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99 out of 108 people found this review helpful
5 stars
Version: Avast Home Edition 4.7.827
"better than AVG free edition. easy to learn and efficient."
Pros: computer: PIV 2.6ghz 1G ram (xp) IE 6.0
to tell you honestly, i was caught between avg free ed. and avast 4 home-- both progs. are free, but there must be a winner.
1)unlike avg free edition, avast! is dial-up friendly. if you're using dial-up, I say this is for you. the updates are lightning fast--mostly 33~45 seconds just after you got connected to the i-net.
2)avast! just like avg free edition, can create a snapshot of your system setings/configurations. but avast! can also create a backup of your original system file--the original one that was installed during your windows installation and keep it safe from any change/damage. in case your system files got mangled, avast can replace it with the virgin system file. (VRDB--virus recovery database)
3)avast! just like avg, gives protection to:
internet mail
instant messaging
P2P apps.
network shield
outlook/messenger shield
web shield
standard shield
4)you can reconfigure the setting so it can adapt to your computer status.
5)just like avg, this one is also free of any charge and with frequent updates.
Cons: now, what I didn't like:
1)if you would click into that "i" icon in the system tray (this icon is for the VRDB function)you would notice your sytem tray arrow icon that looks like this < (enclosed in a circle). this arrow button/icon, the one that you use to show or hide any inactive icon/service, gets screwed in figure to something like a ladder so all the icons are literaly "showed up". you'll have a long pile of icons on your system tray. after sometime, the arrow button gets back to normal.
2)it has some incompatibility issues with Zonealarm firewalls/products. well, i think zonealarm doesn't want you to use **another** product--somekind of professional jealousy.
3)that comment about system resources is a valid one. I have observed a slight slow down during internet opening(opening only)and a slight RAM consumption.
that's all that I have noticed after a month long of use. before i write any review, i make sure they are sufficient and unbiased. those stories of system instability that are posted by some reviewers are quite *unseen* on my monthlong observation. i haven't had any headache with this software. to be fair, I also recommend AVG free edition. it works very well against viruses, a tough working dog. avast is just one point greater than AVG---an almost tie. good luck and happy downloading.
(my many thanks to grisoft-AVG and alwil-Avast for their kindness to give free progs)
- 8 replies to this review
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this day, I have installed avg on one of my computers, just to test which one would catch this W32 trojan. (ravmon.exe in disguise)
well, both of them (avg / avast) did their job this time.
I wonder why avast missed the incoming trojan before(??)
It could be my fault:
*I accidentally installed the trojan (manually)thru a bundle
*I have allowed the file unconciously
but I, from the very start, have not ignored any reports/warnings about viruses or trojans... so I haven't missed that part.
haayy...
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that's particularly right.
the combinations of all the programs would spell the performance of your system.
one thing more, avast, today, had missed a W32 trojan-- in the form of Ravmon.exe.
so, minus 1 point avast. a sad part.
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Jomar, a good comparison with AVG.
I had to uninstall AVAST as it was preventing me from sending and recieving e-mail via my Opera browser.
It also has some unresolved issues with Zone Alarm.
I also notice that the full scan take 4 times as long as AVG's!
Interestingly my mother has Avast, Zone Alarm and Opera, but hasn't experienced the same problems that I have with Avast.
I guess how a program reacts with your set up depends on what other software programs you have on your particular set up.
I've not had such issues with AVG though so me AVG wins!
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up to now, my systems are well tuned and safe from any virus/trojan. It has been 5 months since I tried avast and I ain't got any problem until now.
I could only comment on the partial slowdown during log-on/opening of the internet and computer start-up.
well, that's it. happy downloading!!
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Having been in the A.F. for 14 yrs, I learned to critique classes, seminars, etc with constructive critisism. Your review is one of the VERY few that is thought out after using the product fairly.
AVG has been in my system for a number of years with good results after Norton didn't catch viruses 3 different times. I've not used Avast, but due to your review, I will try it out also. I will be looking for ease of use for those friends whose systems I work on. I have been using AVG for them.
I do agree with you, both companies, Grisoft and Alwil need to be commended and thanked for placing FREE programs out for the public to use!
MTLaura
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see above
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thanks for the comment. anyway, all of my post here are written out of observation/experience. I have not posted any review about something that I haven't tried yet. I always do the trial/observation routine before I give any comment about softwares. as far as AVG and AVAST are concerned, hats off to them!!!
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as someone that helps many friends with pc problems. it seems zonealarm is causing it's fair share of conflicts. luckily, if you're using xp with sp2 behind a router, the built in firewall is good enough, besides, there are other good free firewalls available. i loved your review, i'm an avg fan, but your review deserved high marks
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