Every Friday, I'll review a free or demo version of a software title. If you would like to see a reviewed software title here, use the Contact Us link above to submit your suggestion. Each software Review will include location to obtain the software, A brief overview of what it is and how it works, and then my rating of the software and it's functionality. Currently, It'll be only in Blog format, but it might someday graduate to Vlog format via YouTube.
ON TO THE REVIEWS:
Avast Antivirus |
| Posted by The Masked Crusader (cschalk) on May 14 2010 |
| Free Software Friday >> Utilities |
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Program: | Avast Antivirus |
| Company: | Avast! | |
| Website: | www.avast.com | |
| Price: | Free for home use or $40 / $60 | |
| FSF Rating: |
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This week, we take a look at, in my opinion, is the best antivirus program out there: Avast! Anti Virus. For years, I have used both McAfee and Norton solutions for Internet Security... that was until I discovered Avast!
What Is It
Avast is a full featured Anti Virus program that is free for Home use. The free version is all you should need, with two considerations. Avast! provides full time virus and spyware protection for your computer, but the free version does NOT include a firewall. The full suite does though. So, if you have a good firewall (either a good router or even windows firewall) you should be pretty good. The second consideration is your personal web habits. If you ever enter personal identifiable information on a website, you must be sure that the web site is running securely. Be sure to check for https:// (note the "s") in the address before entering bank account, credit card or username/password information. If it's just http:// (sans the "s"), the connection is not secure and your information is not protected. That being said, Let's look at Avast's features
Features
Avast Free Antivirus comparison chart is available here. According to the chart, the Free version provides continuous protection against Virus, Spyware including email protection. In reality, it scans all web traffic for viruses or Spyware. When it determines a website is infected with viruses, it pops up a warning, and shuts off the pipe. The website stops loading immediately and your computer is protected! It's very cool. The Professional version ($40) includes a web sandbox where you can continue surfing sites or running software that Avast! has flagged without fear of infecting your computer. That's cool and all, but if the site is infected, you probably don't want to be there in the first place.
What it does well
The application updates it's definition file daily. The pro and full version claim that they have faster updates, but the free version running on my computer updates as soon as it sees a web connection. When I connect to the public internet at the University or the Library, Avast automatically checks for updates and usually finds one to download.
The suite continuously scans your computer for changes that could be hazardous. If you try to install a spyware program, it's blocked. If you hit a site that is infected, it's blocked. If your friend sends you a file in an IM chat, it scans it for infections - and if found, it blocks. It's a wonderful piece of software.
It scans your email, your web traffic, your IM, your P2P software. It protects file transfers from computers on your own network. The free version is all encompassing and completely adequate for every day users.
What it doesn't do well
For the most part, the added features in the Professional and Full suites really aren't too impressive, except for the Silent Firewall that is included in the full suite. I understand that it's a selling point for the full version, but it'd be nice to include it in the free version. The other features in the paid versions I can do without.
The Sandbox idea (included in Professional) is cool. It lets you continue on a website that has been flagged as infected without fear of infecting your computer. There have been times searching for information for school assignments that I'd hit a site that was a little off the beaten path and regular free Avast wouldn't let me view it because it was dangerous. With the sandbox, you'd be able to get the data for your term paper form the lesser know websites without fear of garbage infecting your computer.
Also, the one shield that is not included in the free version is the Script shield, which is included with the Professional. This is an important shield because scripts on websites and in applications can do a lot of damage even though they may not seem like it. Most people use JavaScript on websites to auto format information or to retrieve information from the site without having to reload the web page. But it must be mentioned that those scripts are actual code that can be executed, and programmed correctly can cause significant damage to your computer. It might be wise to upgrade for the Script Shield if you are concerned about that.
Final Thoughts and Rating
All in all, the Free version does everything I need it to and at a wonderful cost. I did mark the software down because some features that are included in the pay versions could be included in the free version, making it a that much better. After all, most anti virus software companies - and most software houses in general - make the bulk of their money from professional enterprise entities, and not the onesie-twosie home users. Don't let this deter you from checking out the free version. It does require a quick registration from within the application, and the registration only lasts one year. This is to ensure you always download the latest and greatest version, keeping your computer always up to snuff. This Great software is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Last changed: May 13 2010 at 11:00 PM
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