Avast Free Antivirus Review

Avast Antivirus

Top antivirus – blocks spyware, adware, ransomware, etc.

Real-time – protection & updates

Light and fast – doesn’t slow down your PC

Website – https://www.avast.com

Avast Antivirus is an internet security application designed by Avast to provide protection against malware software such as Trojan horses, worms, viruses, spyware and prevents from the attacks of ransomware software. The Avast is dedicated to creating a world that provides safety and privacy irrespective of their location of the user, who you are and, how do you connect to the digital world. They provide next-gen technologies to deal with emerging cyber threats and cloud-based learning machine that receives data from millions of their users which facilitates their artificial intelligence smarter and faster than anyone else. The dedicated and keen researchers and security engineers work on their policies to provide maximum benefits to their user.

Avast Antivirus Introduction

It is designed by Avast to provide internet security to their user against malware software that disrupts the normal operation of the system. It is available in 45 languages and operates on Microsoft Windows, MacOs, Android, and IOS. It is the world’s largest security network that starts protecting the digital life of its users. It won the prestigious 2018 Product of the Year award. Its advanced features provide a greater amount of security to its user so that they can work without any disturbance. It recent released is on 21 May 2019. It provides powerful security making the digital world of the user easy.

Avast Antivirus versions

There are various version designed by Avast from its release till present which are:

1. 2015.10.2.2214: it is compatible with Windows 10 and changes the set-up flow of better license activation.
2. 2015.10.2.2215: it fixed incompatibility with Windows Live mail connection and fixed BCU problems.
3. 2015.10.2.2218: it starts faster after reboot and added the option of Skype during Avast installation.
4. 2015.10.3.2223: it improves Window 10 compatibility and checks compatibility issues with other antivirus software.
5. 2015.10.3.2225: it adds more feature to an above-mentioned version with bug fixings.
6. 2015.10.4.2233: it provides better server selection line in Secureline and fixed the issues of cleanup.
7. 2016.11.1.2241: it generates passwords for its users and replaces Safezone with Safezone browser for better result. It blocks ads and provides shielded Windows.
8. 2016.11.1.2245: it adds the option of removing e-mail signatures to settings and added more icons to scan the malware software.
9. 2016.11.1.2253:  it fixes issues with non-working firewall and automatically turns off e-mail signatures.
10. 2016.11.1.2260: the safe browser option is added to the free version also makes computer start-up faster.
11. 2016.11.1.2262: it fixes crashing installation and critical crashes on ADM processor.
12. 12.1.2272: it faster the boot time and provides regular monthly program updates.
13. 12.3.2279: it provides passive mode and fixes all the passwords reuse in the passwords list.
14. 17.7.2314: the new webcam shield stops hackers from stealing information about the user and virus chest redesigned for easier access.
15. 17.8.2314: it fixes issues with deleting firewall rules during a system update, deals with the issues of passive mode and added support for the custom folder in Ransomware shield.
16. 17.9.2322:  this is the latest version developed in 2017 which provides exclusive features as compared to above version developed in the same time period. The user can send the bugs and feedback from setting. It redesigned the scans and shield screen in the protection menu for easier navigation.
17. 18.5.2342: it alerts notification and restores a file from Virus chest to any location by clicking ‘Restore as’.
18. 18.6.2349: Do not disturb mode replaces game mode and add supports to non-games applications and automatically redirects to search page if the domain isn’t found.
19. 18.7.2354: this is the new version of Avast developed in 2018 and contains exclusive features as compared to other versions developed in 2018 such as passwords can now synchronise better and the smart scan shows the result of completed scans if it is stopped by the user before it finishes.
20. 19.3.2369: the SecureLine VPN is no longer attached to the anti-virus as it is completely a separate product.
21. 19.4.2374: the HTPP scanning works with the latest version of the Firefox and it fixes that Avlaunch won’t show up twice in the startup menu.
22. 19.5.4444: this is the latest version developed by Avast that provides essential security which the user needs to protect PC from hackers and Network Scanner that helps to scans,networks for any issues. The browser Cleanup helps to avoid annoying plugins and with the help of Smart scan the user can scan the entire device.

Devices supported by Avast

Avast antivirus is available for all the devices.

Microsoft Windows products:

Avast Antivirus Free: It avails the services which are free of cost such as CyberCapture, Smart Scan, Wi-Fi inspector, generates passwords, Behavior shield and Browser Cleanup.

Avast Internet Security: It costs Rs 1399 /year provides more services when compared with free versions such as Sandbox, passive mode, Real site, Ransomware Shield, Firewall and Anti-spam to improves the efficiency of the Windows.

Avast Antivirus Premium: It costs 1799/year and generates exclusive feature so that user can work without any disturbances such as Webcam Shield, Automatic software update and Data Shredder.

Avast Ultimate: It includes all the features of Avast premium and includes the inclusive features such as Cleanup Premium, Secureline VPN and Password Premium.

SecureLine VPN Multi-device: It costs Rs 3,999/ year that check everything it receives and sends.

Passwords: It generates passwords at Rs 999/year to keep all the accounts protected.

Security Browser: It blocks the annoying advertisement to speed up browsing and secures the personal information of the users.

Cleanup Premium: It removes the junk files and solves issues for PC.

Driver updater: Get the device working by keeping the drivers automatically updated.

AntiTrack: It provides information to the user regarding who is tracking them.

Mac:

 Avast Internet Security Free: It provides features such as Scheduled Scans, File Shield, Web Shield, Mail Shield and Home Network Scan for normal working of the system.

Avast Premium Security: It costs Rs 2,999/ year includes all the features of free version along with Wi-Fi inspector and Ransomware Shield.

Cleanup Pro: It scans Mac by removing junk files and providing space with just a few clicks.

SecureLine VPN Multi-device: It encrypts everything that user sends and receives.

Android:

Avast mobile security: It secures mobile banking, shopping and emailing attachments.

SecureLine VPN: Checks the internet connection to provide complete privacy to the user.

Password: It secures all the accounts for users by generating  a password to their account.

Cleanup: Removes disposable files and provides space to its users.

IOS

SecureLine VPN: Provides complete security to its user by checking data.

Passwords: Protect all the accounts with one master password to secure all the information of the user.

Devices supported by AVast Free Antivirus –

Avast Antivirus Protection

This lightweight and intuitive antivirus provides protection against all cyber threats. The double-layered shield provides double protection to the system and devices such as Webcam Shield that protects the in-built camera with hidden spies and Ransomware Shield that ensures that file can’t be sent without the authority of its user. This antivirus provides several options to their users according to their need such as basic, advanced and complete on which the protection of the device depends.

Avast antivirus performance

Avast has designed Avast Cleanup Premium to solve the issues of space and disk speed which become central issues for, most particularly for PC and laptops. It has been tried on both Desktops PC [2008] and Gaming PC [2012] and the results are:

A] Faster startup times: The cleanup Premium has boosted the efficiency of machines startup times. For instance, the Desktop PC with the help of Cleanup Premium option starts quickly as compared to before by 53% and Gaming PC who starts by 62% with this option.

B] Faster Office and multimedia performance: The cleanup Premium helps our PC to works faster with office spreadsheets, slides etc. The Desktop PC works 51% faster and gaming PC works by 25%.

C] Gaming: Games are the sensitive application of the users and this Cleanup premium option boosts the speed of the games by 9%

D] Cleaning: The cleanup Premium catches all the temporary files and catches and cleans them faster by providing space to its users.

Avast security and privacy features

Avast antivirus provides different types of security depending upon its products

• For Windows: Avast antivirus provides Internet Security as the smartest online protection to PC. This security also provides privacy protection to its users. Internet Security has following features such as it walls off the private files and photos so that they can’t be encrypted and also held hostages. It avoids fake websites and also generates passwords for its users. It stops the phishing e-mails. The firewall is a strong gatekeeper which needs to be protected from hackers. It offers layers of protection to keep its device safe and smooth running of it.
• For Android: Avast antivirus offers Mobile Security to secure the devices against malware software and to protect photos and application of the devices. It protects the privacy of the user by blocking spam and unwanted calls and securing the photos, emails, and other applications by generating passwords. It performs regular scans to detect threats and vulnerabilities and also detect malicious application before users install them. It secures the data and tracks the device’s location and enhances the performance of the device.
• E-Mail Security: It ensures incoming and outgoing email communication is secured. It blocks threats and easily adopts the email security service with no long term contracts or commitments. It achieved communication for improved productivity. Hence these securities offer privacy for the user while operating their system.

Avast Performance and Security

The Avast antivirus offers several features that help the user in many ways while operating their system:

• It improves the system startup time.
• It improves the performances of the system by postponing the background updates.
• Disables the background scans and pop-ups and software updates.
• Disable the Mail Shield and Remote assistance unless the user needs them.

Avast Antivirus Interface

After installing Avast antivirus software, to access the features of avast antivirus the manual antivirus scans, virus chest or setting opens the user interface that helps the user how to operate such antivirus on their system. For any type of additional help, the user can contact them whenever they required them.

Avast installation and support

The Avast free antivirus offers technical support to its user. In order to gain more benefits, the user can purchase the PRO version or paid version of the antivirus. Installing Avast internet security by following these steps:

• Log into Windows as a user with administrator permissions and ensure no other application or antivirus software is running on your PC.
• Click the button below to download the Avast Internet Security setup file, and save it in a familiar location on your PC (by default, downloaded files are saved to your Downloads folder).
• Right-click the downloaded setup files and selects Run as administrator from the context menu.
• If prompted by the User Account Control dialog for permissions, click Yes (or Continue on older versions of Window]
• To change the default setup language, click the current language at the top-right corner of the screen. Then click Install to proceed with default installation and wait while it install on the computer system.
• Click Continue on the screen below the message You are protected.
• Review the Avast Privacy Policy and click Continue
•  If prompted to protect your mobile device, use the relevant options according to your preference, or click the X icon to close the screen.
• When a network is detected, use the slider to select a Firewall mode:
• Private Network: if you trust the network (for example, your home network]
• Public Network: if the network is publicly shared (for example, the network at a cafe or airport).
• The installation process is complete on your device.