Avast is among the most popular antivirus programs for PCs. It protects against ransomware and other malware including bots, spyware and Trojans. It also includes numerous useful tools, including a password manager, and VPN. The program has the ability to lock your device that aids in locating lost devices and protects your data from being accessed by unauthorized users. It uses a behavioral analyzer to detect new threats and can run a system scan with a single click.
The malware detection capabilities of the program are not flawless and takes a while to complete system scans. This makes it less than ideal for users who are busy. Its heuristic approach to analysis isn’t as advanced as top software and may result in find more false positives. Sandbox technology isn’t nearly as effective as those of other competitors, however it does work effectively enough to keep the majority of malware off your computer.
Despite these issues the app still offers solid data, Wi-Fi and Ransomware protection. You can adjust your settings and add additional exceptions to scanning rules, while the application’s Scan Central and Online Security web extensions make it easy to manage and locate all of your security features.
Upgrade to the paid plan of Avast and you’ll be able to take advantage of a variety of additional features. This includes an heuristic scanner that runs your files on an isolated system in order to identify more sophisticated malware and a privacy advisor that can help you modify your account settings for Facebook, Reddit and Twitter to protect your privacy. You’ll also get a PC speed-up, a secure Web browser, and a password management.