- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista/NT
- Date added: March 30, 2008
- Total Downloads: 37,065,053
- Downloads last week: 447,605
- See full specifications
A newer version of Avast Home Edition is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 12108 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
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:
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 filter 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.
Version 4.8.1169 adds improvements to the antirootkit engine.
What's new in this version:
Version 4.8.1169 includes strong self-protection, to prevent malware from turning avast protection off.
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User reviews of Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 12108 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 352 user reviewsSee all 352 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
13 out of 19 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros: And people recommended me to use AVG antivirus? I can't believe this program comes with so many features in such a small, easy to use interface. Not only does it scan for viruses now, but it also includes anti-rootkit protection, antispyware, and even less memory usage! I love this antivirus, it has so many easy to use features that can save you from viruses and allow you to safely browse the web. It is so non-intrusive and good for anyone who wants a working FREE antivirus! Worth more than the free price!
Cons: None so far. I'd love to see a firewall, but I can't complain, this program could take a while to make, and since it is free, I'm satisfied.
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7 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros: I have used Avast!Home Edition for nearly three years. I have never had any problems. Avast is very stable and does not give you false positives (unlike BitDefender). If you do not want problems with viruses and not either with the antivirus software, Avast is the ideal. Now it includes anti spyware and anti rootkit!! This for free!! Nice skins to choose from!!
Bjorn Lundahl
Gothenburg, Sweden
Cons: The scans are a bit slow!
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5 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros: It's a very good Free anti virus program. I was using AVG which is another good Free antivirus program. Avast caught some trogons and rootkits that AVG did not get. Well worth the download.
Cons: Not to sure how to use the valt, even after consulting the help files. ex: which files are safe to delete, and which files you should Not delete.
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12 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros: I have used this antivirus for 3 years and since then, I was very pleased with what it does, and I prefer this over AVG, and now this whole program got better with the added in anti-spyware database. This is just excellent. Highly recommended.
Cons: NONE!
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7 out of 13 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros: Has to be better that the new crippling AVG Free 8.0. However, the other reviewers are misleading you, as "Avast never has and still DOES NOT include antispyware scans. These fools are just misleading people. Take a look at the CNET Video - No mention of new antispyware feature.
Cons: Great, if certain reviewers knew what they were talking about, as it DOES NOT HAVE A NEW ANTISPYWARE feature.
- See all 352 user reviews Write review
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