... Alwil is offering a NHS for our computers why not take advantage of it?
My introduction to Avast came about a few months after the 90 day trial of Norton Antivirus 04 (on a machine purchased in '05) expired on my mum's laptop. I thought about it for a little and figured it wasn't necessary ... Read review
Advantages: It's free! Modest system demands, fully functional, professional, regular updates. Looks sweet. Disadvantages: No script blocking or scheduled scans.
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My introduction to Avast came about a few months after the 90 day trial of Norton Antivirus 04 (on a machine purchased in '05) expired on my mum's laptop. I thought about it for a little and figured it wasn't necessary to extend the subscription as her needs online and on the computer in general are a good deal briefer and limited than mine (my desktop has 6 months of Norton Antivirus 2005 ticking down...), and with a hardware firewall in ... ...And then I read about Avast Antivirus - which is free! The free part was of course what got my attention.
Naturally I thought it would be a bit of naff software, the whole 'you get what you pay for' deal, but the review I read made me investigate the Alwil site (check: for professional looks) and suss out the views of users, which turned out to be overwhelmingly in favour!
Avast isn't the only free antivirus program (there's AVG, AntiVir ... more
Ever since the Internet took off it took more than binning a stray floppy disk to keep your computer free from viruses. And so the coffers of antivirus software companies began to swell.
Symantec and McAfee reign supreme on the antivirus (and security software in general) market but not everyone is willing to shell out for their products, even with reasonable prices to ensure piece of mind. And then there's others who are indifferent as they've never had a virus and don't think they'll get one.
To my knowledge I've never had a computer virus, but just like our bodies, prevention's better than a cure! And when Czech co. Alwil is offering a NHS for our computers why not take advantage of it?
My introduction to Avast came about a few months after the 90 day trial of Norton Antivirus 04 (on a machine purchased in '05) expired on my mum's laptop. I thought about it for a little and figured it wasn't necessary to extend the subscription as her needs online and on the computer in general are a good deal briefer and limited than mine (my desktop has 6 months of Norton Antivirus 2005 ticking down...), and with a hardware firewall in our router it was protection enough on her end.
In the interim time the laptop kept Norton, minus the ability to update or install new definitions, not really serving full purpose. And then I read about Avast Antivirus - which is free! The free part was of course what got my attention. Naturally I thought it would be a bit of naff software, the whole 'you get what you pay for' deal, but the review I read made me investigate the Alwil site (check: for professional looks) and suss out the views of users, which turned out to be overwhelmingly in favour! Avast isn't the only free antivirus program (there's AVG, AntiVir and Bit Defender Free) but from a general consensus it seems to be the Symanetec/Norton of the freeware realm. I bit the dust, deleted Norton from the laptop and proceeded to put Avast Home 4 (the only version free for uncommercial use) on - with a bit of nervousness.
I needn't have worried. After a week's running of Avast I'm truly impressed with it! We mightn't yet have come across any virus (even my Norton encountered less than a handful in years of use...) but it is remarkably assuring in that it at least updates it's virus database everyday (via friendly voice + helpful dialogue box) and integrates with Windows XP's (though Alwil caters for Windows 95 plus demands very little resources in general) Security Center. It doesn't need much intervention as it's a program that's able to update itself - with permission - so you don't have to fiddle much. But there's a number of dialogue boxes within the program that can configure the many aspects of the program, once you've familiarised yourself.
Protection (which can be toggled on/off for each service, i.e. Email, p2p) covers all bases, and has a certification by ICSA. Problems are not only found but they can also be actioned - although there is statement that this largely applies to the most popular virus risks, but what is unpopular is unknown. The program also is able to take a snapshot of the structure of your hard drive(s) so repairs are very likely still even if file(s) have been corrupted or destroyed. This is done via VRDB (Virus Recovery Database)
Unlike Norton, Avast is rather speedy. The general boot up time for the laptop's (a 1.35 Celeron M) up by 50% (you can also have a pre-boot scan, that is before Windows loads) and the standard scan function is quite speedy (though the 'thorough' setting I'm informed is slow). The program's nice too on the eye; the skin-able interface may seem like a gimmick but I can't notice any sluggishness with it enabled. Being free however, there are limitations. But these could be overlooked. Firstly there's no blocking of website scripts that may cause suspect behaviour on rogue sites, and scans have to be initiated by manual means, there's no auto-scheduling. Also despite being free you have to register for 14 month keys (you can reapply after that period) to bring it out of 60 day demo mode. Registration requires a few basic personal details, and is the least you can 'pay' for such a thing. None one reports that they have received spam. It seems the Home edition is free as Alwil generates enough income from corporate clients, and so they neither cut home/non-commercial users out of tech support. Not that I've had to use them yet! As well as having the ideology that prevention's better than the cure, this benefits Alwil (in case the time comes when it's feasible to charge) in that those who won't pay for software will at least try to go for theirs, and well you know word of mouth is stronger than the pound.
Despite not being a security suite (look elsewhere for anti-spam, anti-spyware tools etc.) it does the root job for the essential internet nasties, and it appears to put Norton/McAfee to shame as there has been users of both who were able to find and deal with viruses that neither of those could - without even having to slow down the computer! Some Avast lovers have eventually bought the pay version too!
Avast Home seems to be what OpenOffice.org is to Microsoft Office, as Linux is to Windows. The same, if not better quality for...nothing. Come renewal time for Norton Antivirus on my desktop I really don't think I'll be paying. It seems wholly wrong; If I fail to recommend Avast then I'd probably recommend companies like Steganos and Panda who are challenging the big guys at their game too with at least even better prices - and for a whole suite of protection tools.
But seriously, Avast Home is a free piece of professional, functional and very high quality software. If you don't have any antivirus protection on your computer; get this. Even Linux users will soon be able to partake of this protection. Truly wonderful!
Advantages: Has a screenaver that scans when activated. Disadvantages: No built in Firewall.
...heuristics. The heuristic system of Avast is the best in the business - far better than Norton or Mcafee. Automatic daily updates. There is no doubt this antivirus is right up there with Norton and Mcaffe, But what makes it all the more appealing is that it is free of cost for home users. Hats off to its developers and Management.
Bad Points
Does not have any integrated firewall. But if you have a good firewall like Zone Alarm it is excellent. ... ...combination. Avast home edition takes more time to scan vob, mpg, mp3, avi files than Norton or Mcafee. Other files take the same time like Norton antivirus. But since it is free and extremely good it is okay. I do not know about the professional edition.
General Comments
I was using Norton antivirus 2004 around 1.5 years back. Then I switched to Avast. I have been using Avast for more than 1 year now and there has been no problem. During the last ...
daveylee20 20.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Avast - Anti-virus
Advantages: Wide range of functins, 99% detection rate, p2p shield, webscanner, password protection Disadvantages: None
...free version (Home Edition) of Avast antivirus software and decided to give it a go. Therefore this review is based upon my experience of the free version, which is upgradable.
Prior to discovering Avast, the only antivirus software I knew that I could use for free was AVG, though I've had bad experiences with it in the past and according to reports which I've recently read AVG only has a detection rate of approximately 85%. According to the same ... ...The user interface of Avast is a little awkward at first, strongly resembling a car stereo, which is a little confusing as it looks more like some form of Media Player, though once you get used to it, it kind of grows on you. Avast is a highly configurable internet security facility and for a program which is free for home use, it is more than sufficient at doing it's job.
Impressively, Avast has a wide range of security functions including password ...
sparksteroyd 22.10.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Avast - Anti-virus
Advantages: Great software, advanced features, constant heuristic security, email virus detection, and lots more Disadvantages: None
...fight it, not even Norton!!! Avast was downloaded and Bingo! It got rid of it! Amazingly simple to use and one of my favourite features of it, is it doesn't tell you that you have a virus once you are already infected!!! It lets you know, what it thinks to be a virus is trying to get in and it postpones it until you tell it to either allow, delete, or move to chest! If it is a website that is trying to infect you it gives the option to"abort connection" ... ...it was reccommended to me buy my next door neighbour, who is a computer programmer! Also, it doesn't need any other programmes to back it up, so you can leave "Norton Anti-Virus, And "Aol Spyware Detector" to fight outside! There is a new program on the block and it is a million times better! And its free! (Regular Updates Also) ...
lallofrall 25.08.2008
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Review of Avast - Anti-virus
Advantages: Excellent Virus and other protection Disadvantages: can slow the computer at times
I came across Avast a few months ago. We were using another well known Free Anti-virus download and had been perfectly happy until we did a scan one day and had 3 Back door Trojan Horses. We could not get rid of them at all, so I went on a hunt and found Avast Free Download. Once installed, it scanned our computer thoroughly and found malaware and the dreaded 'worm'. When I attempted to remove them Avast stepped up to the mark. I was nearly bald ... ...our computer was cured. Avast runs 7 processes when the computer is on and it has many features (none of which I have really explored) but I am not very technically minded and so just let it get on with it's job. It alerts you if it detects a virus when you are on-line and gives a warning siren a little bit like an air raid sound and tells you what the problem is. It then gives you the option of disposing of the virus there and then and will close ...
barberanna72 03.08.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Avast - Anti-virus
...the came along Avast.
Avast is a trully outstanding piece of software, how can you get better value for money when it is for nothing? Avast is a fairly comprehensive anti-virus program, one I admit I had never heard of before. It offers daily updates for free, as well as running 7 constant scanners called on access protection. These scanners block virus entering you computer through email, Http (the internet), port attacks, tcp attacks....the list ... ...of the best things about avast is the fact that it is not very system draining, I have never for instance had problems running this in the background whilst playing a game.
So I would recommend downloading avast to anybody looking for an antivirus, if you like the free version then there is a professional version which I am sure willl have lots of added features and be worth the extra money. But as for us students free is always the best price! ...
Phil_Ransley 21.01.2006 (22.01.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Avast - Anti-virus
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I have been using a different very popular AntiVirus that was purchased 9 months ago up to now.
The reason is that I came across the Avast site just by chance, and the company feels that the only way to cut down on computer viruses is to provide the software free of charge for the home user. So I downloaded the software run it along side my other antivirus. Avast detected a Trojan Virus in a download which the other did not. Just to see that it was not a hoax I did an online scan with a 3rd Virus Package and the virus was found.
Avast has really helped me out as I cannot afford virus software at present and is available to anyone. Avast also supply a licence that needs entering and the software is Valid for 14 months at which time you just re-register free again.
There should be more companies like this, giving back to the community ...
caesar1 08.03.2004 (10.03.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Avast!4
Advantages: Gets the job done, Simple to use, Simple interface Disadvantages: Slow download time, Slow update time
Fortunately, AVG is free, it is simple to use and no doubt effective! This was my primary choice of Anti-Virus software until i stumbled upon Avast-Antivirus! In comparison, AVG's updates and downloads were slower, you can not pause them and generally, its heuristic sensitivity is no match for Avast! However, if no other Anti-Virus is available or an option to you (for any reason) this software would do the trick! AVG boasts a simple user interface with the basic options of "Start Scan" "Settings" "Options" etc, all the things you would expect in a virus scanner! However my biggest pet hate with this program, is that upon computer startup, you get a grey task screen pop up, telling you that it is downloading an update, you have no control over this whatsoever! However, for a free anti-virus tool, it's not bad! It gets the job done ...
lallofrall 25.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of AVG Anti-virus
Advantages: Its good as pay for software but it's free!! Disadvantages: None
I came across Avast when searching for a replacement for my previous free anti-virus product. That one wouldn't let me network my home computers using the free edition. With Avast you get full unlimited functionality, guaranteed protection testing and unlimited updates and all it costs is the time to download! The company provide the software free to home users in the belief that prevention of viruses is better than cure, so if they can slow down virus problems amongst commmercial organisations by giving software away to home users then that actually helps them. The software is much less invasive than certain other pay-for products and doesn't cause any noticeable slow down in system performance. It is fuly integrated into e-mail services and has stopped many nasty viruses and worms executing on my computers. Finally please give this ...
ravillou 08.04.2004 (12.04.2004)
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