Avast is among the most well-known brands of antivirus software, with its free program providing a solid foundation of security against malware. The paid versions, particularly Avast Premium Security, provide numerous 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 offerings in this category.
Avast identified a variety of threats swiftly and efficiently during our tests. Additionally, the full scan took only 6 minutes and 50 seconds to complete which is impressive considering the fact that it scanned around two million separate files.
In terms of false positives, we were slightly disappointed to learn that Avast was prone to flagging certain programs as malicious. During our testing the program flagged legitimate applications five times as such during system scans on Windows, a figure that is two times higher than average for the industry. The good thing is that this only happens in rare cases and you can send a file for analysis to fix the problem when Avast mistakenly flags it.
Avast offers a solid knowledge base that provides assistance for common problems as well as direct email and phone support options available. If you’re looking for an additional level of security can select an annual subscription that includes parental and password management controls to the program. Avast also offers a 30-day refund guarantee for its paid services, making it easy to test them before purchasing.