AVAST YEE VIRUSES. (Avast 4 Home Edition)

Member Name: thingywhatsit

Product:	Avast 4 Home Edition
Date:	21/01/06 (1416 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Super program with good backup for non business use.

Disadvantages: Not offered to business users.

I have been having quandries about Anti Virus software, because my Norton software was fighting with my AOL software, and in the end neither worked correctly. I know that Norton have a good reputation, although since having XP and being able to see clearly what space was used by which program, I thought that not only was Norton a little too greedy on space, but that half the time, the updates were time consuming and that when it did find things, it didn't always know how to fix them.

That may not be totally fair, but it was costing me money, and with the never ending conflicts between AOL and Norton itself, I got thoroughly fed up and decided it was time for a change.

AVAST

Avast was introduced to me by my Computer shop, who told me that they have used it for a long time, with no reason to complain. It is downloaded in a few minutes, and all the program at its most basic level asks you to do is to register that you are using it. You pay NOTHING for the downloadable version, and it really is easy and protects your computer from harm. Registering is not straight away after the download. After having received updates for approximately a month, you are asked to register, and it is wise to do so, since your use of the program in an up to date manner depends upon registration.

The registration is simple and does not ask too much of the user, and let's face it, if you are using and trusting their software, giving them your details is the least you can do as a thankyou.

AVAST 4

I am unfamiliar with predecessors to this program since mine has always been Avast 4. What it offers you is protection from the following :

Viruses that come in mail through Outlook Express.
A shield for P2P sharing of files.
A standard shield against harm whilst surfing and
A web shield.

Each of these can be programmed to your requirements, i.e. deciding if you want Normal, High, or a customized experience. Personally, the P2P protection is essential to me as a user, and I like the fact that I can personalise, although find that the customization is easy and well explained so that even a nunce like me can understand it.

What do you see as a user ?

What you see is a reassuring round icon that tells you whether your Avast is working or not, and another icon next to it that lets you do a PC check at any time to see if any infections have sneaked onto your computer. The Virus Recovery Database searches through your files, and is able to recognise and repair viruses that you have in your system, which makes me feel very secure. Running regular checks is essential to anyone who uses the Internet.

Updates.

Here we have a funny part of the program that always amuses me. Every time you go onto the Internet, the program searches for updates. This is essential since new viruses are being created all the time, and having an up to date protection is essential. When the updates are found and downloaded, a little square appears at the bottom of the screen and a very American male voice tells you that the database has been updated. It always makes me jump and I should be used to it by now. Unlike with Norton, I don't have to reboot my machine straight away, and the updates come in smoothly without interrupting whatever I am doing on the internet, although a very small slow down is noticed at the beginning of surfing which is tolerable, and certainly not as cumbersome as the updates from Norton.

Instructions and help.

Help files are extremely well explained and I have found them to be useful in my understanding of how the program works. A neat little help screen where you can type keywords for your search makes finding out about Avast simple to use and user friendly even for the least technical of people.

Friendly with both Internet explorer and Mozilla and other browsers.

This program works, no matter which browser you use, and I use both Internet Explorer and Mozilla.

Using the program in general.

Half the time, you are unaware of this program humming around in the background. It does its work, and the only time it bothers you is if it has something to tell you, i.e. that your updates are complete. As soon as you go onto the Internet, it moves into action, and the factor of protection it gives me makes me a happy surfer, and I have more confidence in this program than I ever had in Norton or McAffy, because they are not trying to sell me protection. It is free, and so do not need to keep reassuring me that I need their services, as Norton and other virus programs do and then asking me for money.

I believe this program to be a gem. The fact that I have a shield gives me extra comfort, and I like the fact that the manufacturers don't mind daft questions, and answer promptly, as they did on the one occasion I wanted to ask them something. Their response was quick and reassuring. I wanted to know how a program such as this, with such a good reputation, could be free, and it seems that their other packages for professional people actually finance users like you and me, who are happy with the package they have provided for home users, and this particular package is for just that, home use.

This is a superb program and works with any version of Windows from 98 onwards, and certainly gives me no problems with Windows XP. At the moment, it uses 39 MB of space, which is half of that which was used by Norton.

So what does the world say about it ?

Avast has been nominated for the Secure Computing Awards beating its rivals and believe it that the competition is stiff and that there are many programs who are contenders, and with my experience and the worlds specialists in the field of computer safety behind this product, I don't believe there can be any element of doubt about the efficiency of the product. It is superb, and it is FREE OF CHARGE.

Summary: A superb alternative.

Variety of features:
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