Manage updates with the Download AppCNET 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.
Avast 8 fixes browsers, out-of-date apps:Publisher's Description
From AVAST 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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All versions:
4.5 starsout of 24,232 votes
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Current version:
4.6 starsout of 393 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"free version with features others dont have"
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
antiroot kit and antispyware which free AVG do not provide. excelent x64 support.
Cons
none......
Summary
just check the website and see all the features and compare
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"excellent virus detector and killer"
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
easy to use
Cons
expires too quickly
Summary
I've been using avast for a few years now and am very satisfied with the product.
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"Great! It finds a lot of stuff."
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
Everything. It found everything.
Cons
Nothing except I would like the full feature but cannot afford it.
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"Avast! is easy to use!!!!!"
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
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"Excellent"
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
I like everything.
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"Pleasantly Surprised!!"
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
After being very wary about trying this antivirus I have been relieved to find how easy it is to use. Love all the features.
After years with AVG but having it mess up my system so that email wouldn't work after the recent update I started to look around for another to use instead.
So pleased I found Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
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"This is EXCELLENT"
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
For a really tough infection the program runs a pre-windows load search and eliminate test. It did a fantastic job eliminating a really embedded Trojan in my system that the full price software could not remove.
Cons
It is difficult to figure out how to use and update. (Once it is running it is easy)
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"Yeah, it's ok"
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
Yeah it does a lot of things, but I felt I my pc it did a lot of things just OK.
Cons
Nothing to brag about. Prefer AVG, and SuperAnti-Spyware. Quicker, a bit more thorough I felt and better response time.
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"Excellent."
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
I highly recommend it and agree with the editors review. It is an excellent antivirus software. I like it better than AVG. Found AVG to be a hassle. Won't say it's bad but I didn't like it. Avast is the one!
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"Best one yet"
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros
Nothing I don't like suits me down to the ground simple to use
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