- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98
- Date added: Date unavailable
- 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 11689 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 adds improvements to the antirootkit engine.
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User reviews of Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 11689 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 4 of 4 user reviewsSee all 4 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
"Great product, easy to use and very effective"
Pros: This product works. I have used it for several years on various computers and have never gotten a virus. It automatically updates very often and has seven different resident scanners monitoring. Not a resource hog either. I like it.
Cons: The scanning requires you to be present and deal with each problem individually...hard to let it run and do something else. But that is avoidable if you get the professional verson. Wish it were different, but It is free after all.
Summary: I have used this product on several computers over the past few years...and many of my friends use it also. I have never heard of anyone getting a virus. It updates VERY often automatically, so there is nothing to think about. It has, I think, se... read more >>
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Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros: ease of use, no-problem updates, lightweight in the PC performance
Cons: no cons, maybe it would be even easier if the license would be longer
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Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
"Fills my needs in antivirus protection"
Pros: Easy to install and updates are automatic
Cons: There isnt anything I dislike
Summary: Th fact that it updates automatically
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Version: Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169
Pros: Daily automatic updates. Effective scanner. Also Avast's tech support is among the best and is available for users of the free version, not always the case with freeware programs. Registration is required for all versions but it's quick and easy.
Cons: I'd like to see a faster virus scanner. It can take a very long time to complete a scan of even a medium size hard drive.
Summary: Proven highly effective anti-virus. Always well reviewed at tech sites.
- See all 4 user reviews Write review
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