10-second breakdown:
Avast Pro is a great antivirus program (amongst other things) that has the ability to keep itself up to date. It’s the perfect solution for advanced users that also provides good protection and lots of useful features.
The good:
One of the coolest features with Avast’s Pro version is the sandbox. Essentially, when you see a program that is questionable; you can test it to see if it means harm to your computer. You simply load it into the sandbox and see if there are any malicious properties. If so, it doesn’t effect the system. If not, you just download the program as usual.
There is a password manager to help you keep all of your data just a little bit safer. However, it is a younger feature and does have limited functionality to other software and dedicated third-party password solutions.
Avast Pro had some impressive lab test results in both the malware and antiphishing tests. With their on-demand full sweep of your system you can be sure that your computer is safe.
The bad:
Some of the additional features require a separate fee after you purchase the pro antivirus software.
Finding malware is slower than other software options, but it’s not upsettingly time-consuming.
How it works:
Avast does things a little differently, it draws customers in by offering a completely free version you can use for both personal and business use. The catch is that it doesn’t cover all of your bases, while it offers basic protection it leaves a few holes, especially in your web browser.
All versions of Avast offer a full on-demand sweep of your system and live protection from viruses. While the results weren’t groundbreaking, Avast scores solid grades from all of the independent labs that tested out their suite. They nearly scored a perfect in one or two tests but a false positive bumped them down a notch. Still, compared to a lot of the competition, Avast is no slouch.
In a live test, Avast performed valiantly, earning the second highest rating and keeping the test system very secure against attacks in the wild. Avast is capable of removing existing malware on the system and blocking malicious files from initiating.
Avast brought home a great report card for browser protections. This is where the free version loses its luster, only paid plans get these features. Avast’s ‘SafeZone’ browser is a web browser that has security built into its core. It has integrated anti-malware protection, specialized browsing modes for shopping or handling sensitive data and ad-blocking built right in.
Recently Avast Pro came out with a ‘Nitro Release.’ It’s a major overhaul that has begun to use the cloud in virus sweeps. Although it’s too new to be fully tested, early indications are that the future is bright – Nitro cuts down on scan times and decreases the rate of false positives while increasing malicious program detection.
In addition, Avast released their own ‘CyberCapture’ technology in the Nitro update. CyberCapture boosts your real-time protection. Unknown files are sent to the Avast Threat Labs to be analyzed by trained experts and it’ll quarantine files if they are dangerous.
The Pro versions of the program also come with a built-in sandbox for you to play around in. It’s used for programs that you’re unsure of, you can launch them in their own isolated area, the sandbox, before installing it on your main system. If you and Avast don’t detect any unusual activity, great you can install it without worrying. If you do discover there’s something foul going on, you can delete the entire sandbox and your system isn’t any worse for wear.
There’s also additional firewall protection built into the Pro versions, it constantly investigates and potential issues to your router or network and locks away any threats before they can do any damage.
There are two downsides to Avast to keep in mind. First, although the protection is solid, Avast is a little slow to react to new forms of malware, taking a slight bit longer to update virus definitions than the competition. In addition, scans can take quite a bit longer than you would expect. It’s best to let a scan run while you’re not actively working on your computer, especially if you have an older model.
Unlike most competitors on this list, Avast offers a free version to try out for as long as you like. It’s lacking in some essential protection though like browser support, so they hope you upgrade to paid plans. All of the paid tiers have a free trial so you can sample the goods, in fact it’s easier to download the samples off of the website than it is to outright purchase the software – Avast clearly wants you to give it a try first.
The first paid tier is Avast’s ‘Pro Antivirus.’ It starts at $34.99 for one user and a one-year term. Pro includes all of the basic features you expect to keep you secure like virus scanning and real-time protection, browser protection and the CyberCapture technology.
Next up is the ‘Internet Security’ package. It will set you back $39.99 for one user on a one-year term and goes up from there. It includes everything Pro offers and adds additional protection from hackers as well as an anti-spam filter for your email.
Last in line is the ‘Premier’ package. It’s $49.99 for one user and one year. Premier offers everything the other packages crammed in but includes automatic software updates to offer even greater hacker protection and a secure shredding bin, so when you get rid of a file it really is gone.
Although it has a slight weakness to new forms of malware, Avast Pro is a solid choice that will keep you amply defended and has the ability to maintain itself in the background – no muss, no fuss.
For complete rankings of all antivirus software, go here.
http://authority.org/antivirus-software/avast-pro/ http://authorityorg.tumblr.com/post/150113607197
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