Avast Antivirus Review – Is it a Reliable Antivirus Service?

By Conner Sinclair | Antimalware

Last Updated on

review of avast antivirusAvast is an antivirus protection application developed in 1989. The newest program known as Avast Free antivirus 2014 underwent a complete interface makeover with a simplified Shield design that helps users to easily locate the status of PC security, as well as configuration settings for the Avast program.

Avast is a free antivirus program that has maintained quality ratings since its development 25 years ago. The previous interface offers eight different real-time Shields that made it somewhat bewildering to determine PC status and locate configurations.  Avast narrowed this down to three succinct Shields designed to be user-friendly.  The Shields include Mail Shield, File System Shield, and Web Shield to simplify the interface and make it easier to locate different features. Below you will find the key features of Avast Antivirus.

Top Features

In addition to the new Shield design, Avast is also redesigned with three large icons that provide access to key antivirus features.  There is also a fourth option labeled Add to enable you to add frequently used and favorite features.

  • Right click on any of the large icons to swap it out for more frequently used tools.
  • Application is designed to be miserly with system resources.
  • Settings that are important are specifically pre-configured for inexperienced users with advanced settings for more knowledgeable users.
  • Virus definition updates install automatically with the option to install updates manually.
  • Sandbox features allow you to open downloads without harming your PC.
  • SafeZone provides a secure environment for banking and online shopping portals through browser isolation in a separate desktop.
  • Convenient Software Updater automatically checks for updates to installed software, browsers, and Internet applications such as Adobe programs.
  • Web Shield application blocks and quarantines malware from infected websites with new DeepScreen scan.
  • Boot-time scan automatically runs before Windows is completely loaded to prevent malicious startup processes.

Feature Comparison

Avast offers a 3-tiered service option, each offering progressively more enhanced features. To help clear up the key differences, I’ve highlighted them in a table below:

 Avast AntivirusAvast Internet SecurityAvast Premier
Antivirus + Malware ProtectionYesYesYes
Home Network Security ScanYesYesYes
Browser CleanupYesYesYes
Online Banking ProtectionNoYesYes
Firewall ProtectionNoYesYes
Anti-Spam Email ProtectionNoYesYes
Automatic PatchingNoNoYes
PricingFREE (see here)$39.99 (see here)$49.99 (see here)

Pros and Cons of Avast Antivirus

Avast has received positive scores from independent testing sites such as AV-Comparatives. Here are a few pros and cons to provide you with more insight on Avast.

Pros

  • Included Browser Cleanup feature scans your browsers for potentially malicious add-ons and toolbars.
  • Rescue Disk tool allows you to create a rescue disk to restore the operating system in the event of infection.
  • New user interface is easy to understand and use.
  • Nice selection of features for malware cleanup.
  • Ability to install when you boot Windows in Safe Mode.
  • Automatic updates (keeps up to date without prompting)

Cons

  • Malware blocking can be more comprehensive.
  • Malware protection sometimes blocks legitimate software applications.
  • Phishing protection could use some additional work (some competitors are better)

Price

Avast Free Antivirus is of course, free.  To take advantage of the premium features, it is necessary to upgrade to Avast Pro Antivirus for $39.99 to cover one PC for one year.

You can opt to sign up for different services options, each with various pros and cons (and pricing differences). They break down like this:

avast pricing plans

The bottom line is Avast Free Antivirus 2014 offers decent protection for your home PC with a simple user interface and bundle of extra features. However, if you require stealthier protection, it is wise to choose Avast Pro Antivirus. See below for our Avast Antivirus rating.

Get Started with the FREE Version

Avast Antivirus

review of avast antivirus
7.9

Ease of Use

 8.0/10

Malware Protection

 8.8/10

Phishing Protection

 6.5/10

Additional Features

 7.8/10

Industry Love

 8.5/10

Pros

  • Well liked in the industry
  • Strong malaware protection
  • Can install and use in
  • Excellent free version

Cons

  • Can block legitimate programs
  • Hard to adjust settings to allow programs
  • Weak phishing protection
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About the Author

Conner is a self-professed tech nerd, obsessed with digital security and privacy. He loves debugging "lost causes" and thwarting hackers. When not in his depressing cubicle in Corporate America, he's blogging here.