CNET Editors' note: Avast Antivirus Home Edition is free to use but requires e-mail registration before the end of the initial 60-day trial period. Following the registration you will receive by e-mail a license key valid for a period of 1 year.
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, certified anti-spyware and anti-rootkit package. Avast includes the following components: an on-demand scanner with skinnable simple interface; an on-access scanner with special providers to protect most commonly available e-mail clients; instant-messaging intrusion detection with a lightweight firewall; P2P protection; a Web shield that monitors and filters all HTTP traffic; an NNTP scanner that scans all Usenet Newsgroup traffic and all operations with files on PC; and a boot-time scanner that scans disks in the same way and in the same time as the Windows Chkdsk application does.
What's new in this version: Version 4.8.1367 includes improvements in the malware URL blockers and solved a vulnerability in aswRdr.sys.
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All versions:
4.6 starsout of 22,716 votes
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Current version:
4.5 starsout of 439 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Easy to download and takes little time"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
Like how it's been changed to using only one ball instead of 2 different balls that I think one was a acerelator which you had an option to combine the 2. The new upgraded version is 100% better.
Cons
Web rater I don't like it I think Avast should have something to tell you if it's a real site or a fake one like AVG offers. I would rather use all Avast.
Summary
I choose Avast out of any other anti-virus software out there. It's easy to read and operate all the different functions, takes little time to download,
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"2222222222"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
3333333333
Cons
4444444444
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"best anti virus"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
easy to understand and install
Cons
everything is good
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"im very like it"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
im very like it
Cons
im very like it
Summary
i like it becaouse it is exslant
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"Customer Service--Descent into Lowest of Hell Realms"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
When working does the job.
Cons
When stops working only indicator is small x over icon in toolbar.
Conflicts with some programs
Slows systemSummary
Has stopped working on me twice in seven months.
I had paid for mine---
Customer service is only accessible through email. Each time support took three days for initial response. They don't read through email and responded incorrectly to the problem. This last problem I am on day five without Avast working. Each response takes 24 hours for them to respond.
There instructions to remove software somehow effected Windows 7 and I had to reinstall and now W7 and dig up discs with key.
Not sure why I'm sticking this out, Stockholm Syndrome?
Updated on Sep 2, 2010 -
"An excellent product. Very user friendly."
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
I am delighted with voice database updates.
Cons
I think it's a great product.
Summary
Excellent product.
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"In the short time I've had Avast it's been just great."
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
It's been doing everything its required to do.
Cons
I have no dislikes about it so far.
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"so far so good, no problems."
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
mateince free
Cons
cant think of one.
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"The product is good"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
I have used other free anti virus sofware such as AVG , Avira,Comodor.But I have realised that Avast is the best.It consumes less memory space compaired to other software
Cons
Everything all right
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"goed the best"
Version: Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368
Pros
ik heb nog nooit zo'n goed en simpel mee te werken progamma gehad, als dat van Avast Home Edition.......echt , ik ben zeer tevreden
Cons
sorry voor jullie , maar ik kan echt niks bedenken , had een keer een trojaans paard, maar daar was Avast mijn progamma met een stem , geweldig , bedankt
Summary
ik zou zeggen , lees u a.u.b. wat ik hier boven heb geschreven, ik hoop dat ik u naar alle tevredenheid heb kunnen informeren
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