- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista/7/NT
- Date added: May 26, 2009
- Total Downloads: 50,118,845
- Downloads last week: 659,833
- See full specifications
A newer version of Avast Home Edition Free is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 12153 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on September 23, 2008
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:
Publisher's description
From Alwil Software :Avast Home Edition 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.
CNET Editor's Note: The program requires free registration on developer's Web site.
What's new in this version:
Version 4.8.1335.90414 features: Uni brings improvements in the malware and rootkit scanners and an enhanced setup experience.
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User reviews of Avast Home Edition Free 4.8.1335.90414
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 12153 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 225 user reviewsSee all 225 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Avast Home Edition Free 4.8.1335.90414
"Doesn't bug you with useless crap"
Pros: automatic updates, It scans fast.
Thia program keeps updated and is valuable for thoughs with no money and a need for a good anti-vires. I recomend it to all the people i do computer work for.Cons: I don't think their is much negative characteristcs about this program.
Summary: I don't think their is much negative characteristcs about this program.
I don't think their is much negative characteristcs about this program.
Updated on Sep 21, 2009 -
Version: Avast Home Edition Free 4.8.1335.90414
"AVAST SKINS! and you thought there were only 2"
Pros: Heaps of Skins!!
Cons: Absolutely none, nada, zip
Summary: There's been a bit of talk about the boring Avast skins in some reviews. Well go to their website at www.avast.com and choose from about 40 different skins from 'downloads' or download the lot and they will automatically store into the interface:)
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Version: Avast Home Edition Free 4.8.1335.90414
"Fantastic well built and can keep you safe."
Pros: Thia program keeps updated and is valuable for thoughs with no money and a need for a good anti-vires. I recomend it to all the people i do computer work for.
Cons: I hate when the pro version runs out and wont leave you alone to buy a new licence. Every ten minuts it's telling you.
Summary: Get this it will make you happy. If you have nortan or macafee ditch them and get this you will fall in love.
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Version: Avast Home Edition Free 4.8.1335.90414
Pros: It scans fast.
Cons: I don't think their is much negative characteristcs about this program.
Summary: It's a great program!
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Version: Avast Home Edition Free 4.8.1335.90414
Pros: Just flat works
Cons: None, the update audible is a little intrusive
Summary: Doesn't bug you with useless crap, the pay antiviruses could learn something here
- See all 225 user reviews Write review
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