Avast’s free software provides the best protection against malware. The paid versions, such as Avast Premium Security, provide many additional features to protect your device. This includes the VPN service, Wi-Fi inspector and more. In AV-Comparatives Real World Protection Test, Avast scores among the top products available in this particular category.
Avast detected a variety of threats quickly and efficiently during our tests. The scan was completed in just 6 minutes and 50 seconds which is impressive considering it scanned close to 2 million files.
In terms of false positives, we were shocked to learn that Avast was frequently flagging certain applications as infected. In our tests the program identified legitimate applications five times when it detected malicious programs during system scans on Windows, a figure that is two more than the industry average. The positive side is that this is only a minor issue and you can send a file to an examination to correct the issue when Avast wrongly flags it.
Avast provides a solid knowledge base, with solutions to common problems. There are also options for direct email or phone support. A paid subscription provides parental control and password management to the program. Avast also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for its paid services, which makes it easy to test the program before purchasing.