In Windows 8, Microsoft reinforced the Windows firewall by expanding its features, added virus protection, device performance checking, apps & browser control, parental controls, etc. and relaunched the software as Windows defender promising that with this pre-installed software, you won’t need to install any antivirus.
After Windows 8, 8.1 released and then Windows 10 and with them, new versions of Windows defender arrived but even after years of improvements, do you believe that Windows Defender is strong enough to protect your PC? It’s way better than Windows firewall but the software isn’t even close to the standard of virus & spyware protection that antivirus software are providing for years. Windows defender can identify very few virus, spyware and PUPs. It lacks quick, custom, scheduled and boot time scanning. Neither the performance tools it provides are strong enough to take on tune-up utilities.
So, the thought of depending on Windows defender thinking that it will keep you protected from all latest viruses, spyware, adware, PUPs and privacy threats is plain stupid. You need a good antivirus and if you can afford, you should have the best antivirus available right now to keep sensitive data available on your PC protected. And that’s why more and more people are installing Avast antivirus.
Like Sophos and Avira, Avast offers full antivirus protection for free. Avast Security Pro (for Mac) costs $59.99 per year for one license or $69.99 for three. The Pro edition adds ransomware. Based on in-depth testing, our Avast Free Mac Security 2018 review gives you everything you need to know. We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising. AV-TEST awards high marks to Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Security for Mac. We use cookies and similar technologies to recognize your repeat visits and preferences, to measure the effectiveness of campaigns, and improve our websites.
Available in both free and paid versions, Avast antivirus surpasses the Windows defender and challenges many popular antivirus software through its free version only and with the addition of premium features in its Internet Security, Premier and Ultimate versions, the antivirus software outpasses every other premium antivirus software available in the market.
Avast Free Antivirus
With a user base of over 400 million happy customers, Avast Free Antivirus is the most downloaded antivirus for past few years. The free version comes with all the standard antivirus features. You will get the top level of protection from viruses, ransomware, spyware, rootkits, trojan horses, malware, phishing and PUPs with real-time threats scanning in PC and on the network.
The software automatically scans every unknown file before it reaches you to ensure that your data is 100% secure. If it isn’t able to identify, it sends the suspicious file to cloud using the CyberCapture feature and the cure is sent to all avast users if it’s a threat. The Avast free antivirus uses multiple levels of security to keep you safe even from the newest, never-before-seen threats.
The interface is so simple and straight forward that you don’t need to even consult the manual or use software’s help. From the left hand side, click Protection to view all the important tools such as Scan, Virus Chest, WiFi Inspector, Software Updater, etc. Privacy & Performance consist of other important tools such as VPN, Password protection, Webcam Shield.
Below on the left, you’ll find the option to Upgrade your free Avast antivirus to Avast Internet Security, Avast Premier or Avast Ultimate protection. And at the bottom, Settings is provided to manage language, virus chest size, Scan settings, Popups, Sound, Alerts, etc. to personalize the antivirus according to one’s need.
Avast Internet Security Antivirus
Avast Internet Security is the first premium version of the antivirus which expands to provide online protection for a safer shopping, separate space to run suspicious apps without putting your PC at risk, advanced firewall to block eavesdropping of hackers and keeping eye on what goes in and out from the system, stop spam and phishing attacks and provide extra layer of ransomware security to keep your personal photos and file safe from unwanted changes.
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All of this at just $59.99 per year and you can get even more discount by paying for up to 3 years in advance.
Avast Premier Antivirus
The Avast Premier version is the most loved version among the customers who want total protection because with Avast Premier along with getting all the security benefits of Avast Internet Security, you will get essential webcam protection to prevent hackers from monitoring you via webcams, the feature to shred sensitive files so that they can never be restored and the auto-update feature for all the apps into your PC.
These additional features make up to you for just $79.99 per month
Avast Ultimate Antivirus
Avast Ultimate Antivirus, is not a separate premium version but rather a software bundle that comes with Avast Premier, Avast Passwords Premium, Avast Cleanup Premium and Avast SecureLine. Together all of these software not only provide the highest level of security but also easy password remember and protection, PC Clean up tool to remove junk space, empty RAM and make PC Fast. The Avast SecureLine included provides premium Avast VPN which not only allows you to browse internet anonymously but also to unblock websites & apps which are otherwise blocked in your geo-location.
The Avast Ultimate will cost $119.99 per year. PC Tune Up tools, VPN and Password protection tools are essential. If you use your PC more than a normal computer user and for comparatively more important tasks, you will need these software sooner or later. So, instead of going with other companies to purchase similar software, I recommend you to purchase Avast Ultimate software bundle because not only it will cost you very less but it also provides these tools with most powerful features and frequent updates just keep making them more and more amazing.
Editor's Choice
Kaspersky Free Antivirus
Kaspersky Free Antivirus delivers excellent protection with a moderate performance impact, but it has few extra features.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition continues to be the best set-it-and-forget option among free antivirus products.
Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus offers lots of extra features, but its malware protection is mediocre and it may collect your browsing history.
Windows users need a strong antivirus program to ward off malware attacks, to keep their computers running efficiently and to safeguard their online identities and personal information. The best paid antivirus suites have many features to protect children, manage mobile devices and monitor a computer's firewall, software updates and other features. But some users don't want, or can't afford, to pay for those extra features and may need to go with a free antivirus program.
If that describes you, you've come to the right place. We've evaluated the best free antivirus programs based on their malware protection, system impact, ease of use and useful extra features. If you're undecided, check out our free vs paid antivirus comparison first.
So which free PC antivirus product would be best for you? Of the seven free antivirus programs we've recently reviewed, Kaspersky Free Antivirus barely edged out Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition for the top spot. Both offer excellent protection against malware without slowing down your system, but Kaspersky lets you schedule scans and has a quick-scan option.
Bitdefender, however, is still the best 'set it and forget it' free antivirus option. https://heavystorage731.weebly.com/blog/how-do-i-inspect-the-chest-in-avast-for-mac. After installation, it takes care of itself and doesn’t need user intervention. If you need to put antivirus software on your grandparents' PC but don't have time to maintain it, this might be the perfect solution.
Both Kaspersky's and Bitdefender's products offer only the basics. If you want features such as a password manager or a hardened web browser, normally found in midpriced paid antivirus suites, then Avast Free Antivirus might be for you. But its malware protection isn't as good as the top two and its performance impact is heavier.
Latest Security Alerts and Threats
— A new browser exploit kit targeting Windows uses 30 different languages infects legitimate websites and tries to get visitors to install fake Adobe Flash, Google Chrome or font updates. When run, the 'installer' actually installs a remote-access tool. ADVICE: Use robust antivirus software and don't trust pop-up windows telling you to update Flash, Chrome or fonts.
— Apple patched a security hole that let you -- or a malicious website -- jailbreak an iPhone and install any kind of app, including potential malware. (This is not among the flaws that let several websites infect any iPhone.) ADVICE: Make sure your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch is updated to iOS 12.4.1.
— Diagnostic software loaded onto most Lenovo Windows computers made between 2011 and 2018 could be used to hijack a PC. ADVICE: Uninstall Lenovo Solutions Center from your Lenovo PC., and run Windows antivirus software.
Lean and meanKaspersky Free AntivirusReasons to Buy
Moderate performance hit
Reasons to Avoid
Kaspersky Lab doesn't advertise that it has a free antivirus product, and doesn't make it easy to find the download page. Too bad, because this is one of the best free antivirus products we've ever tested, with a no-nonsense but comprehensible interface, a light-to-moderate system-performance impact and Kaspersky's unbeatable malware protection. The only reason we're not giving Kaspersky Free Antivirus a 4.5/5 rating is because it offers no extra features.
No muss, no fussBitdefender Antivirus Free EditionReasons to Buy
Super-easy to use
Reasons to Avoid![]()
No quick scans or scan scheduling
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Like Kaspersky, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition offers nothing but the basics, and its malware protection is just as good, if a bit more prone to false-positive malware detections. Its scans are lighter on the system than Kaspersky's, but it offers fewer options — you can't even schedule a scan. It's best for users who want a set-it-and-forget-it security solution for themselves, or for a loved one.
Nearly a free suiteAvast Free AntivirusReasons to Buy
Highly customizable
Reasons to Avoid
Heavy performance hit
The malware protection in Avast Free Antivirus is a peg down from the top, but it's got the best assortment of extra goodies for a free antivirus program, including a password manager, a hardened browser and a network scanner. The program is also very customizable and offers limited access to Avast's VPN service. However, it caused a pretty heavy system load in our testing.
Finally good enoughMicrosoft Windows DefenderReasons to Buy
Built into Windows
Reasons to Avoid
Microsoft's built-in antivirus software has finally reached the big leagues. Windows Defender won't beat Bitdefender or Kaspersky in malware protection, but it holds its own against other free antivirus products while delivering a small system-performance impact and a surprising number of extra features, including parental controls and protection for all browsers. For the first time, we can recommend using Windows Defender as your primary antivirus solution.
Not enough oomphAVG AntiVirus FreeReasons to Buy
File shredder
Reasons to Avoid
Few extra features
AVG shares Avast's decent if unspectacular malware-detection engine while having a much lighter system-performance impact. But AVG AntiVirus Free has far fewer useful extra features than Avast Free Antivirus. The good news is that AVG's wide range of customization options and its file shredder are still available; the bad news is that there's no compelling reason to pick AVG over Windows Defender.
Not what it once wasAvira Free AntivirusReasons to Buy
Lots of add-ons
Reasons to Avoid
Most extra features are trialware
Avira Free Antivirus was the best free antivirus option just a few years ago, before Bitdefender and Kaspersky jumped into the ring and Avast, AVG and Windows Defender raised their game. Now Avira's malware protection is in the middle of the pack. Its numerous extra features are mostly just teases for paid services, and its system-performance impact is remarkably heavy. We do like that it's still got a wide range of customization options.
Has its ups and downsPanda Free AntivirusReasons to Buy
Moderate performance impact
Reasons to Avoid
No opting out of data collection
Panda Free Antivirus
Panda doesn't take part in every lab test whose results we use, so its malware protection is a bit of an enigma. We liked Panda Free Antivirus' high degree of customization options and its appealing interface. We didn't like the constant ads for other Panda products, the attempts to hijack your web browser, and the fact that unlike every other antivirus company, Panda won't let you opt out of automatic system-data collection.
Honorable Mention
Essential side pieceMalwarebytes Anti-Malware FreeReasons to Buy
Removes adware, other unwanted software
Reasons to Avoid
Manual definition updates
Malwarebytes Free Edition
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is not antivirus software. It's more of a malware-removal tool. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free can't protect a PC from infection, but it does an excellent job of cleaning out malware that's already on your system. Plus, it doesn't interfere with any antivirus software that's already installed. We recommend Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free as a complement to any antivirus program.
How To Use Avast Free Antivirus YoutubeHow We Tested
To evaluate installation, ease of use, interface and performance impact, we installed each AV program on the same Asus X555LA laptop, which ran Windows 10 and featured an Intel Core i3-4005U processor, 6GB of RAM and 36GB of data on a 500GB hard drive.
How To Use Avast Free For Mac 2018 Football
We conducted our own tests on how much each antivirus product affected our laptop's performance, using our custom OpenOffice benchmark. We timed how long it took to run a quick scan and a full scan while the laptop crunched numbers in the background.
Avast internet security free for mac. We also assessed how easy each program was to use, the number of useful extra features it offered (including free add-on software) and how insistently each program nagged us to upgrade to paid software.
How To Use Avast Free For Mac 2018 Holiday
Our malware-detection data comes from four evaluation labs: AV-TEST in Germany, AV-Comparatives in Austria, SE Labs in England and our own lab in Utah. Each lab regularly tests major antivirus products for their abilities to detect zero-day malware and other threats.
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