CNET Editors' review
This impressive software provides the same steadfast protection of well-known antivirus programs, yet it's surprisingly free.
Avast Home Edition guards your PC and the network with multiple shields that scan executables and files. You can select parameters for scanning, and even choose wildcards to exclude specific file types. You can adjust the sensitivity level for the program's detectors when it comes to scanning downloaded files, instant messages, e-mails, and a host of P2Ps. Its efficient interface opens up window after window to tweak its settings to your liking, for novice to advanced level protection.
Though it took quite some time to run, we're impressed with this application's boot-time antivirus scan. Fortunately, if you're in a pinch you can bypass it. If malicious contents are detected, Avast comes to the rescue with handy virus cleanup tools. Some decent PC controls are even handed out here. You can block certain URLs and file operations, such as writing to files or even renaming, deleting or formatting them.
With immediate real-time protection, clockwork updates, and much more, this free software is highly regarded in our book.
Watch the CNET video review of Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus:
Publisher's Description
From AVAST Software:
Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus is a complete ICSA & Checkmark certified antivirus, Checkmark certified anti-spyware & anti-rootkit package. Avast includes the following components: On demand scanner with skinnable simple interface, just select what do you want to scan in which way and press the Play button; On access scanner, special providers to protect the most of available e-mail clients; Instant messaging--ICQ, Miranda; Network traffic--intrusion detection, lightweight firewall; P2P protection for Kazaa, BitTorrent; Web shield--monitors and filters all HTTP traffic; NNTP scanner--scans all Usenet Newsgroup traffic and all operations with files on PC; Boot time scanner--scans disks in the same way and in the same time as Windows CHKDSK does.
What's new in this version: Version 4.8.1356 has solved a memory leak in the GZIP unpacker and solved vulnerabilities in AavmKer4.sys, aswMon2.sys and ashWsFtr.dll.
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All versions:
4.6 starsout of 22,716 votes
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Current version:
4.5 starsout of 464 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"AWESOME!!!"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
User Friendly!! Updates daily! Lightweight (doesn't hog resources).
Cons
I've found nothing wrong with this program.
Summary
I've been using Avast for about a year. Never been infected with a virus (and I spend a LOT of time online and downloading software, music, videos and eBooks).
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"good to use"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
automatic scan during copy
Cons
slow scanning
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"Excellent and, so far trouble free."
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
Easy to install.
Cons
No cons so far.
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"I only trust Avast! No One Else!"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
Great protection for being free. Being free it is hard to believe they give you protection that compares to the paid versions such as norton etc. I've been using this for awhile and it has done a great job in providing me protection.
Cons
I love this program and has done a great job with no problems what soever.
Summary
I have tried many other free products such as avira, comodo anti-virus etc and always go back to Avast!. It has always stood by me and protected my system from infections and I wouldn't give this up for anything else. With Avast!, Comodo Firewall, Malwarebyte's Pro, Superantispyware Pro and WinPatrol Plus you will have the best protection you can get. With all this you won't have to worry about renewals for Norton or any other paid product. Great price for the economy at this time.
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"efficient and dependable protection 24/7"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
comprehensive and dependable protection
Cons
none, so far
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"Excellent software"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
Perfectly simple, 100% effective.
Cons
What's not to like?
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"Avast: The best free antivirus I've used"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
1. Security. 2. Stability. 3. Flexibility. 4. Automatic update
Cons
Does not offer automatic ignore the repetition of the same file referred as infected.
Summary
As a computerholic I am managing a lot of software to many computers (belonging to more than 5 persons) for more than 20 years. In the time I was trying for months to clear a heavy infected laptop with reader_s.exe (thousands of virut virus infectioned files), I cleaned up with the aid of 2 utilities. After that I installed Avast free edition to all our computers and for months now I feel safe!
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"Great Anti-Virus"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
Very nice anti-virus with lots of nice features. One of the best I've used!
Cons
I Found the interface very confusing, but i managed to get used to it!
Summary
If you can get used to the interface this will be the perfect anti-virus for you! =)
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"A silent hero behind the battle line."
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
Never thought a free product could protect me for two and a half years without my knowing.
Cons
Got nothing negative to say on AVAST Anti-Virus on this matter.
Summary
What can you say to a free product that delivers 100% protection from Virus for almost three years I used it when saying: 'It's great,' is an understament..
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"It works and updates and has saved me twice"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356
Pros
It is Free and it works .
Cons
Being it is free i will not complain about speed of scan
Summary
it works better then other free offers and you can merge the icons into 1 . User interface could be made easier but if you wanted easier you should have bought a apple .
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