-based.
- Checks for password violation
- Network protection available for home WiFi
- WiFi protection, including a wireless VPN trial
- Interruption blocking for movies, presentations, and other activities.
- Malware protection watching the activity of suspect guards and software against suspicious or known websites
- Smart scan to check for problematic settings, out-of-date settings, and software.
- CyberCapture sends fishy software to the cloud for investigation and then develops a fix to send to all the users.
- Email protection for supported clients controls malware from being received over a mail connection.
Avast Premium Security
Avast Premium Security consists of all of the features of Free Avast Antivirus. However, there is an extra cost of $69.99 yearly for only one device or $89.99 yearly for up to ten devices. Here are some of the additional features of Avast Premium Security:
- Webcam security
- Fake website identification and redirects to the real website
- An advanced firewall working in conjunction with the Windows firewall
- Security tools to restrict a takeover of your PC
- Security available for browser-stored passwords
- IP address blocking for known malware websites
- Brute force attack control counting unsuccessful login attempts
Avast One
The newer version of the Avast antivirus software is Avast One. It includes a number of features that were previously add-ons. It includes the following features:
Avast One Essential
- For WiFi connections, a VPN is available
- Advanced antivirus
- Safeguard against compromised passwords
- Advanced anti-malware
- Privacy protections for famous applications and sites
- Advanced privacy protections for browser
- PC performance modifications
Avast One Essential
- For WiFi connections, a VPN is available
- Advanced antivirus
- Safeguard against compromised passwords
- Advanced anti-malware
- Privacy protections for famous applications and sites
- Advanced privacy protections for browser
- PC performance modifications
Avast One Family
Avast One Family is as same as the individual plan, but it can support six accounts and to thirty devices. The cost is $139.99 yearly.
Avast Ultimate
Avast Ultimate has many products, including Avast Premium Security and Avast Anti Track. Also, there is Avast Cleanup Premium and Avast SecureLine VPN. It sells for $99.99 yearly for only one device and $119.99 yearly for ten devices.
Pros And Cons Of Avast Antivirus:
Our Avast Antivirus Review is incomplete without mentioning its advantages and disadvantages. so, several pros and cons of Avast Antivirus are mentioned below:
Pros:
- Lots of useful features are available
- A free version is also there
- Performs pretty well in individual lab tests
- Really easy to navigate and download
Cons:
- Big business plans are heavily expensive
- For extra features, you have to pay extra
- It has been known to leak user data in the past
Some Best Alternatives To Avast Antivirus:
Interested in finding out some of the best alternatives to Avast Antivirus? Check out the top alternatives below to compare what Avast offers with some other leading antivirus products.
- Norton: A powerful all-rounder performer boasting incredible malware protection results. Specifically, the results are from independent labs and some additional security features such as webcam protection, a VPN, and cloud backup.
- Panda: Panda beat Avast in antivirus usability, performance, and pricing. This is a smaller company, while Avast is large in the industry. However, Panda can still hold its own name here.
- Trend Micro: If you are searching for a low-cost alternative, Trend Micro is worth looking at. It includes a few extra tools, but not similar to the Avast package. If you don’t need tools like password manager, then you can take a look at this.
Bottom Line:
In conclusion, Avast antivirus offers unparalleled protection against dangerous real-world malware and threats online. This antivirus has several features that are specially designed for your device. The Avast plans may seem quite expensive, but it is worth it because many features are also available in the paid plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Is Avast a good antivirus software?
Avast Antivirus has an excellent reputation for protecting devices from malware and viruses. With premium and free options, it delivers a thorough security solution.
- Can Avast Antivirus be trusted?
If you are searching for an antivirus that has good security ratings, Avast is a reliable option that will work for many users who want security features and is easy to use.
- What are the disadvantages of Avast?
One of the key advantages of Avast antivirus is that it can be slightly pricey. However, with the paid plans, there will be some additional features.
- What happened to Avast Antivirus?
Avast Antivirus was dual-listed on the London Stock Exchange and on the Prague Stock Exchange. Also, it was a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index Until Norton LifeLock acquired it in September 2022.
