Avast’s free antivirus software has a powerful set of tools and features that make it one of the most popular choices for novice users. Despite some controversy regarding the suite’s session- and data-logging, (and subsequent sale of consumer browsing habits by an affiliate) Avast has an advantage over its competitors when it comes to detection of malware. The obligatory initial scan performed as part of the installation process is an excellent option, and sets up the suite to utilize its native tools efficiently.
All Avast plans are available for Windows, macOS, and Android, and they all include a generous 30 day money-back guarantee. The upgrade to one of the premium plans unlocks a range of extra tools including an advanced firewall, anti-phishing security and an automatic VPN. It also gives you the Rescue Disk, a secure browser for online transactions and banking, an advanced anti-tracking security, and a set of quality tools for optimizing your system.
One of the more useful tools is Avast’s Smart scan, which is a more thorough and faster option for checking your computer for problems. While it’s a great tool, my tests did show some glitches when trying search for specific types threats such as ransomware. These can hold selected files indefinitely and demand payment for their return.
Avast also offers a web cleanup tool that is able to clean browsing histories, caches and cookies from all major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Opera Brave, Edge and Internet Explorer. This is a simple, effective tool, however, it’s not as many options for customization or privacy settings as other competitors.