Avast antivirus comes with a wonderful array of features in an easy-to-use package. In my tests the malware engine got an excellent score. Its web security was also effective in catching phishing websites which slipped through the default detectors of Chrome and Firefox systems. The performance scanner performed well in keeping its impact on system speed to a minimum. Avast’s performance scanner was more efficient than any other program in the reduction of CPU usage.
Avast also provides a variety of other tools. This includes a password manager as well as an VPN (exclusive to Avast One), a photo vault, as well virtual data room providers as a data breach monitoring feature. The security toolkit also comes with an application sandbox and an internet scanner to look for weaknesses.
If you ever run into trouble, Avast’s support website provides a complete knowledge base. Its search function makes it easy to find answers to frequently asked questions. If you’re not able to find the answer, Avast’s forum is a great way for assistance from other users.
While Avast claims that it no-longer sells user data but its past history of doing such a thing is still fresh in the minds of many users. In January 2020, PCMag and Motherboard revealed that Avast sold the location and other information of its users to third party companies through its Jumpshot subsidiary. Avast has recently stopped this practice, and is now asking users to opt-in during new installations of its desktop AV software. The privacy policy of the company states that data from consumers is ”stripped and de-identified” before being shared with third parties.