Avast32 7.7

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 Avast32:

Publisher's description

From Alwil Software :

Avast32 is an antivirus program for Windows 95/NT. It provides a resident scanner, a behavior blocker, and a data integrity checker. The resident scanner contains a virus analysis collection of more than 30,000 infected programs. Variable thread setting allows for either superfast scanning or ultralow NT overhead.

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